Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1865-10-13
THE HERO OF NIAGARA-FKAT IN MID

THE HERO OF FEIAGARATFEAT IN MID
& Central Park, New York, on Saturday,
was the scene Of much excitement
Professor Lowe was about to make a de-
tached balloon ascension. This in itself
was sufficient to attract a crowd. But in
addition to this, Leslie, the ''hero of Mia
CARA" was advertised to perform on a rope
beneath the balloon, onethousand feet high.
This in itself was sufficient to ill Profes-
sor loves enclosure. From two to five
o'clock crowds swarmed in at the doors,
and at the time the ascension was stated
to take place not less than four thousand
people were inside, while the outside tick
ct holders numbered probably fifty thous-
and. On every rock, every mound, every
walk of the Park in the vicininity of the
balloon enclosure thousands were station
ed, anxiously awaiting the ascension. 1t
was of no use for the orchestra to depict
the hsrdships of HMoses in Egypt or the
raptures of beautiful Dreamr;" they
would not stir. 1t is said that patience
and perseverance overcomes all difficulties;
SO was it in this case.
At six P NJ, the air ship Urited States
having been made ready, Leslie, amid
deafeniDg cheers, made his appearance on
the platform in the dress Of harlequin
1t had been intended that the feats should
be performed at an elevation ofo thous-
and feet but the wind was so high Profes-
sor Lowe was compelled to abandon the
idea of any cable ascensions during the
day. In fact the Professor endeavored as
much as possible to dissuade Leslie from
appearing. The people was, there, they
expected to see Leslie perform, and he was
determined they should accordingly. I'm
willingly Prof Lowe consented to allow
him to perform under the balloon during
the detached voyage. M t e
Leslie is man of comparatively low
stature, not appearing opossess any ofthat
nerve one would expect from one who had
excelled the Frenchman Blondin. He is
twenty-eight years of age, was born in Troy,
N. Y, and therefore may justly be consid-
cred an American artist Although he
has crossed the falls of Niagara no less than
forty times, this was his first attempt as an
Eriel gymnast
At six o'clock p. M. the balloon United
States was cut loose from her moorings,
and with the Professor, Leslie and a gen.
tleman of voluminous beard and fashion
able outfit, as passengers, started amid the
vociferations of the spectators. When al
most two thousand feet high, the wind be-
ing strong, it rose quickly. Two ropes
were thrown from the balloon. In mo-
ment, and with daring almost miraculous,
Leslie threw himself from the car, catch
ing one of the ropes in his fall At such
a moment no one dared to speak; and at
this unprecedented hight the Yankee Blon-
din, as he has been dubbed, proved him
self the Yankee GODDARD.
His first feat was hanging by one hand,
when he changed his position and hung by
his feet for some time. Scrambling up
the ropehe next placed the loop under the
back of his neck, and there, swaying back
wards and forwards, he remained for some
time. His next feat was suspending him
self by the chin, and at this time he could
not have been less than. half mile high
In this position he dangled in, the air till
finally, when in the neighborhood Of High
Bridge, he struck an attitude, placing his
headin one loop and his feet in the other,
and in this horizantalp position allowed him
self to be toyed by the winds 500 s,i.sa /
Here the Professor insisted on his again
entering the earwhich he accordingly did.
In the car he relied for the first time the
danger of the feats he had performed.
At about seven P. NJ Professor Lowe
determined on affecting a landing, which
he did without difficulty, at the town of
Yonkers, about two miles from Mount Yer
non, and twenty miles north of New York.
The balloon landed on the property of E.
J. Dewitt Esq, who Hospitality welcomed
his angel yisitants. Thus has Mr.. Leslie
established his reputation as an accomplish
ed and daring gymnast- l