Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-08-06
An Acrobat Tragedy.


meet such horrible death appeared on
the top Of one of the houses, dressed in
his fancy attire, and looked for a moment
at the assembled thousands, and then
began to make preparations to facilitate,
as it proved, his own destruction. He
had the appearance of slightly-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 at
tempted. The rope having been secured,
be seized his balanCe-pOle and started,
but only walked a few steps, when he
hastily retreated, and gave further direc-
tiOns to a couple of men who held the
end Of the guy-rOpes nearest the house.
His orders having been Obeyed, he again
started OFF, and with apparent ease
walked to the center of the rope Here
two iron rings, about a couple of feet
apart, hung three feet, or Whereabouts,
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 performer had reached these
rings he halted, stopped 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, paus-
ing moment, raised himself slightly,
put his feet through between his arms,
and went backward as far as he could,
waiting an instant, and then bringing
himself back again to his original posi-
ton. 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 successfully twice, but
the third time it was apparent he
was making an immense tax on his
strength, and those present who under
stood a little about gymnastics felt
anxious, as they knew he had yet a diff
cult move 20 make, which was to regain
the rope. He did not let himself back
so far this last time, for the thought APP
parently seemed to have possessed him
that his strength was failing. He hastily
brought himself back to the original 20
sitiOn, but scarcely had he done so than
he let 90 one ring with his right hand.
Whether this was done accidentally or
Intentionally can only be conjectured
but we presume it was done on purpose,
as his object probably was to catch one
ring with both hands and draw himself
up the rope hand over hand. If such
was the case he miscalculated his
strength, for he had barely let go one
hand and swung partly round when the
| other began to relax. What thoughts
passed through the poor mans mind in
those few seconds are a sealed book. He
must have known that his strength was
failing him and fall was inevitable, yet
not cry nor sound escaped him, but he
turned his eyes and gave one agonized
look at the ground beneath him, which
will never be effaced from the memory
OF those who saw it. Suddenly his hold
gave way, when, amid the half-audible
cry Of amazement which involuntarily
escaped the lips of the paralyzed multi
tude, he fell to the earth with thud
like the drop of heavy stone, and, in
an instant, what was a human body IL
the full enjoyment of life, in which was
incased human soul, was a mangleG
heap OF flesh, and the soul had returned
| to the God who gave it. Death was in
| Simultaneous. He lay for a few seconds
motionless, and the blood began tC
| trickle from his mouth and nose: then he
! quivered from head to foot with con
/ vulslve movement, and the blood rushed
! from his nostrils and mouth in torrents
/ Port Hope (Ont.) Times.