Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-03-28
0Nortester 1allp Spp.
ASTONISHING FEAT AT NIAGARA WALK
ING THE WHIRLPOOL UNDER FOOT!

ING THE WHIRLPOOL UNDER FOOT!
Since the fatal leap of the famous Sam Patch
no feat of daring has equaed the one recent
ly accomplished at Niagara Falls by Andrew
Greenleaf, of Connecticut A correspondent
of the Spirit of the Times gives the following
graphic account of it:
Gone evening, about a week ago, while sit
ting in the saloon of the international Hotel,
/ became interested in an animated conversa-
ton which was i'll progress between two per-
sons, of whom one seemed to be a Southerner
and the other an Italian. The latter had reg
istered his name as Signor Gaspa Moreli, but
have siuce learned that he is really a Yankee
boy that he was born and raised near Ston-
ington Connecticut, and dubbed by his affec-
Tomato parents Andrew Greenleaf As he
grew older, he was afflicted with an intense
desire to become a circus performer, and final
ly ran away from home to connect himself
with some stroling company. He was, for a
while, one of Baruum's immense "show,"
and his astonishing performances upon stills
will be remembered by thousands. He had,
before this time, assumed the name he now
bears, as well as to escape the fate of prophet
in his own country He is a handsome frank
looking man, aged about rs, has fair COM
plexion, and wears small black moustache
AT present he is staying here without an en-
gagement
The conversation referred to was discussion
upon the possible feats which might be accom-
plished by man upon stills Signor Morelli
las | will call him) asserted his ability to do
many things-a belief IN which required con-
siderable faith. The Southerner, who is a
well known sporting gentleman of New Or
leans evidently thought the Signor was lying
pretty hard, and, at his last announcement
he laughed long and loud. Morelli had, in
fact expressed his conviction that he could
cross the Niagara River, walking upon stills,
amid the foaming and unsounded rapids that
whirl between Goat Island and the Falls.
I'Il bet you a thousand dollars to fifty it
can't be DONE exclaimed the Southerner
accept the challenge answered Morelli,
quietly.
The establishment of his hearers at this reply
may be imagined.
When do you propose to attempt it? in
quired the challenger.
ON Saturday morning, the 18th of Febru-
airy, TRANQUILITY replied Gaspa.
The assurance with which he spoke filled
every one with surprise, which was not lessen
ed when he produced the money for his de-
post. The stakes were handed over to Mr.
Augustus Train, of Buffalo, and the company
separated, to await the result of this singular
wager. The interval was spent by Morelli in
constant exercise, for the purpose of strength
ening his limbs, somewhat relaxed by season
of rest His friends expostulated in vain
against the apparently insane hazard and even
proposed to return to him the amount he would
be compelled to forfeit. tie seemed sure of
winning, and would listen to no one To
avoid a crowd, it was announced that this at
tempt would be made on the 14th monday
instead of to-day; so that, at seven this morn
ing, there were only about 80 persons by the
river bank. Punctually at that hour Morelli
appeared, in fine health and spirits.
He had with him pair of stills about twelve
feet long, made of wrought iron, fiat, shap-
edged, and pointed-shaped in fact, almost
precisely like double-edged dagger. These
were firmly lashed to his legs, and he walked
toward the river with a confident smile. The
morning was clear and cold, but he was attired
very lightly in dress usually worn by pro-
fessional gymnasts. Atten minutes past seven
he stepped into the water, which, in another
moment, was boiling, surging, and rushing
beneath his feet. The boldest of the lockers
on held his breath in suspense, as the daring
man receded from the shore. He alone seem
ed unmoved and passed on slowly and care
fully, avoiding the larger rocks which were
made apparent by the eddying current His
steps at first were very short and carefully
made, but atterward became holder and long
er. The stills, of course, were so placed that
the current struck only against their sharp
edges, and produced but little effect but the
danger from sunken rocks, and the conviction
that single false step would send him to death,
produced feeling which was horribly pain
full. Once or twice he seemed to lose his bal
ance, and sickening shudder ran through
each one of the beholders. Recovering him
self he still kept on-still receded until, to our
straining eyes, he could scarcely be distin-
guished from the toaming water.
The middle of the river was attained at last ;