Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-09-19

Campbell Coca Through the A npids
ia n Cork suit and asrOdte guasps
from the tsHcik OF a. Escpe-Waiker.
NIAGARA FALLS, N. Y, Sept. 16.-Yes.
tefday, Walter Il. Campbell of Youngs-
town, New York, made the trip through
the Rapids at Niagara Gorge, below the
falls. Early yesterday morning Campbell
bstook himself 10 the secret dspths of
the bank up beyond the old Maid of the
Mist Landing, and remained in hiding
there until about noon. About this time
he, in company with friends, was Heen
rowing about the river. An anxious
crowd Of spectators aud friends gathered
about him every time he landed at the
old dock, but no officers appeared to ar
rest him.
His "suit" was nothing more than 16
pieces Of cork, each s by IA inches, and
inch thick. 1t was folded over his
cnest aud about his back, and between it
and his body were heavy cotton pads,
straps about tia legs and Shoulders hold
ing it in position. In fact it was nothing
more that two life pIeservers put together
in one bag. About his hips were pai-
OF red trunks, and an undershirt covered
his body. His arms and legs were free
from clothing.
At Just $40 p. ne. the boat in which
Campbell and few friends rode pushed
of from above the point and was pulled
slowly down to the Maid of the Mist
dock. where the friends went ashore. II
was 500 p. m. when, with a steady un.
hlnching stroke, Campbell pulled slowly
from the dock to the centre OF the river.
He drifted down with the current far
towards the Canadian side. AT 1926 p.
M, standing upright in the boat, he took
one of the oars and padded the craft in
the direction he desired to 60, at the
same time sSeadying it.
As he rode rapidly downstream on the
current beneath the Cantiiever bridge it
was o truly awe-inspiring sight. The
| eyes of thousands wersIiveted upon him,
Over the heavy sweIis he rode in safety,
and as he neared the first breaker of the
rapids he knelt down in the bottom OF
the boat. He passed way through the
| FIRST part Of the rapids while in kneel-
| ing position and holding fast to the sides.
The huge wave in front of BltteEi's Gle
vator raised Campbell high on its crest
and capsized the boat. His cork suit
buoyed him up nicely.
At 3.32 p. IN. he was seen to enter the
whirlpool and was carried by the feros
current fer out into the maelstrom. By
strong swimming he soon reached the
shore and wiling hands we're extended to
the successful navigator, his father,
James F. Campbell, being among the
first to congratulate him. After etfacting
a landing he was hurried to the Whirl.
pool House where whisky was given him.
He said "No, did not weaken to my
knowledge at all. kept my senses rieh,
through the whole thing. 1t wRs rather
bad at irst when ! was drifting TOWARD
the rapids thare, but did not mind it
got pretty wsli shaken up. / lost the
boat juut opposite ButteIi's elevator,
think. After was thrown out l made al
effort to catch it, but it was about 20 feet
beyond me and couldn't do it. 1t wen
faster than did" Campbell is not quite
al years old.
4 The dog which Campbell took will
him WAS cross between Newfoundland
and Cocker spaniel known as Jumb,
! and the property Of William Leary. Tn,
dog also had life preseryer about it
: body and was rescued.
BRoDIE'G JUMP.
CLEVELAND o., Sept. 16.--Steve Brodi
jumped from the back Of tight rop
walker on cable into tine artificial lax
ct Beyerles Park yesterday, distance Q
4 100 feet. Five Thousand spectators wer
1 present,