Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1885-08-09
ON BLoNDIN's BACK.
Harry CoIcord's Awful Ride Across the
Niagara River.

Niagara RIVER.
Chicago Ners
Harry Colcord. artist, now Of Chicago,
ran away from home and went to sea.
Before be got through with his
adventures he rode across Niagara
Falls three times on the back OF Bion-
din on tightrop Hessys he would not do
il spain, but that he did, not suffer from fear.
One can readily believe him. In bis deep gray
eye there is a suggestion OF seffcoutroi, and
in his slight, 1.-THE figure Of strength and re-
serve physical force which his gentle voice
and bis easy, courteous manner fails to en-
tirely conceal He is an artist rs artists go,
and paints tolersble pictures.
In the year 1858" he said, 81 joined
Blondin in Boston he was OF the Fran
coma troupe, including Msrtlnetti and the
famous Ravels was their scenic artist,
and painted scenes with wbitewash brush.
We disbanded in Cincinnati, and there II
occurred TO Blondin to cross Niagara on
tight rope, and | went to the Falls with aim
We had no end Of trouble getting the nee
essary permits to extend the ropes Blond
din only spoke little English; that was
one difficulty, but finally we succeeded IN
getting them from Porter, who owned the
American side, and The rest was easy.
Blondin wanted to carry the rope
from Terrapin Tower and across to Dsviss
hotel, which would have led over Horseshoe
Falls, through the midst aud the spray OF
the great cataract. They objected because
Blondin was sure to fall, they said. The
spray would keep his rope damp and !, who
had engaged to 90 on his back, was very
glad of it. Finally we stretched the rope
from White pleasure ground across to toe
Clifton House. Not far away from the
place there is now suspension bridge
There was 1000 feet Of the rope, 1t was OF
manila, three inches in diameter, made in
New York ropewslk, in two pieces. Blon-
din Joined them with long splice which,
when the rope was extended, was in the
centre OF the span. Ii took US nearly five
months 10 stretch the rope and to get guy
lines in place
1t was $50 feet above water at its loves,
point, which was so feet below the highest
in each 1000 feet There were $4,000
feet of guy line altogether. Each Of them
we're weighted with ten.pound sand bag
to drop them out OF the way Of his balance
pole and in putting them up Blondin cross
ed score of times. At last we were ready
10 make the first ascension; that was what
we called it. Before ] went over he made
several public ascensions Ii was al
ver,ised through the papers that was to
ride on his back, and | ass the subject OF
all liz ds Of attacks and criticisms. | was
ready 10 bach out, except Blondin began to
Guui me, aid got into that corner Of
pride aus vain gloriousness which | could
lot escape from. Meantime Blondin had
.oached NE as to what should do. | was
put ny weight on his shoulders by my
lrms, ard clasp his body about with my
sgs. But could not put my weight on his
egs; tbst would cucumber his movements
had to keep al The weight on his shoulders
In July, 1860 we went across. / took ny
place on Blondins back, and be began the
desce ut from the Canadian side on the rope.
BY reason OF the fact that had 10 bear
my weight on his shoulders and
had 10 use my arms and with
main strength 10 support myself, frequent
rests were necessary. told Blondln when
wanted to rest, and then dropped down on
the rope on one foot and waited until my
arms we're relieved, when | would spring up
again, using only my arms to lift and hold
myself in place. There was great crowd
there. did not see them OF first. do
not remember what | thought. From my
place on Bondins back could look out 10
the other shore and see below me the stunted
pines thrustiug their sharp points up from
The edge Of the foaming water, ready to
slit us il we fell. remember too that l
was anxious TO get over and | recall, too,
that the great rope before US made swings
from side to side. We afterward knew that
tbe rope swung forty feet at the center, and
felt the necessity of preserving my self
posse ssion, and did it
There was forty feet length between the
guy on one side and those Of the other that
It was impossible to make steady. Ii was
the middle span. Below US $50 feet roared
the river, and over it we swung from side
to side, still moving on steadily, however:
Bloudin never trembled. When We had
gone about ten feet on this middle span
somebody on the American side pulled the
outer guy line. We sfterwarj found out II
WAS done intentionally, aud the rope was
stopped in its swing. Blondin stopped, and
bis pole went from side 10 side in vain ef
tort to enable him to secure his balance. At
one time it was up and down on the right
side, at another up and down on toe
eft and | recall nov with wonder
hat / was only curious 10 know
whether he would succeed in
getting control Of himself or not. ! didn't
feel any fear. Failing ofgetting his balance,
he started 10 run across the horrible span,
aud We safely reached the point where the
guy rope came out from the american shore
Then TO steady himself Blondin put his foot
on the guy rope and tried TO stop but the
guy line broke md with dash Of speed he
ron swiftly twenty-five feet further TO the
next point. where the guys met the main
rope There he recovered bis balance, and
whispered rather than said 'Decendez,
vous. The Precipitation stood out on his
neck and shoulders in great beads. and we
balanced ourselves on the sEaying rope.
Presently he said. 'Allons," end | raised
myself to bis shoulders aud we went on in
safety and houtincident toward the shor.
II was no, until we landed that j appreci-
ated what had been done. Then il occur
red 10 me that the man who p1Iled the guy
line was one Of those Sho bet the feat could
never be accomplished, and my indignation
mastered any reactiopary feeling Of fear.
You zee. many thou and dollars were bet
upon the ability Of Blondin 10 carry man
over, and human cupidity stops at No sacri-
Gee Then there were the congratulations
and the prai,e Of pluck and the rest Of II, go
that in my foolisb boyish elstion ! forgot
everything else. 90 remember as we sp.
proached the shore the wonderful tAbleeu Of
the 100000 people who stood gazing 81
us. Thousands Of them turned their
faces away, or half turning, cast glAncss
over their shoulders at rs. / remember
their white faces, their strained positions OF
apxiety-women who stared, white and mo.
tionlesa, and men who wept and as we drew
near the bank the crowd surged toward rs,
and BIoudin stopped, fearing thsT would
push each other over the precipice. Then
he crowd was still again, and with quiek
run We came to the shore and sprang to the