The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-04-20

make the ascension and jump, I did
not hesitate. but, dOnning a tinsel suit.
entered the car and began my first
journey skyward. amid a chorus Of
half-suppreSSed EXPLANATIONS of ad-
miration from an immense throng of
spectators. As l saw the earth drop
ping from me and the human forms
below growing shorter and smaller, I'M
til they appeared like the tiniest in
sects. l contrived to maintain my
nerve. and. leaning over the edge of the
basket, or car, bravely threw kisses to
the gaping crowd almost beneath.
When l had assembled nearer heaven
than 1 had ever been before-say 1000
or 1.50O feet-I prepared to make my
maiden leap, being particularly careful
that my every movement should be
seen by the crowd of spectators away
down beneath on the earth.
After a time / pulled open the
escape valve of the balloon, which
slowly began to descend after remain
ing stationary for a brief moment.
Then / clutched the trapeze bar. which
was attached to the parachute. kissed
my hand to the expanse of upturned
faces below. shut both eyes and made
a bold jump out into space, and shot
like an arrow earthward. My feeling
at that critical moment can best he
described as one of all-gonenesS, but
grimly and desperately / clutched the
bar in my hand. and, with my heart
in my mouth. anxiously awaited the
sharp swapping sound which would
announce the opening of the parachute
But the sound did not come. Great
Cod how the seconds few by and still
the accused canvas did not open.
Though darling earthward rapidly,
fatally. hope did not desert me.
My mind. under the excitement, be-
w lrc,1
below and saw the earth rapidly ap-
preaching I concluded that my chance
OF escape from figuring as the chief OBJ
ject of interest at a funeral was too
small TO mention. l resolved that my
tragic death should be the best adver-
tisement that Dan Rice's circus ever
received. but the thought of how well
the show was prepared to herald the
sad event far and near was poor cOnso-
lation at that trying moment.
Suddenly the despaired-of sharp
swapping sound rang upon my ears
Thank God the parachute had opened
1 was saved. and that. too, at the last
possible moment. Ny descent was at
once checked. and the earth was not
200 feet away. 1t was with assumed
ease that 1 finally landed upon the
ground. and 1 doubt if any. save the
circus people. in that great crowd
knew how near had been to death
when Billings subsequently learned
of my perilOuS leap with the parachute
and narrow escape from a terrible
death he came with tears in his eyes.
and taking my hand. vowed that he
would never again touch an intoxicant-
He was true TO his vow. and remained
in my employ until his death from
natural causes several years later. AL
ways l have been a stickler for tenn
perate habits on the part of my en-
ployes Of ali kinds, and in settling
with them always made an allowances
Of money for those who had refrained
from over-indulgence in strong drink.
AS a result | had better control over my
company than had the average circus
proprietor. If you want sobriety to
prevail in a circus. or anywhere else
for that matter. make it an object to
the people to keep sober.