Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1859-08-18
The FaIIs--.MOns. BlOndia's Fourth
Crossing.

Niagara fallS was SWarmlDS nlve !
again yesterday, filed and overflow
ing with the immense throng of peo-
pie, collected to witness the fourth |
repetition of Mons. BlOndin's dar-
ing feat of crossing the chasm upon a |
cable stretched between the cliffs.
The crowd gathered was almost, if
not quite, equal 10 that assembled on |
any former occasion; aud the gather
ing surpassed all the previous exhi-
billions TO the same character.
! From this city we should Judge
that the attendance was greater than
at any time before; and from Roshes- |
ter and other places in the vicinity,
on both sides of the line, it could |
not be much, if any less. All the
seats and stand places within view
along the bank in the pleasure
grounds upon this side of the river
were crowded, and the enclosure up
on the Cacada side WAS better filled
than upon aay other occasion.
Mons. Blondin rode into the pleas
ure grounds on this side about half
past 4 o'clock and started upon his
aerial journey after a few moments Of
delay in preparation. His trip across
to the Canadian shore was accom-.
plished quickly, as he proceeded at
a tripping pace mos. ofthe distance,
and only paused a few seconds oc.
casionally 70 correct balance and
obtain slight rest. All of his feats
be reserved for the return journey.
| Arrived at the Canadian bank, he
refreshed himself little, and took q
rest Of perhaps fifteen minutes, when
be again stepped npon the rope and
tripped down the slant, airy plane;
toward 1.-THE land Of the free and the
home of the brave" When about
half way to the center, be stopped
and sat down, then stretched him
self at full length upon the rope,
then performed a number Of daring
antics, and finally stood upright up
on his head, remaining in that re-
versed position for length Of time
which seemed a moment at least,
swinging and kicking bis feet in the
most reckless though ludierous
manner that can be conceived of.
Resuming his journey, he proceed
ed but a little way when he again
halted and repeated bis performance,
with the addition of backward SOM
ersault, end one OF two sudden swings
around the rope, which caused a gen.
eral hu.ter among the hearts Of the
spectators, and brought little screams
from many Of the ladies.
Starting forward again he proceed.
; ed to the open space in the center,
, between the extre me guy ropes that
branch of to either bank, where the
: cable spans the gulf without stay or
accompaniment. Here be paused
again, and laying bis pole upon one
: OF the guy roPes-he swung himself
under the cable and ran across the
central space Ct single cord, in the
, style Of monkey; hanging beneath,
t and swinging himself by his hands
and feet, with great rapidity. Co.
ing back in the same gymnastio man.
ner, when he had returned to the
: point where bis pole rested, he began
aseries Of performances which out
did in thrilling aud startling effect
upon the nerves of the spectators, ali
that be hap done before.
Clutcbing the rope with his hands
he swung his body clear from it, and
hung fer lengthy period, Of more
than seconds, suspended by the arms.
and by one aim, over the fearful
depth Of the chasm. Then he re-
peatedly turned such somersault
: as is familiar to boys, throwing his
} feet over bis head and between his
arms, and hanging with the shoulder
J Joints in most unnatural position.
) Then he Strengthened his body into
a horizontal position, still suspend
ed by the arms, thrown backwards as
described-an eXertion requiring
immense strength, and calculated to
exhaust the nervous system tremon-
dously. After this be suspended
} himself by the legs, and by one SIN
! Gle leg, head downward - whirled a
round The rope-tnrued more SON.
ersaults = stood upon his head again;
and, in fact, performed all the most
reckless feats attempted by tight
rope performers under ordinary cir
cums,snces. Twice again before
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