The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-07-10
SHOT THE RAPIDS.
Peter Nissen Goes Through the
Niagara Whirlpool in a Boat.

Niagara Falls, N. Y, July 10.-Peter
Nissen. of Chicago. or Mr.. Bowser. as
he styles himself went through the
whirlpool rapids of the Niagara river
yesterday afternoon in the presence of
about 10000 persons in his craft, the
Fool Killer. The boat was lowed to q
rock about a mile above the rapids and
secured. The point was difficult to
reach by officials from either the Amer
lean or Canadian shores, who have been
disposed to interfere with the much ad-
vertiSed adventure.
Shortly after o'clock Mr.. Bowser
was seen on his boat. a little later
James LaBland pulled up in a row
boat and towed the Fool Killer, with
BOwser aboard, into the current At
1857 the start down the stream was ac-
tually commenced, but the tickle eddies
kept the Fool Killer drifting about
until 4:50 when she got into the whir1-
pool current and started for the final
plunge Passing under the cantilever,
the boat took on the speed of an ex-
press train. Bowser threw his oar far
from him and waved his cap. The
crowd saw the craft rise on the crest
of a smooth wave and then dive into
the leaping spray and disappear. The
strange craft turned over and over like
a top, rolling and plunging until it
passed a bend in the river, and the most
perilous part of the journey had been
passed. The buoyant craft kept ON the
crest of the waves until submerged
again on the verge of the whirlpool.
Shooting into the whirlpool the Fool
Killer swung around and went down
like a fishing bob, but rose again quick
ly For the next five minutes BOwSer
and his boat circled around the whirl-
pool. Shortly before o'clock the Fool
Killer was carried out to the edge of
the rapids and a line was thrown by
Bowser to a man on shore, who hauled
him in. His first question was: How
is that for Bowser?''
fe mr.
four feet deep, and is made of two
inch pine. with four alright compart-
ments The keel weighs 1,250 pounds.
Bowser warmed himself at a fire built
on the shore and put on dry clothing,
and appeared to be little the worse for
his mad ride.
Had I known how bad the whirlpool
rapids are I would never have attempt
ed that trip" he said. After I had
passed through the first big waves I re-
allied that my hat had been washed off.
Then some more waves came over me
and I did not know where 1 was I did
not know what was going on until I
came out in the whirlpool During that
brief time it seemed that a hundred
hammers were pounding my head and
my bOst. never turned over, but We
were on our side or end several times;
and each time I thought that I was
gOner If It had not been for the
shoulder straps which put on the last
minute I would have been hurled to
except the fearful sensation of being
overwhelmed with blows from every
side. I was mighty cold and tired when
I came out at the whirlpool. Three or
four times my breath was nearly gone
and when the water would open and I
would get a breath of air I could not
see my steering apparatus When I got
into the rapids the water took COM
plete control of the boat and I simply
chung on and tried to keep my breath
in my body"
WHO BOWSER IS.
Chicago, July 10.-"F. NJ. Bowser'' is
the Falls shooting alias of Peter Mis-
sen, who resides at SIS Francisco
street, Chicago. Nissen is a Dane, 81
years of age. and until recently has
acted as bookkeeper for Jessen & Ros-
berg. 126 North Union street. He has
been a resident of Chicago for seven
teen years
Nissen's boat was finished in this city
last May, requiring thirteen months to
complete it. After a trial trip on Lake
Michigan it was shipped to Niagara
Falls Tune %