Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1859-08-11
The Recent Terrible PerfOrmRBoe b
N. BIOndtn.
INTERNATIONAL HOTEL
NIAGARA FALLS, Aug. 4. 1859.

EDS. Cox: Precisely at half-past four
O'Clock. p. H., Mons. J.. +. Blondin appeared
upon the American end Of the two-inch rope,
which spans the chasm Of Niagara river, a
distance Of twelve hundred feet wide and one
hundred and eighty feet dep it Is only a short
distance below the mighty cataract, and at
that point, the current Of the stream Is very
impetuous and turbulent. He carried a bal
sneing pole thirty-nine feet long. and weighing
forty-nins pounds. He started of al a smart
trot, and continued that pace until be reached
nearly the center when a most thrilling scene
'ook place, for be was very suddenly brought
10 a stop BY one end Of his pole cat hing under
a guy rope, and il came nearly throwing him
of into the yawning abyss below, but BY his
presence Of mind and extraordinary strength
Of muscle, be quickly threw up his pole IN such
a position as TO bring himself to the center Of
gravity. Asuppressed cry q "Ohi God he's
gone,' murmured from the lips % thousands T;
every heart beat with fear for his safety some
turned away in utter despair: strong men
tremblea, and more than one lady swooned
away but to the astonishment Of all he stood
upon one leg, the pole in one hand, and waving
to the people on the American shore viii the
other then such & shout arose from 5000
people, az completely drowned the laundering
roar Of The mighty cataract. He then turned
himself round to the Canadian shore, and ran
the whole remaining distance without stopping
] AAn Ade AElNNAEl ue IE aLtNNEA HUN AlN ANNHH
with shout after shout from the assembled
masses on both sides Of The rive T; also from
h densely packed decks Of the Maid Of the
MIST" He travelled the whole distance $3.50
feet) in the short time Of i've minutes and thir-
ty-six seconds. He remained but a short time
on the Canadian side, but returned In a few
minutes.
He moved slowly along the slack rope, over
the dreadful chasm. but with a firm step and
! the aunearnura ~ rnuEFaura Whan about
one third ever, be lay down upon his back,
with the pole across bis chest. All Of a gudien
be turned a summerset backwards and then
forwards, then stood on his head. He then fas-
tened bis pole to the rope walked 20 the center
where it was free from guy ropes, and per-
formed the most daring feats mortal man dare
do or ever viii do. He swung 20 and fro BY his
hand, held himself in a horizontal position
beneath and at right angles with the rome, then
laying across the rope on bis stomach, initial
ing swimming, hanging byhis hands ard pass
ing bis body back and forth between his arms,
surung himsdf by ono hand, fnaliu, huug head
d~0rnuards suspended By his feet 0Hlg-and this
at the dizzy hight Of one hundred aud sixty
feet-below him the furious rapids, and the
foaming, roaring Of the mighty cataract before
his eyes. One continued cheer arose from the
immense crowds, which lasted for several
minutes, when be resumed his journey. and he
had nearly reached the American side when
be initiated the Feelings Of a drunken man. As
be stepped from the rope to terra frnta bis
progress TO his carriage was impeded for some
time BY the excited crowd, who wanted to
grasp him By the hand. He was called upon
for a speech, he merely said; 81 cannot speech,
but ] 60 across again on the 18th, oHd uiI
carry q mGn on ny back" He appeared 10 be
very much exhausted although he wore only
thin tights, the perspiration was streaming
down him, and when shook him br the hand
it felt remarkably damp, or, as Mr.. G. Edwart
Lester, of the London Tins, remarked 20 me,
wet, very wct-n
Il is a very general opinion that the man is
yet 70 be born who has the combination Of
nerve, muscle and power Of endurance % con-
pete with Biondin. You're, t..
ALBANY PACkHAM.
p. S--DEring he performance, a fatal scci-
dem happened 10 an ~Irshman, named Michael
NeriH; be slipped over the rocks on the Cana
dian shore, and was instantly killed. I saw
bis wife weeping bitterly as they were making
preparations 70 haul up his body BY ropes.
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