The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-25
LEAPTN0 INTO KIlGhRA.
The Daring and Unprecedented Explicit OF aa
Adventurous Canadian.

From ho BgfIlo CoH Ter.
During the past two or three weeks
u has been announced from gay-colored
bills eonsDiouously pnsted throughout the
country between Buffalo. Ningarn Falls.
champlon p.rpendir9lar jumper. would on
Wednesday. the 2lst day OF May perform tho
reckless feat ~ Jumping from the rev Suspen-
distance - 1872 feet. This WIS something
wholly without q precedent. Only one other
slru,dure. and no did IL with suicidal intent.
and successful :. accomplishing his purpose.
Out on the bridge, about 20 feet beyond tho
temporary platform had boon erected outside
the guard rail on n eyel with tho floor OF the
planks extending Out about tour feet and about
eighteen inches apart with piece OF board
nailed over the ends. Above this extending
out from tue upper edge OF the guard-rail WIS
cylinder or windlass on which WIS reeled "a
small sik-strand cable composed of 220 feet o.
No; - brass wr'. The revolutions Of tho
cylinder were controlled BY a small wooden
brake-handc.
AT tho appointed time yesterday Peer took his
place on the bridge bohind tho guard rail and
back OF his platform. TO receive the finishing
touches from his attendants. lie was alfred
IN mcrno hose and u suit OF tights with blue
trunks Fitting tightly about his hips and close
to his body and Dass ing up lust under his arm
pits was iunpel-shqped inflated rubber life
preserver. constructed after nm arrangement
periectcd 10y aud known only 10 himself.
strips Of cotton cloth were tightly banded
around his hips and loins A broad sponge
covered his mouth and nostris. and his ears
were II led with the same material tho sponge
being FIRST molst,ned with spirits. Over tho
shoulders was n leather sling or brace. which
pusaed behind in the form OF u loon. and having
email brass ring i'm the centre. When all was
In readiness the signal was given to the boat
men in the river below to get ready. and then
Peer. pqrtaking OF some stimulant, gayc final
look TO his dress Is hat oyer NM was al
right. adjusted his sponge protectors. and
crept over the rail upon his scafIold. whore
he sat down for a brief time. and sur
veyed the distance he WIS 40 soon to travel.
The object Of the windlass and wire cable WIS
now learned. tho cable being attached to the
ring in the sling that he wore and intended
to prevent his turning over to make sure OF his
maintaining porpendiculnr position. while the
use Of the brake upon the cylinder would ena-
hlc those above IN measure to control his de-
scent The ilna end OF the cable was not fast-
ened. 80 that as he descended II would unwind
and not hold him. When the wire had been at.
tarhed he stood up cross legged. ma fnstnned
his limbs in this position with stiff elasti band
about two inches wide slipped over his thighs,
and another over his feet at the instep. This
WAS u precautionary measure to guard against
his legs spreading.
Peer lowered himself between tho two boards
of his scaffDlding and hung first by both hands
again took hold with both hands. Strengthened
himself out, and with a Good by" at twenty
minutes before 4 O'Clock lot go. let his hands
drop close to his sides. and went down like
with almost lightning-like velocity. and.
looking like q small boy TO those above.
disappeared with great splash. feet foremost.
sending the water three or Jour feet into the
air. He came up about fly feet below the
place where he entered and starting 20 swim.
went down n short distance below the bridge.
was picked up by Thomas Conroy. tho guide.
and two other mon who were in boat. He
seemed little limp. but this. II was said. was
due TO his being struck on the shoulder by tho
boat. HIS life preserver burst when he struck
Peer was born in 1874 near Hamilton. Canada.
and has made some astonishing leaps before.