Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-03-27
A TERRIBLE FEAT.

. Mr.. Harry Colcord, who was carried
across Niagara Falls on Blondin's back
on tight rope in 1850, has lately
been recalling the experience, and his
talk is reported in the Buffalo Express.
He met Blondin in Boston in 1858,
but it was not till early in 1860 that
Blondin btoached his plan of taking
him across Niagara. At fret Colcord
took the matter as a joke, but it was
soon plain that Blondin was in. earnest.
The rope was 1000 feet long and three
inches in Diameter. Nearly five
months were spent in getting it made
and put into position, with guy.ropes
and every arrangement for safety.
"Blondin had instructed me to put
my weight on bis shoulders only with
nv arms, and clasp his body with my
legs. I could not put my weight on
his legs, as that would cucumber his
movements.
"In July, 1860, everything being
ready, I took my place on Blondin's
back, and we started to cross the rope.
"We began the passage from the
Canadian side, and as I had to bear my
weight on Blondin's shoulders, and
could only use my arms to support
myself, frequent rests were necessary.
told Blondin when I wanted to rest,
and then dropped down on the rope
with one foot, and waited till my arms
were relieved, when would spring
up again, using my arms to lift and
hold myself in place.
"There was a great crowd present,
but I did not see it at first. From my
place on Blondin's back / could look
out to the American side, and see be-
low US the stunted pines thrusting
their sharp points up from the edge OF
the foaming, roaring waters, ready to
split us in two if we fell. remember
that was anxious to get over, and
recall, too that the great rope before US
swung alarmingly. We afterward as.
certained that it had been swinging 40
feet at the centre.
"Be1ow US, two hundred and fifty
feet roared the river, and over it we
swung from side to side. Still moving
on steadily, Blondin never trembled.
When he gone about ten feet on the
middle span, some one on the American
side pulled the outer guy-line. We
afterward found out that it was done
Intentionally.
"Blondin stopped, and his pole went
from side to side in vain effort to Sc
cure his balance. AT one time his pole
was up and down on the left, and l re-
call now with wonder that / was only
curious to know whether he would
succeed in gaining control of himself
or not.
"Failing to get his balance, he started
to run across the horrible span, and in
safety reached the point where the
came from the American
shore. Then to steady himself Blon-
din put his foot on the guy-rope and
tried to stop; but the guy snapped,
and with dash of speed he ran swift
ly 25 or 80 feet farther, and said, 'De-
scendez vous y
"The perspiration now stood out on
his neck and shoulders in great beads,
and we balanced ourselves on the
swaying rope. Presently he said, AL
lons,' and l raised myself to his shoul-
ders, and we went on safely and with.
out further accident toward the shore.
"It was not, however, until we land
ded that I appreciated what we had
done. Then it occurred to me that the
man who pulled the guy line must have
been one of those who had bet that
the feat could never be accomplished,
and my Indignation mastered all other
feelings.
"You see, many thousands of dollars
were bet upon the ability of Blondin to
carry man over, and human cupidity
stops at no sacrifice.
"Then came the congratulations and
praises, so that in my foolish boyish
elation soon forgot everything else.
~ shall never forget the wonderful
tableau which the hundred thousand
people presented as they stood gazing
81 II,