Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1870-02-24
Sam Patch's Last Leap.

THE Elmira N.Y. Gazette has recently
published some extracts from paper
printed in that village forty yeeIs ago.
Among them are the following,
relating to Sam Patch, who made his last
leap over the Genesee Falls, at Rochester,
November 10, 1929:
THE LEAP AT NIAGARA FALLS.
October 10, 1S20-Sam made a big
leap from Biddle Stairway, at Niagara
Fails. His success was announced in an
extra, which appears in the Gazette Of Oc-
tober "a, and is as follows:
WHITNEY's EAGLE HOTEL, Az o'clock.
Sam has just made his great jump The
day was lowery AID rainy. However, the
number OF 300 persons assembled on the
Island to witness the feat; the Canadian
shore was crowded. To view the platform
erected tor the fearless Patch from Bid
die Stairway, did not appear so grand,
as the platform reached only about two
thirds the height of the bank but to des-
cend to the margin of the water, in the
gulf beneath, and there look Ep at the
perpendicular ladder, made you imagine
that it would require superhuman powers
to accomplish such an enterprise. Sam
assembled the ladder, and remained on the
top about ten minutes, resting himself
and adjusting himself for the leap,
during which time he was repeatedly
cheered by the spectators. At length he
rose every eye was bent intently on him,
he waved his hand and kissed the star
spangled banner that foated gracefully
over his head, and then precipitated him
self like an arrow into the flood below!
Twas a matchless and tremendous leap.
He very soon reappeared and swan to the
shore with great ease. Then 1t was that
a painful and unpleasant yet indescribable
sensation was driven from each breast, by
the flood of Joy which succeeded on seeing
that he was safe. Then 1t was that the
benumbing spell which had reigned mo.
ment or two from the moment he arose
on the platform, was broken by the burst
Of the voices of congratulation--all rushed
forward (who were below to take the
jumping hero by the hand; and the in
trepid Sam spoke to the first. "There's
no mistake in Sam Patch /" And by the
waving of handkerchiefs and the huzzas
Of the company, there was no mistake, for
with one consent they exclaimed, "This
is the real Sam Patch!' A gentleman
present, who assembled to the top of the
ladder, is of the opinion that but few could
imagine or appreciate the subimity ofthe
scene without they assembled the ladder,
which was rising Of 100 feet. Mr. Patch
crossed the gulf in the evening to see his
Canadian friends.
A little less than month afterwards the
jumping hero made his last leap, Novem-
hAr ~ Eu11
ter. The jump was only five feet more
than when he made his successful jump
above described. The account of Mr..
Patch's fatal leap is as follows:
SAM PATCHs DEATH.
ROCHESTER,, Nov. ID, 1899.
Sam Patch Is no more He made his
last leap from a scaffold erected on the
bank of the falls this afternoon. The
staging was elevated twenty-five feet. He
sprung fearlessly from it, and descended
about one.third of the distance as hand
some as he ever did He then evidently
began TO droop, his arms extended, and
his legs separated and In this condition
he struck the water and sank forever 1t
was fearful leap and fearfully it was ter
minated. The prevailing opinion is that
he became lfeless ere he reached the
water. He had drank fearfully in the
but was not apparently more
overcome than he was on Friday last. 1t
was truly solemn scene, where 80 many
thousands were witnesses to an immola-
ton, which had its origin only in an effort
to satisfy the craving appetite Of human
Sans last request, | under
stand, was that the funds collected should
be sent to his mother, If his adventure
should terminate fatally. His body has
not been found. The height of Genesee
Falls, from which he jumped, is 100 feet.
The staging was about twenty-five above
the Falls The distance which he des-
cended was, therefore, 1875 feet.
Strange rumors were atterward c.fcu-
ated that Sam was alive, having secreted
himself behind the sheet of water at the
Falls until darkness favored his escape.
A notice was even posted at the entrance
If the Arcade, In Rochester, stating that
ne would return at certain time and re-
ate his adventures at Ackers Eagle Tav-
,rn. But he never did 30. He failed to
ulfill the engagement. AS an admiring
bard walled out at the time
Though the trumpet Of fame great Sam Patch re-
calls,
lie has jumped his last Jump from the Gencses
Falls.