The Nevada Democrat., 1859-04-27
Daring Feat nj MISUNDERSTANDING ON sktlts
Above the Falls.

correspondent Of the Chicago Press gives
the following particulars Of the feat recsntly
accomplished by daredevil Yankee, who, for
wager Of 81 900, actually crossed Niagara
river, upon stills, between Goat Island and the
Falls: s-rs-sss,ss,.a q
One evening, not long ago, two persons we're
engaged in earnest conversation IN the Inter-
national Hotel, at Niagara. One Of them was
\ q gentleman from the South the other q ma
tive of Stoningson, Conn.,, named Andrew
Greenleaf, we'll known for his surprising feats
on stills, but who has adopted the name and
country of Signor Gaspar Moreli. The Sgaor
was speaking of his various astonishing feats
on stills. to which the Southerner listened in
credulously, till at last Signor expressed his
conviction that he could cross Niagara river
on stills. between Goat IslaEd aud the Niagara
FallsL The Southerner offered thousand dol
lars to fifty on the issue, which, to the astOnlsh
ment OF all was taken s lssg.a7 s. astfag
|. Panctually at the slime named Moreili appear
| ed, in line spirits and condition. \ He had with
| him pair OF stills about twelve feet long made
of wrought iron, fiat sharp edged and pointed
--shaped, 10 fact, almost precisely like dou-
Bile edged dagger. These were firmly lashed to
his legs, aud he walked towards the terrible
river with confident smile. The morning was
clear and cold, but be was attired very lightly,
ia dress not unlike that usually worn by pro-
fessioual gymnasts, At ten minutes past seven
he stepped into the water, which 10 another mo-
ment was boiling, surgiug and rushing beneath
his feet The boldest Of the lookers-on held bic
breath in suspense, as the daring man receded
from the shore He alone seemed unmoved,
and passed on slowly aud carefully, avoiding
the larger rocks which were made apparent by
the eddying current. His steps at first were
very short and carefully made but afterwards
became holder and longer.
The stilts, of course were placed 60 that the
current only struck against their sharp edges,
and producing but little effect but the danger
from the sunken rocks, and the conviction that
single false step would send him to death pro-
dued a feeling that was horribly painful. Once
or twice he seemed to lose his balance, and
sickening shudder ran through each one OF the
beholders. Recovering himself be still kept on
--still receded, until TO our straining eyes he
could scarcely be distinguished from The foam
ing waters. The middle of the river was at
tained at last hours seem 20 have fed, but It
was barely seventeen minutes since he left the
shore As he approached the deepest and most
dangerous part of bis route, the suspense be-
came more fearfuliy intense. No word was
spoken, except that one man offered another
five dollars for a momenta use of his lorgnette
which offer passed unheeded. Just as MOreili
reached the swiftest and deepest portion OF the
current, he seemed to totter--snk-he threw
up his armsl l closed my eyes. Opening them
q moment after, saw that he was still stand
ing. A few moments more and he had reached
the Canadian bank--and fell exhausted into the
arms of two men who were waiting for him.
At this hour q P. NJ he has nearly recov-
cred, and though still in bed receives the con-
gratulations of dozens of visitors who came
pouring in. He left the American shore 900
feet above the fall, and came out about 1000
feet above the Canadian. The money has al
ready been handed over to him, and all will
agree that II was fairly won.