The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-09-05
ferhOus PerfOrmance-Leapin 15o
Feet into Niagara River.

The Buffalo Express contains an ac-
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
1t was found that the rope had not
been drawn tight enough, and men were
Immediately dispatched to fix it, 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 to
the man on the rope, who marched
along, apparently with the greatest of
ease, to the music of the Drummonds-
vile Band, which was stationed in front
of the Clifton House. At six minutes to
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 rest
ing himself for brief period, the Sig
nor again started on his tramp.
This was the only stop made, and ten
minutes after 5 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
consequence, he said, Of the extra exer-
ton in walking, caused by the slackness
of the rope. After another rest of thir-
teen 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 prepare
tons 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 attach
ed to the rope just 115 feet above the
surface of the water. Balleni caught
hold of one end of the elastic cord be-
fore the spectators thought he was
ready to go. He descended like an
arrow, and the recovering snap of the
rubber was almost simultaneous with
the loud splash of his fall in the water.
" Is he alive ?" 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 Sig
nor came peeping out of the water, and
he struck out vigorously and heartily
toward the boat which was there to pick
him up. He wa, quickly hauled into
the little craft, carefully wrapped up
with heavy blankets, and rowed to the
shore.
A carriage, to which was attached
four horses, met him at the foot of the
roadway, 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 to-day was
taken to his stopping place in Drum
mondsville, where, after changing his
clothes, he was interviewed by our re-
porter. His name, he said, was Signor
Henry Balleni, and his age 30 years.
He was born in Harrington, England,
but his parents are both Italian His
weight is 1872 pounds he is feet 7
inches in height of dark complexion,
and slim build. He has been fifteen
years engaged in his present profession,
and has given exhibitions in Australia,
France, India, and America.
He has in his possession beautiful
gold medal, which he AYERS was present
ed to him by Louis Napoleon, for jump
ing from a building so feet high. His
walk across the river yesterday is the
longest ever accomplished by him. His
balancing-pole, which he lost, was %
feet long and weighed AZ pounds.