Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-09-15
THE GAZETTE.
FRIDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER -.
FEArs OF A TIGlIT ROPE PERFoRMER;-

FEATs OF A T1o11r ROPE PERFORMER
Correspondence of the New York World. T.
Reading Berks county, Pa, Sept, 7::-One Of
the most extraordinary and almost incredible
exhibitions of human intrepidity and daring
was last Monday, the 18th inst, witnessed by
the citizens of this place. 1t seemed to me to
equal if not surpass in thrilling and painful In
tereet anything ever attempted BY Sam Patch
or Blondin in their widest efforts. An lndl
yidual named Donaldson-a tight-rope walker
and magician as he styles hlmselt--Who had
on the previous Wednesday made balloon as
cension in the ordinary way 1.-THE first balloon
ascent of any kind he had ever made in his
life), repeated his performance on Monday last,
but this time with no basket attached to ms
balloon-nothing whatever, in fact, but com,
mon trapeze. Upon this he seated himself
with the greatest GOODNESS and composure, and
went floating away into space, to the astonish-
ment Of the large crowd which had gathered to
see him, but few cheers greeting hun, as the
spectators seemed spell bound with fear and
apprehension. After ascending to consldera-
bic distance he commenced throwing out q num-
tie hoop below the balloon, and which III the
clear atmosphere appeared like twinkling stars
surrounding the balloon, producing a most novel
anu pedSlub clcCl. Dul tuto huo hoehAuo ~
what followed At the height of some three
on his back on the bar Of the trapeze, and 60
ing through other fearful evolutions. lie
then deliberately slid from the bar head
downwards, and, catching himself by the
feet, remained suspended for several sec
onds in that awful position! The appalling
sight was one never to be forgotten BY those
who witnessed it. A thrill and low murnur
Of horror passed through the immense multi
tude. who were looking on with intenscst inter
est, and many hurried away from the sight
giddy and faint The daring eronant, how
ever, went through his evolutons successfully,
and, regaining his seat. went soaring rapidly
and steadily upwards. When at the height Of
three-quarters of mile he had the astounding
nerve to repeat his performance, which, at SO
great distance, could only be clearly visible
by the aid of glasses. What made this ascent
all the more hazardous is that the balloon is a
very small one, carrying but little ballast, and
with nothing but light anchor attached to
the hoop.
am glad to say that the pronant completed
his voyage safely, although he once or twice
seemed to he in considerable danger. The ira
peze struck the roof of Henry Connard's resi-
dence, on 9Th street, when Mr. Donaldson
made a skillful leap from the trapeze, and pre-:
vented collision. The balloon then assembled
and came down again on the other side OF the
road in field, and was about striking the TOP
of a tree, when Mr. Donaldson turned somer.
sau1t on the trapeze rope and prevented the
bar from catching in the tree. There is some
talk of our having repetition of this painful
exhibition during our fair next week, if the
authorities do not interfere to prevent it. 1t
really seems to me that they should, anu that
it is also the duty Of the leading press Of the
country to denounce such reckless aud unneces-
sary risk of human life for the mere gratifca-
ton Of morbid excitement.