Weekly Trinity journal., 1873-10-25
a COMBAT IN MID AIR.

Little did the ten thousands of men,
women and children who thronged the
public square of Agram, Crotia, on the
18th day Of August anticipate that they
were about to witness a spectacle such as
has perhaps never been witnessed before
"a combat in mid air. The occasion OF
the gathering was performance on the
tight-rope. The acrobats, Andreas kol-
ter and Francis Pergowitch, were to APP
pear on the rope, which had been stretch
ed from window in the Court house, a
distance $50 feet. The acrobats were to
meet midway, and then to pass each 9TH
er. When the clock struck twelve, 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 a nervous quick step. AT last they
met, and the suspense of the crowd un-
derneath changed the next moment to n
feeling of indescribable horror. Pergo-
witch suddenly uttered an angry excla-
nation and dealt Kolter heavy blow on
the head. Kolter staggered and fell, but
in so doing succeeded in clutchng the
rope with one hand while with the other
he grasped the left leg of his assailant.
Pegowitch now fell likewise, but passed
his right arm around the rope 50 that he
hung in comparative security. And COW
began IL life-and-death struggle. Kolter,
with his right hand, tried to drag Pergo-
witch from the rope, while Pergowitch
kicked Kolter with his right foot, and
with his left hand endeavored 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 general despair was
the appearance Of Kolter's young wife at
the open window, from which her hus-
band few moments before had set out
upon his fatal walk. Her piteous screams
were heard above the din below, and her
appeals to Pergowitch to spare her hus-
bands life would have moved the heart
of an Apache. The struggle in mid air
lasted perhap minute, when Kolter sud
denly uttered last cry and lost his hold.
He fell to the ground, striking it violent
ly and expiring instantly. While the
people gathered around the corpse 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 Project of police ordered Pergo-
witch to surrender. In case he should not
do so within five minutes, he would be
shot down like dog. Finally he raised
himself to his feet and ran quickly to the
Court house window, begging that he
might be protected from violence. There
was great danger Of his being executed
by the people, who loudly clamored that
the murderer be given up to them but
the military by bayonet charge cleared
the public square. Pergowtch being
asked what caused him to perpetrate the
crime, said that there had been grudge
between him and Kolter ever since the
latter had married young Rosita Sergan-
off, Polish girl of rare beauty. Kolter,
in fit of jealousy, had told him he knew
one or the other Of them must die on this
account. Andreas Kolter was the young
est member Of the distinguished family
of acrobats Of that name.