Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-05-30
A LONG LEAF.
II. +. Peer Jumps from the Suspension
Bridge 1872 feet into Niagara River.


BUFFALO, n. ", May 22,-Yesterday
afternoon II. L. Peer, y native OF Teter.
vile, Ont, performed the astonishing
and unprecedented feat of jumping
from the new suspension bridge at Nj
agara Falls, into the boiling waters of
Niagara river, and coming out safe and
sound, The distance jumped was 100
feet, and eclipSes in every way the great
leap of Sam Patch ut Niagara Falls in
lSS9, who jumped ll2 feet and came
out all right, but short time aiterward
lest his life in jumping the Geuesee
Falls NJ Rochester. His dress consisted
OF merino hose and full suit ct tights,
An inflated lite.preServcr, funnel shape,
.ot his own design and construction,
covered his hips and extended M ia his
arm-pits, Cotton cloth was lightly
banded about the h(e.preserver and
about the hipS and loins, and large
soft sponge protected his mouth anu
nostrils. His ears we're stuffed with
Spougos slightly moiSteuod with spirits
and his thighs and feet were firmly
held by elastic straps. Over his shoulder
was strong leather brace, to tho center
of which was attached " iron ring Of good
size aud strength. Firmly mvctea To
the ring was ~ feet oi six.Strand brass
wire cable, the whole being wound up
ON u cylinder arranged to unwind rs
the nero Of the hour descended to the
water. It also serves TO keep him in
an upright position but not to retard his
speed.
Peer appeared upon the bridge ut
$50 o'clock, amid prolonged cheering
from the large crowd which was patient
ly waiting his advent, As he stepped
upon the temporary platform which
had been constructed outside the
guard-rail OF the bridge, he appeared
quite nervous, He stood moment
and surveyed the awful chasm below
him, and the spectators held their
breath III anticipation otwhat appeared
to he deliberate suicide. He then sus-
pended himself by his hands straight
cued his body i'll n rigid manner, look
ing lovingly on the frightened company
and ut Just $40 O'clock, exclaimed,
"Good-hyc; let go" and shot downward
through the MIR like flash of creased
lightning. Four seconds of doathless
suspense elapsed when ho struck the
rushing waters, feet foremost, and ais
appeared with agreat splash. In few
seconds he rosesto the surface aud be.
gan swimming against the swift current,
which had carried him some distance
His appearance WAS the signal for great
cheering from the multitude, and il was
continued Ms he was picked up by Il
boat which was III waiting, and picking
up the oars, he quickly rowcd himself
to the shore. An examination showed
the intrepid iumpist to be safe and
sound N wind and limb, and not n
scratch upon him. Mr.. Peer is Can.
adan, and sailor Ivy occupation. lie
il five feet seven inches tall, weighs lis
pounds, and is 30 years of age, His first
Jump was los feet from broken main
mast on vessel ON the Caribbean Sea
seven years ago. AT that time ho wa,
forced to jump or fall upon the deck
and Selling the rim of his hat in boil
hands, descended safely into the water
Another notable jump was one of sey
enty-two feet, from IN elevator in Mil
wankec but his wonderful Temp Of yes
tcrday makes all previous efforts pal,
into utter insi.nitioanCe.
Peer will repeat his blood.curdinl
feat mt the same place on the Fonrth o
July.