The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1894-07-19
FEATS ON A TIGHT WIRE.
Perils of Midair Performers Described hy
Niagara Rope Walker.

AT the end of month Of practice
on a clothes line strung between the
roofs of two tenements." said Clifford
Calverly. the young Niagara rope
walker, to a PHILADELPHIA Press man,
Il could dress and undress on wire.
Then it was that | determined to cross
Niagara.
Il visited the falls and had my wire
stretched across the gorge, 4 distance
of about 1000 feet. The first day
crossed without incident The second
day ran most of the way, and did it
in minutes and % seconds.
"While l was on the wire an acct
dent happened to one Of the guy ropes
and l was precipitated forward.
Fortunately | did not lose my head
and caught by my knees and toes rs
fell forward. Everyone thought
stumbled purposely and since then |
have often taken the dive and caught
by my toes.
Il tried once more. running the
whole distance, and did it in 2 min
uteS 81 10 seconds. | believe | am
the only man who has run across the
falls.
"As | was so successful | determined
to cross AT NIGHT, had not zone ten
feet when sudden squall struck me
and | almost lost nv balance. but |
kept on. l hurried my steps and had
reached the halfway point when sud-
denly, without moments warning.
the electric lights went out.
"Ordinarilv | would not have mind
ed the darkness, but with 2 constantly
veering gale, now in nv face and now
at nv side found it the most difficult
thing in the world to keep my balance.
and, TO add to my discomfort, the rope
began to sway
Sometimes | would have to lie down
and hold on with both hands with the
pole balanced under my chest. Be
tween the flaws of wind | would get
up and creep forward 4 few feet |
would hear the people shouting on the
banks; they had given me UP as dead.
at took all my nerve to keep from
being frightened. Even il was blown
off the wire | was determined to let
them see that / was no coward. SO.
sitting down on the wire. with the pole
well balanced across my knees. | took
advantage of Il lull in the storm and
lit Il cigarette. A moment later q
shout Of JOY went up from my friends
and the multitude gathered on the
farther bank. 1t cave me renewed
courage. and again Ifaced the wind and
made my way on through the darkness.
until at last / reached the shore and
was safe"
William Beck. younp man who
once crossed birh wire on voupo
Calycriy's back. related his experience
as follows:
Il was induced TO accompany Cal.
verify because was assured there was
no danger and one Of the bows bet mo
800 that | did not have the nerve.
"Without noticing that was nerv-
OBS Calverly said Come and draw.
inc my two hands over his shoulders
he lifted me to his back. Cunvulsiye-
" | ciasoed nv lcgs around his waist
and tried to ber him to let me down,
but my tongue was dry and refused TO
speak.
Another moment and we were off.
From below the wire ALWAYS seemed
steady. bln now discovered that il
sacred from side to side and mn and
down. ! held Ca,vcrly 50 closely
about the neck that he was almost
stranoIed.
".L0ok up.' he ouroIed. Int could
not. The Green earth far, far below,
seemed to have fascination for me
that could not resist | lonued 10
plunge downward.
1--WE reached the center of the wire