The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1879-05-28
A FooLHARDY FEAT.
The Great Feat of Sam Patch
at Niagra Falls Eclipsed
by a Canadian Named
Pera.
Who Jumps from the New Suspension
Bridge Into the Boiling Waters
Beneath, a Distance Of
1872 feet.


afternoon Ii. 2. Pera, a native Of
Teterville. Ont, performed the aston
ishing and unprecedented feat OF
jumping from the new suspension
bridge, at Niagara Falls, into the
boiling waters of the Niagara River,
and coming u safe and sound. The
distance jumped was 1872 feet, and
EcLIPsEs IN EVERY RESPECT THE
GREAT LEAP OF SAN PATCH
at Niagara Falls 10 1929, who jumped
l42 feet and came out all right, but
a short time aflerward lost his life
jumping the Genesee Falls at Rocbes.
ter. Hi- dress consisted of merino
hose and a foil suit of tights. An
inflated l~ife-preserver funnel shape of
his own design and construction,
covered his hips and extended up to
bis arm pits. Cotton cloth was
lightly banded about the life-preserv-
er and about the hips aud loins, and
a large soft sponge protected bis
mouth and nostrils. His ears we're
stuffed with sponges lightly moisten-
ed With spirits, and his thighs and
feet We're tightly held by elastic
straps. Over his shoulder was q
strong leather brace, to the center of
which was attached an iron ring Of
good size and strength. Firmly
rigited TO the ring was nineteen feet
Of six-strand brass wire cable, the
whole being wound up on a cylinder
arranged ~ unwind.
As THE HERO or THE HOUR DESCENDED
TO THE WATER
it also served to keep him ia an up
right position, but not to retard his
speed.
Pera appeared upon the bridge at
3:35 o'clock amid prolonged cheering
from he large crowd which was pa
tien;ly waiting bis advent. As he
stepped upon the temporary platform
which had been constructed outside
the g~uard-reil of the bridge, ne sp-
peared quite nervous. He stood q
moment aud surveyed the awful
chasm below him, and the spectators
held their breath 10 anticipation Of
what seemed to be deliberate suicide.
He then suspended himself by his
hands, and Strengthened his body in a
rigid manner, looked lovingly on the
frightened company, and, st just $40
o'clock, exclaimed, "Good-bye; let
CO." and shot downward through the
air like a fash OF creased lightning
Four seconds of desthless suspense
elapsed when be struck the rushing
waters, feet foremost, and dissp-
peared with q great splash.
IN A FEW SECONDS He BOSE To THE
SURFACE
and began swimming against the
swift current, which had carried him
some distance His appearance was
the signal for great cheering from the
multitude, and it was continued as
be was picked up by a boat which
vas in waiting. aud, picking up the
cars, be quickly rowed himself to the
shore. An eqamination showed the
intrepid jumpist to be
SAFE AND SOUND IL WISR AND LIME,
and not a scratch spon him. Mr.,
Pera is Canadian, and a sailor by
occupation. he is ) feet I inches
tall, weighs l43 pounds, and is 35
years OF age.
HIS FIRST JUMP
was los feet from q broken mamma st
on g vessel on the Caribbean Sea I
years ago. AT that time be was
forced to jump or fail upon the deck,
sad sei.ing the rim Of his hat 10 both
hands, dsscended safely into the va
ter.
ANOTHER NOTABLE JUMP WAS ONE OF
72 FEET,
from an elevator in Milwaukee, bat
his wonderful leap to-day makes all
previous efforts pale iato utter iusig-
nifcance.
Pers will repeat his blood-curdling
feat at the same place on The 4th of
July.