Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-05-31
The Leap Into Niagara.

1nc Duualo courier gives some Interesting
particulars OF the leap OF H. P Peer from the
Lew suspension Bridge over the Niagara river
lasI WEDNESDAY. The many spectators, II says,
saw before them neat looking man attired In
trunks. Fitting tightly about his hips and
close 70 his BODY, and passing up Just under the
arm-plts was funnel shaped, inflated rubber
llfe-preserver, constructed after an arrange
ment only known to himself. Strips of cotton
cloth were tightly banded around his hips and
IONS. A broad sponge covered his mouth and
nostrlis, ana bis ears Were filled with the same
material, the sponge being first moistened with
spirits. over his shoulders was a leather sling
or brace, which passed behind In the form or a
ioop, having small brass ring In the center.
When all was In readiness the signal was given
TO the boatmen ia the river below TO get ready
and then Peer adjusted bis sponge protectors,
ana crept over the rail upon his scaffold, where
ne sat down for brief time
The object OF w1ndlaSs and wire cable which
nad been prepared was now learned, the cab e
oelng attached TO the ring In the sling that he
dcular position, while the use OF q brake upon
the cylinder would enable those above ia q
measure to control his descent. The end OF the
cable was not fastened, SO that as he descended
it would unwind. When the wire had been at
tached lie stood up cross-legged and fasten I'd
his limbs In this position with a stff elias &c
band about two Inches wide slipped over his
thighs and another over his foot at the tnstep
After paper bag had been flung to the
breeze to test Its force, Peer lowered himselqbe-
tween the two boards OF his scaffolding, and
suspense probably viii never be forgotten BY
those who were waiting for the drop. After
moments delay Peer again took hold with both
hands, Strengthened himself out, and with a
''good-by," let his hands drop close to hts sides
and went down like an arrow. The people who
bad been reclining on the ground, Jumped 10
their feet, and stood fairly transfixed with min
gled feelings OF dread and suspense. Peer shot
directly down with almost lightning like veioc-
fly, and looking like small boy to those above,
DISAPPEARED with great splash feet foremost
three or four feet into the air above the line
where he entered. The feat was gracefully per.
formed. With ali the strain on ones nerves It
was pretty sight, and immensely interesting
He did not reappear so quickly as It was ex-
He's killed." However within four or I'VE
seconds his head and the upper part OF his body
appeared above the water, and with hts hands
he flung on the balance wire which had become
entaDgled about his face. He came up about
fifty feet below the place where he entered, and,
below the bridge, was picked up by Thomas
Conroy, the guide, and two other men who were
in boat.
When asked what sensations he experienced
he said: "NoDe In particular as went down;
nothing more than II had jumped ten instead
Of one hundred and ninety-two feet. think
must have gone down about eleven feet into the
water when encountered the under current,
but did go into It. AS IL caught me, It threw
me fiat on my back, and In that position was
tween the two currents, and the feeling to my
back was Just as though / had been drawn
quickly over a rough board table, but no evil
effects followed. had my eyes open, and look
ing up could see the bridge through the water.
MY lfe-preSeruer saved me after went under
the water. Realizing that must be about my
business threw up my hands, padded a little
and instantly rose 10 the surface"