Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-09-03
A LEAP FOR LIFE.


sam Patch Outdone by signor. Hal
Ienf nm ping into tho Rolling car.
rent of Niagara from - Hight OF
one Hundred and fifteen Feet. l
The Buffalo Express contains an ae-
count Of the feat Of Signor Balleni in
walking over Niagara river below the
Falls, and then Jumping from the rope
into the river. We give the following:
IL was found that the rope had not
been drawn tight enough, and men we:e
Immediately dispatched 70 fix il, which
was done, and at fifteen minutes TO five
o'clock the start was made. All action
and conversation was now suspended,
and every ones attention was given 10
the man on the rope, who marched along,
apparently with the greatest OF ease, TO
the music of the Drummondsville band,
which was stationed in front OF the Cliff
ton House. At six minutes TO five o clock
Balleni reached the middle Of the rope,
where he halted TO return his salutation
to the tremendous applause which greeted
his exploit. After resting himself for
brief period the Signor again started on
his tramp. fA"
This was the only stop made, aud ten
minutes after 8 o'clock the perambulist,
looking pale as death, had reached the
American end OF his rope, he having
made the trip in twenty-five minutes. He
complained of feeling very tired, in con-
sequence, he said, OF the extra exertion
in walking caused by the slackness Of
the rope. After another rest Of thirteen
minutes, Signor Balleni again took his
pole in hand, and was off to the middle
Of the rope, to make the great leap.
1t took him just six minutes to arrive
at the center of the rope, and when there
he at once began making preparations
TO Jump. While thus engaged he lost
his balancing pole, which fell into the
water and sank A cord six feet. long,
made of rubber bands, was attached TO
the rope, at a point just one hundred
and fifteen feet above the surface OF the
water. Balleni caught hold Of one end
Of the elastic cord before the spectators
thought he was ready to go. lie de-
scended like an arrow, and the recover
ing snap of the rubber was almost sim
ultaneous with the loud splash of his
fall in the water.
"Is he alive9' were the words breath
lessly spoken by the crowd Of excited
people as they looked nervously over the
banks into the water below. To be sure
he was, and no sooner was the splash
heard than the head Of the Signor came
peeping ont of the water, and he struck
out vigorously and heartily to the boat
which was there to pick him up. lie
was quickly hauled into the little craft,
carefully wrapped up with heavy blan-
kets, and rowed to the shore.
A carriage to which was attached four
horses met him at the foot of the road
way. down the bank, and drove him up
the hill, where he was met by his wife,
who was the first to congratulate him.
The band then took its position in front.
and the hero of the day was taken to his
stopping place in DrummondSvilie,
where, after changing his clothes, ne was
interviewed by our reporter. His name,
he said, he was Signor Henry Balleni,
and his age thirty-two years. He was
born in Lamington, England, but his pa
rents are both Italians His weight is
one hundred and thirty.two pounds; he
is five feet seven inches in hight; of dark
complexion and slim build. He has
been fifteen years engaged in his pres
ent profession, and has given exhibit
tions in Australia.
He has in his possession q beautiful
gold medal, which he ayers was pre-
sented to him by Louis Napoleon for
jumping from a building eighty feet
high. His walk across the river yester-
day is the longest ever accomplished by
him. His balancing pole, which he lost,
was twenty-five and half feet long, and
weighs forty-eight pounds.