Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1897-06-10
A Terrible Feat.
ACROSS NIAGARA ON BLONDIN's
BACK.

BACK.
Mr.. Harry Colcord, who was car
ried across Niagara Falls on Blon-
din's back on tight rope in 1860,
has lately been recalling the expert
ence, and his talk is reported in the
Buffalo Express. He met Blondin
in Boston i'm 1853, but it was not till
early in 1860 that Blondiu broached
his plan of taking him across Niagara.
At first Colcord took the matter as
joke, but it was soon plain that Blon-
din was in earnest. The rope was
two thousand feet long and three
inches in diameter. Nearly five
months were spent in getting it
made and put into position, with
guy-r0pes and every arrangement
for safety.
Blondin had instructed me to put
my weight on his shoulders only with
my arms, and clasp his body with
my legs. / could not put my weight
on his legs, as that would cucumber
his movements.
In July, 1860, everything being
ready l took my place on Bloudin's
back, and we started to cross the
rope.
We began the passage from the
Canadian side, and as | had to bear
my weight on Blondin's shoulders,
ana could only use my arms to sup
port myself, frequent rests were
necessary. | told BlOndin when
wanted to rest, and then dropped
down on the rope with one foot, and
Wpitp1 fill
when l would spring up again, using
my arm to lift Gnd hold myself in
place.
There was great crowd present,
but ] did not see it at first. From
my place on Blondin's back / could
look out to the American side, and
see below us the Stunted pines thrust
ing their points up from the edge of
the foaming, roaring waters, ready
to split us in two if we fell. / re-
| member that / was anxious to get
over, and i recall, too, that the great
rope before us swung alarmingly.
We afterward ascertained that it
had been swinging forty feet at the
centre.
Below us, two hundred and fifty
teet, roared the river, and over it we
swung from side to side. Still NOV.
ing on steadily, Blondiu never trem.
bled. When he had gone about ten
feet on the middle span, some one
pulled the outer guy-line. We after
ward found out that it was done in,
tentionally.
Blondln stopped, and his pole went
from side to side i'm vain effort &c
secure his balance. At one time his
pole was up and down on the left
and l 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 poin
where the guy-rope came from the
American shore. Then to steady
himself Blondin put his foot on thu
guy-rope and tried to stop but the
guy snapped, and with dash O
speed he ran swiftly twenty-five o
thirty feet farther, and said
December uousp
The perspiratiOn now stood out oI
his neck and shoulders in great beads
and we balanced ourselves on tn
sWaying rope. Presently he said
Aaons,' and | raised myself to hi
shoulders, and We went safely an,
without further accident toward tn
shore.
1t was not, however, until W
landed that l appreciated what W
had done. Then it occurred to III
that the man who pulled the guy-itn
must have been one of those VIII
had bet that the feat could never b
accomplished, and my indignatio
mastered all other feelings.
You see, many thousands of dolla,
} were bet upon the ability of Blondi
to carry a man over, and human CT
pidity stops at no sacrifice.
Then came the congratulations an
! praises, so that in my foolish boyis
elation l soon forgot everythir
0 else.
L shall never forget the wonde
8 tul tableau which the hundred tho
g sand people presented as they stoC
r gazing up at us as we approached IL
q shore thousands of them turned the
faces away, or, halfturning, cast an
ious glances over their shoulders
- US az we drew near the bank. The
;, the crowd became very much g
V cited, surged toward us, and Blond
Q stopped fearing they would push ea
other over the bank.
r, When the crowd was still aga
: Biondin started once moro, and wi
l. a quick run we soon came to the el
Il of the rope and sprang to the groun
Cheer after cheer went up, and "
- seized in the arms of a man w
y lifted ne high in the air, sayir
q Thank God, this terrible feat
over y"
| MOLTKE AND TILE IANnIDRD