Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1874-08-24
a ROPE wALkER,s doom.
TERRIBLE FALL AND DEATH OF A CANA
DIAN ACRoBAT.

Shortly, the performer who was to
meet such a horrible death. appeared on
the top of one of the houses, dressed in
his fancy attire. and looked for . mo
ment at the assembled thousands, and
then began to make preparations to IA
cilitate. as it proved, his own destruc-
ton. He had the appearance Of . slight
ly built man, and did not show great
amount Of bodily strength; in fact, as
the sequel disclosed, not sufficient to
carry him through the arduous feat
which he attempted. The rope having
been secured, he seized his balance pole
and started. but only walkeda few steps,
then he hastily retreated and gave fur
Their directions to couple of men who
held the ends of the guy-ropes nearest
the house. His orders having been obey
ed, he again started of. and with appa-
rent ease walked to the center of the
rope. Here two iron rings, about eeu-
pie Of feet apart, hung three feet or
thereabouts from the rope The rings
were Just over the middle of the road,
which was thickly covered with gravel
and as hard as rock. When the perfor-
mer reached these rings he halted. stoop-
ed down and fastened his balance pole
to the rope. He then proceeded to let
himself down to the rings, where he once
or twice performed an easy feat.
He then let himself down to the full
extent of his arms, and pausing a mo-
ment, raised himself slightly and put
his feet through between his arms, and
went backward as far as he could, wait
ing an instant, and then bringing him.
self back again to his original position.
This is . feat requiring immense strength
Of arm, and should never be performed
at dangerous distance from the ground,
as the slightest failure of muscle, or a
bend too far back would be instant death.
This feat the young man performed sue
eessfully twice. but the third time it
was apparent he was making an immense
tax on his strength, and those present
who understood gymnastics felt anxious,
as they knew he had yet difficult move
to make. which was to regain the rope.
He did not let himself back so far this
time, for the thought seemed to have
] possessed him that his strength was fail
ing He hastily brought himself to tbs
original position. but scarcely had hi
done so than he let 90 one ring with hi:
right hand. Whether this was done &c
cidentally or Intentionally can only b
eonjeetured but We presume it was done
on purpose, as his object probably wa
to catch one ring with both hands, anC
draw himself up to the rope hand owe
hand. IF such was the case he miseal
eulated his strength, for ne had barrel,
let 60 one hand and swung partly round
when the ether began to relax Wha
thoughts passed through that poo
mans mind in those few seconds are
sealed book He must have known tina
his strength was falling him. and q fal
was inevitable, yet not cry or SCUM
escaped him, but he turned his eyes an
gave one agouizing look at the grouu
beneath him, which viii never be effac
ed from the memory Of those who sal
: it. Suddenly his hold gave way, wher
amid half audible cry of amazemen
which invoIuntarily escaped the lips {
the paralyzed multitude, he fell to Ii
earth with q thud like the drop Of
heavy stone, and, in an instant, VIVA
was human body in full enjoyment {
life, IN which was encased human sou
was a nangled heap Of flesh, and th
soul had returned to the God who CAV
It. Death was instantaneous. He Ia
fer few seconds notionless, and tt
blood began to triekle from his mout
and nose. then he quivered from hea
to foot with -eonvulsive movement, an
: the blood eushed from his nostrils an
mouth II torrents