Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-10-13
A CANADIAN BLONDIN
Crosses Niagara on a Tightrope in
Less Than Seven Minutes.
DIXON'S TINE CUT RIGHT IN TWO
By Clifford Calverley, One of BIS Intrepid
Young Townsmen.
TIE FEAT WITNESSED BY HUNDREDS

ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE prspArcn,
NIAGARA FALLS, Oct 1.-THE best ex-
hibition of tightrope walking Niagara has
ever seen was given this afternoon, over the
gorge, by Clifford Calverley, a young
Canadian. His wire cable, three-eighths Of
an inch in diameter, was stretched from the
Canadian to the American shore of the
gorge, between the cantilever and the rail-
way suspension bridge. It was guyed by
38 three-eighths of an inch ropes, and
weighted down, so As to steady it, by II
pairs of sandbsgs.
The weather during the afternoon was
perfect, and the white cloth covering Of the
sandbags shone brightly as they dotted the
cable here and there along its length. A
short distance out from the Canadian shore
the British flag foated from the cable, and
+. an equal distance out from the American
was the Stars and Stripes
Unusual interest was taken in Calverley's
feat, as it was known that previous to to-
day be had but little experience. Another
fact that drew attention to the feat was that
the cable was guyed by ropes, whereas all
the cables before have had wire guys.
A Big Crowd Witnesses the Feat.
Quite crowd of spectators gathered
early, and by o'clock the banks of the
river on both sides, as we'll as the suspension
bridge, were lined with an expectant au-
dience. At $40 o'clock Calverley appeared
on the Canadian end of the cable, dressed in
blue tights, with pale pink trunks, collar
and cuffs with silver trimmings. His feet
were covered with buckskin boots, laced
above his ankleA In his hands he carried a
balancing pole of pine, weighing 20 pounds
To the surprise of all, instead of stepping
carefully, he ran. His trip was to be
against time, and the manner in which he
crossed the narrow bridge over the rapid
water, 200 feet below, was startling. His
skill was displayed in every step, and en-
thusiastic ones cried, ''He is the American
Blondinr' 1t took him just six minutes
and eight seconds to cross from bank to
bank, which Is more than six minutes
quicker than the trip has ever been made,
tor Dixon's time was 1211 minutes at the
same point.
After reaching the American shore Cal
verley again stepped on the slender cable.
and going out a short distance, there per-
formed feats common with men in the same
business He laid on the wire, hung by
his toes and did other similar acts.
Canadians Treated to a Show, Too.
Returning to the American shore he en-
tered carriage and was driven across the
suspension bridge to the Canadian end of
his cable. He then went out about $50
feet and gave an exhibition similar to that
given on the American end.
Everybody who Witnessed his exhibition
pronounced Calverley the best man on
cable that Niagara has seen. Instead of
fear, his nerve was remarkable, and he had
full confidence in his ability. Until to-day
he had not walked at height greater
than 60 feet, and this was overland, at
Hanlan's Island, Toronto. He had his first
experience over water to-day.
Calverley is a ine-looking fellow. He is
% years old and was born in Clarksburg, a
small province in Ontario, Canada
1t is q remarkable fact that Dixon, whose
ability on slender wire was witnessed at
Niagara Falls before his death, was also
raised in this same Canadian town. He
and Calverley were friends, and the latter
watched Dixon's course on the rope with
great interest
On May "a last, Calverley performed his
first feat on the wire at Hsnlan's Island.
His engagement closed there two weeks ago,
and he ut once commenced his preparations
to cross the gorge. About Christmas CAL
verley expects to 60 to Europe, and may
walk there next year.