National Republican., 1875-12-31
xAIE orAR ROPE WALKER.
Chip Thompson Falls in Alexandria, Va
Sketch Of the Unfortunate Aeeidsnt-rhe
Ininriaa Knf Rafal.

Chip Thompson Fails in Alexandria, Va
Sketch Of the Unfortunate Aceident-rhe
Injuries Not Fatal.
Especial Dispatch to the National Republican,
ALEXANDRIA, Va, Dec. So.-The usual quiet
OF this city was disturbed this afternoon by
most untoward accident, and one which, for the
time being, il was thought would prove fatal, but
which, 1t is now hoped, may only result in the
temporary discontinue OF tie victim. For several
days past Mr. Chip Thompson has announced
through the newspapers and by hsndbills that he
would give public exhibition Of ght-rope walk
ing at the Intersection Of King and Royal streets
this afternoon. Yesterday his agent arrived, and
the rope on which he was to perform his perilous
feat was stretched from the dry goods store Of
diagonally opposite, the central elevation being
about thirty-fvs feet. At the hour named for
the performance, 40 p. m, there were fully i've
hundred persons in the vicinity, anxious to wit
ness the performance, among the number being
many ladies.
Alter. q considerable delay Mr.. Thompson ap-
peared in the upper window Of the store Of
Messrs. Wilmer, from which the ropewas braced
on one side. He was clad In the customary tights
and Ipangles Of the profession and appeared per-
fectly at ease. After the applause which his ap-
pearance created had subsided he started on his
walk, but after progressing short distance he
seemed to have discovered some cause for alarm,
for he turned back and looked over the bracng.
This precautionary move reassured him, and he
again appeared on the marrow walk and pro-
ceeded upon his journey. Before he had reached
the centre, however, owing to some defect on the
other side, the rope swayed, ana the daring man
was for Q moment non-plussed. There was but
one chance Of escape Tor him, and while the crowd
held their breath, horror-stricken at the sight
they felt they must inevitably witness, Thompson
threw away the balance pole and dropped sstrad-
die the wire, clutching It with both hands. The
fright must have unnerved him or the fall have
hurt him, for hardly had his body struck the wire
before he turned on the right side lost his balance
and after q nervous clutch Of second or two on
the frail support he tumbled head foremost to the
rock-paved street below.
He uttered no cry, but with suppressed groans
Of horror the audience gave vent 70 their feeling,
and, shielding their eyes from the horrid sight,
turned away and sought refuge from further ter
ror in indiscriminate flight. A few Of the more
hardy who remained at once went to the assist
anee of the unfortunate man, who was lying
wounded and bleeding in the street. He was
speedily taken up and conveyed to the drug store
Of Messrs. Clarridge Grigg, where he was at
tended by Drs. Snowden and others, and from
thence taken TO his rooms at the City hotel.
There a careful examination developed the fact
that in the fall his left and the outer table
of his frontal bone had been severely fractured,
besides sundry unimportsut bruises. The physi.
clans are still with him, and although his wounds
are severe they are no: necessarily fatal. The
unfortunate occurrence has created great excite
ment in the city. q.