The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-06
D|AVOLO ESCAPES DEATH IN THE LOOP Trap Fails to Work at Critical
 Moment. HE HAS A NARROW ESCAPE With Rare Presence of Mind Rider Saw Accident and Leaped for
 the Net-Wants to
 Try Again.
HE HAS A NARROW ESCAPE

For the first time In his career Dlavolo had a narrow escape from death last night while trying to loop the loop at the Orphans Home carnival. Just after Dia- Volo struck the spring board at the top of the loop which sets the trap for his recep- tion he noticed that the lower section of the loop that was raised mechanically to | complete the circle had failed to meet evenly the upper edge of the loop. The pathway was broken by the aperture so that the plank was raised several inches on one side of the black path which Dia- volo must follow with his wheel.
 With rare presence of mind the young man saw his danger when suspended head downward at the top of the loop, and he took a desperate chance to save his life. In a second he veered his wheel to the right and made a leap Tor the net F For- tunately he struck just a few inches be- low the top, and he and the wheel rolled to the ground. DIavolo was himself unhurt but the left pedal of his wheel struck the edge of the loop with such force that 1t was snapped short off. although it was made of heavy wrought iron.
 Diavolo was undaunted by his narrow escape, however, and insisted on trying the loop once more until he was told that his bicycle was broken. As it was he came rearer death than ever before, although he was as steady when he reached the ground as when he first started up the incline.
 When the great crowd in the hippo drome saw the wheel and rider fly off the | loop an intense silence reigned. A num- Der of women came near fainting, and the tension was frightful, but it lasted only Q few seconds. Wher the people saw that Diavolo was unhurt a shout of applause went up.
 First Accident in Public.
 Diavolo has been looping the loop about a year. Although he had several tumbles while learning his trick, this was the first accident he has had in public. It was only by great presence of mind that he saved himself this time, for had he struck the raised part of the loop he would have been shot as from a catapult across the wooden ,platfcDnetaward which. Sa was ft.ng Ine defect in the mechan- ism of the loop was inexplicable, as it Is the first tima that the spring has ever | failed to work
 | The accident did not have any effect on Marvelo, however, and he made his high dive successfully although he said that the tank was not full of water. as it | should have been.
 Last night and yesterday afternoon were characterized by the same large crowds that attended Wednesday. The newsboys of the Birmingham News were l out in force and were extended the cour- tesies of the carnival. Last night was also T. P. A. night. A large number of visiting delegates were taking In the sights. This afternoon the newsboys of | the Age-Herald will assemble at the | Age-Herald building at 1:30 o'clock and | will be escorted to the rair grounds by Fred Van Sicken. press agent for the Mundy Amusement company. The boys will be taken to the animal show first. then to the hippodrome and after the high dive Is made they will be shown through all the other shows
 Will Be Shaved Tonight. The statement in yesterday mornings paper that prominent business man of Birmingham would be shaved In the den of lions last night was mistake. This novel feature is scheduled for tonight and the man who will be shaved by Col- onel Mundy is Pete Houppert of Birming- | ham. He will have his beard taken off | tonight by Colonel Mundy in the main enclosure where the lions do their tricks l while Captain Ricardo drills his pets for l the audience.
 l As all the children were not able to at | tend last Monday the management has 1 decided to make Saturday second chill l drens day, when all the little folks In | town under fl years of age will be ad- mitted free to the grounds. They will be | allowed to enter the hippodrome and the 1 animal show for cents each. All the | other shows will be free The cnarge for | the two main shows Is but fraction of | the regular admission price.
 Saturday at noon Mir Houppert will | also give $5 gold ipece to some man l who will be turned loose in the carnival ] crowds. The first child wno Is fortunate 1 enough to ask this man for the money | will receive the gold piece as a prize. | The little folks will have to ask every man they see in the carnival grounds un- | til they find the right person. When the man is found he will take the child who | finds him to the front of the animal show where the winner will be announced Today will also be Birmingham day and the attendance will probably be un- usually large. All the shows are doing rushing business and so far excellent | order has been maintained in the car | nival grounds
 
 NpEAT nAMAHE Ic nNNE