Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1897-06-24
Across Niagara on BIondin's Back.

ried across Niagara Falls on Blondin 5
back on a tight rope in 1860, 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 broached his plan
of taking him across Niagara. At first
Colcord took the matter as joke, but
it was soon plain that Blondin was IN
earnest. The rope was two thousand
feet long and three inches in diameter.
Nearly five months were spent in get
ting it made and put into position
with guy-rores and every arrangement
for safety.
"Blondln had instructed me to put
my weight on his shoulders only with
my arms, and clasp his body with my
legs. I could not put my weight on
his legs, as that would cucumber his
movements.
an July, 1860, everything being
ready, l took my place on Blondins 5
back. and we started TO cross the rope.
I'VE began the passage from the
Canadian side, and as had to bear
my weight on Blondin's shoulders,
and could only use my arms to support
myself, frequent rests were necessary.
I told Blondin when | wanted to rest,
and then dropped down on the rope
with one foot and waited till my arms
were relieved, when l would spring up
again, using my arm to lift and hold
myself in place.
There was great crowd present,
but | did not see it at first From my
place on Blondln's back | could look
out to the American side, and see be-
low us the stunted pines thrusting their
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
alarrningly. We aiterward ascertained
that it had been swinging forty feet at
the center.
Below MS, two hundred and fifty
feet roared the river, and over it we
swung from side to side. Still moving
on steadily, Blonlin never trembled.
When he had gone about ten feet on
the middle span, someone pulled the
outer guy-lme. We afterward found
out that it was done intentionally.
"Blondin stopped, and his pole went
from side to side in a vain effort to Sc
cure his balance. At one time his pole
was up and down on the left, and |
was only curious to know whether he
would succeed in gaining control Of
himself or not.
Failing to get his balance, he start
ed to run across the horrible span, and
in safety reached the point where the
guy-rope 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 twenty-five or thirty feet farther,
and said, 'Decendez vousl
THE perspiration now stood out on
his neck and shoulder in great beads,
and we balanced ourselves on the
swaying rope. Presently he said
'Allons, and raised myself to hls
shoulders, and we went safely and
without further accident toward the
shore.
1T was not, however, until we land
ed that 1 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 accom-
plished, and my Indignation mastered
all other feelings.
"You see, many thousands Of dol
lars were bet upon the ability Of Blon-
din to carry man over, and human
cupidity stops at no sacrifice.
Then came the congratulations and
praises, 30 that in my foolish boyish
elation I soon forgot everything else.
81 shall never forget the wonderful
tableau which the hundred thousand
people presented as they stood gazing
mp at US as We approached the shore,
thousands Of them turned their faces
away, or, half turning. cast anxious
glances over their shoulders at US as
we drew near the bank. Then the
crowd became very much excited
surged toward us, and Blondin stopped
fearing they would push each other
over the bank.
When the crowd was still again
Blondin started once more, and with
a quick run We soon came to the end