The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1879-07-25
LEApiNG INTO NIAGARA.
THE DARING AND UNpREcEDEsTED Ey-
PLOT OF AN ADVENTUROUS cANApIAN,
From the Buffalo Courie

| From the Buffalo Courier
Dnring the past two or three weeks 1t
mas been announced from gay-colored bills
posted conspicuously throughout the coun-
try between Buffalo, Niagara and the City
OF Elnaira that a. B. Peer, the champion
perpendieular jumper, would on Wedns-
day, the 2lss day OF May, perform the
reckless feat of Jumping from the new Sus-
pension Bridge at ths Fails into che water
below, distance Of 192 feet. This was
something wholly without precedent.
Only on other man had ever dared to leap
from this lofty structure, and did it with
suicidal attempt and successfully accom-
plished his purpose.
On the bridge, about 25 feet below the
neutral line, aud toward the American side,
temporary platform had been erected
outside on the guard rail on O.
level with the door of the bridge. 1t con-
sisted simply OF two narrow planks ex-
tending out about four feet and aboat 18
inches apart, with piece of board nailed
over the end. Above this, extending out
from the upper edge of the guard rail, was
q cylinder or vindlass on which was reeled
small six-tfread cable composed of 900
feet Of No. "a brafs wire. The revolutions
of the cylinder were controlled by q small
wooden brake.
At the appointed time yesterday Peer
took his place On the bridge behind the
guard rail and back of his platform, to re-
ceive the finishing touches from his at
tendants. He was attired in msrino hose
and a suit of tights with blue trunks. Fit
ting tightly about his hips and close to his
body and passing up just under his arm
pits, was funnel-shaped inflated life-pre-
server, constructed after an arrangement
perfected by and only known to himself.
Strips of cotton cloth we're tightly banded
about his hips and loins. A broad sponge
covered his mouth and nostrils, and his ears
were filed with the same material, the
sponge beng first moistened with spirits.
Over the shoulders was leather sling or
brace, which passed behind in the form of
a loop, and having small brass ring in the
center. when all was ready the signal
was given to the boatmen in The river be-
low to get ready, and then Peer, partaking
of some stimulant, gave a final look at his
dless to see that everything was all right,
and crept over the rail upon his scaffold,
where he sat down for brief time and
surveyed the distance he was to travel.
The object of the windlass and wire cable
was now learned, the cable being attached
to the ring in the sling that he wore, and
intended to prevent bis turning over, to
make sure of his maintaining perpendicu-
lar position, while the use of the brake up
on the cylinder would enable those above
final end of tina cable. was. not fastened.
30 that as he descended it would unwind
and not hold him. When the wire
had been attached be stood mp croSs-legged
and fastened his limbs in this position with
. stif elastic band about two inches wide
slipped over his Thighs, and another over
his feet at the instep. This was precau-
tionary measure to guard against his legs
spreading. -. ............
Peer lowered himself between the two
boards of his scaffolding and hung first by
both hands and then by one. After mo-
ment's delay Peer again took hold with
both hands, and with q Goodbye" at 20
before four o'clock, let go, let his
hands drop to his sides, and went down
like an arrow. Peer shot directly down
with almost lightning-liks velocity, and
looking like small boy to those aboye, dis
appeared With a great splash, feet fore
most, sending the water three or four feet
into the air. He canae up about fifty yards
below the place where he entered, and,
starting to swim, went down short dis
sance below the bridge, and was picked up
by Thomas Conroy, the guide, and two 9TH
or men who were in boat. He seemed
little limp, but this, was said, was due to
his being struck ON the shoulder by the
beat. HIS life-preserver burst when he
struck the water.
Peer was born in 1914 near Hamilton,
Canada, and has made some astonishing
caps before.