The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1873-10-14
Combat In Mid StruR-
gle on a Tight Rope.

Little did the tens of thousands OF
men, women and children, who thronged
the public square of Agram, Croatia,
on the 18th of August, anticipate that
they we're about to witness spectacle
such as has, perhaps, never been seen
before-a mortal struggle in midair.-
The occasion of the gathering was
performance on the tight-rope The
acrobats, Andreas Kolter and Francis
Pergowitch, were to appear on the rope,
which had been stretched from win
dow in an opposite house, a distance OF
$50 feet. The scrobats were to meet
midway, and then to pass each other
When the clock struck u, the acrobats
emerged from their respective windows
dressed in tights, and without balance
poles. Kolter walked rather cautiously,
while Pergowitch came to meet him
from the opposite direction, with ner-
vous,, quick step. At last they met,
and the suspense of the crowd under
meath changed the. next moment to a
feeling Of indescribable horror. Per-
gowitch suddenly uttered an angry ex-
clamation, and dealt Kolter terrible
blow on the head. Kolter staggered
and fell, but in doing so succeeded in
clutclIing the rope with one hand, while
with the other he grasped the left
leg of his assailant Pergowitch now
fell likewise, but passed his right arm
siound the rope, so that he hung upon
it in comparative security And now
began life-and death struggle. Kolter,
with his right hand, tried to drag Per-
gowitch from the rope, while Pergo
witch kicked Kelter with his right foot,
and with his left hand enGeavored to
loosen his antagonists hold. No one
was able to interfere, and the result, it
was easy to foresee, must be the death
of one or both the acrobats. Many
women tainted, while strong men wept
like children. What added to the gen
eral despair was the appearance of Kol
ter's young wife at the open window,
from which her husband few moments
before had set out upon his fatal walk
Her piteous screams were heard above
the din below, and her appeals to Per
gowitch to spare her husbands life
would have moved the heart of an
Apache. The struggle in mid air lasted
perhaps minute, when Kolter sudden
ly uttered last cry and lost his hold.
He fell to the ground, and striking it
violently and expiring Instantly. While
the people gathered round the cofpse
of poor Kolter, his murderer on the
tight rope managed to get on his feet
again. With a diabolical expression on
his face he uttered yell of triumph!
The Prefect of Police ordered Pergo
witch to surrender. In case he should
not do so within five minutes he would
be shot down like a dog. Finally he
raised himself to his feet and ran quick
ly to the Court House window, where
he surrendered, begging that he nigh
be protected from violence. There was
great danger of his being executed by
the people, who loudly clamored tha
the murderer be given up to them; bu
the military by bayonet charge cleared
1.-The public square, Pergowitch, beins
asked what caused him to perpetrat,
this crime, said that there had been
!, grulge between him and Kolter eve
since the latter had married young Ro
sta Serganoff, Polish girl of rar
beauty. Kolter, in fit of jealousy,h ,ha,
told him be knew one or the other O
them must die on this account. An
dreas Kolter was the youngest membc
of the distinguished family of acrobat
of that name.