Middletown transcript., 1875-10-09
A TERRIBLE FALL.
Two Wilmington Trapexe Performer
Fall : Distance Of Thirty Feet.

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On Wednesday and Thursday evenings last
Willard b Cressee's variety combination were
to give performance under the auspices of
Damon Lodge No. IL, X. of P. As soon as
the crowd from the fair grounds reached the
centre of the town, Messrs Gookin Fisher,
aerial performers on the trapeze made their
appearance in the street opposite the Town
+ Hall, climbed to the trapeze and commenced
their performance. The rope to which the
trapeze was attached extended from large
sycamore tree in the Middletown Hotel yard
to some rafters in the cupola of the hall, and
was about one inch in circumference, and had
been used to some extent previously. After
number of acts had been gone through with
by which great stress was put upon the long
rope, Gookin and Fisher were resting on the
bar. Shortly after move was made by them
when the rope snapped suddenly near the
Hall roof and the two performers fell heavily
together to the ground while the large crowd
that was watching became very much ex-
cited and ran in all directions. Fisher got
up Immediately and Gookin shortly afterward
and both walked short distance, but from
injury and excitement were compelled to lie
down near by. Gookin was carried to the
Hall, and on being examined by DR.. Mckee,
was found to be more seriously hurt in the
left hip than elsewhere, although his whole
: form was Jared badly and rendered his limbs
stiff. Fisher was bruised in his legs and re-
ceived cut over the left eye, and was taken
to Anderson's drug store and his wounds
dressed by DR.. Barr. Gookin expressed him
self as being confident that he could continue
his performance on the horizontal bar in the
Hall, but neither of them were able to leave
their room. Fisher is well known as the third
base player in the celebrated amateur Quick
step base ball club in Wilmington, and he
was to have played with his club on Thurs
day against the Athletics. No, doubt the
news created considerable commotion in base
ball circles in Wilmington, for Fisher is one
of the best players the Quicksteps have.
Both of the injured men were put in bed, and
remained there most of the next day, and
were unable to take part in the second even
ings entertainment. The sympathy express
ed by some citizens of this town would not
conveniently gil the heart of mouse, and if
ever there is an occasion for some to be shown
them it should be rejected harshly.
ANOTHER FALL FROM A TRAPEzE IN THE HALL.
As the performance on trapeze by Thomas
Guthrie, one of Willard & Cresses Troupe,
was in progress Wednesday evening another
accident occurred, in which it seems almost
impossible that the actor escaped instant
death. The fall of Gookin and Fisher excited
Guthrie, and when he went on the trapeze he
was awful nervous and doubtful in himself.
Fate was against these on the trapeze that
evening, and to avoid it was impossible.
Guthrie had gone through with several evo-
lutions and other acts and was preparing to
make his t'leap for life." The trapeze was
standing still and Guthrie made move
backwards intending to catch the rope with
his feet and slide down 10 the bar and then
swing himself in the air and light on bed |
lying on the floor. But Guthrie was too
nervous and SO missed the rope and fell head
long to the Hall floor, the audience sitting
cry of terror. Scarcely moment elapsed |
before the performer was on bis feet, and
springing on the stage made bow and went
behind the curtain. II was ascertained that
q finger was broken and one wrist sprained,
but beside this no other injury was visible,
and Guthrie soon went to bed, leaving the
troupe in o disabled condition to continue
their performance on the next evening. These
accidents have been subject offhuch conver-
sation, intermingled with some sympathy.
L.