The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-07
THE TRIPLE TURN.
johnnie WOrISnd's Friends Declare He
Accomplished IL six Times.
Busiasts colleges.
From ne Corning Daily JournaL

From he Corning Doiiy JoWTHdI
In a recent number Of THE Sun an article
was printed con corning Dan O'Brien, an old
circus man, who was visited by four leapers
10 talk over their experiences. Dan O'Briens
-four friends declared that mo man living.
not even they themselves, ever made tho
triple turn, which Ia the end Of ambition for
every good leaper. Man after man hes
worked a lifetime TO acquire this trick. has
believed that he had II, and has been carried
away on a stretcher after the trial" Then
THE Sun added:
Johnnie WorlAnd has been credited with turning
the trok In the old Forepaugh show In 1875. But
Dan OBren said that WorlAhd made only two and
half somersaults ia his flight over nve elephants
and two cAmes.
All Of which is Of interest n johnnie wor-
lands friends in Corning. because Worlsnd
was the circus name OF John ComOsh, who
was Corning boy, and who is now a successful
coal dealer here and one Of this citys best
known business men. John Comosh learned
to tumble In Corning, aud in his teens he
Joined a circus. and for over fifteen year,
was In the sawdust arena, touring the world
under the name Of John Worland with the
biggest shows and rising to the top Of the
profession as a performer lie could do and
did many acts brilliantly, but as a leaper he
was uneQualed for grace. skill and daring.
i il a matter OF record. duly authenticated,
that John Comosb on several occas ions turned
a triple somersRult In the ring Many per-
formers had previously been crippled or
killed in trying 20 accomplish the feat, but
MIR. ComOsh tackled it successfully. TRE
SIN. ban O'Brien and Dams four leaper
friends could consult on this point Col. Z.
Alston Brown Of New York city. widely
known as the historian Of theatricals. and q
recognized authority, who. In an interview
published in THE Sun. Jan. ?, 1895. said:
The first man to ATTEMPT to turn a triple
somersault was a performer in Van Am
burgh's Circus in Mobile. Ala in 1912. He
broke his neck william J. Hobbies made
the attempt at Astley's Amphitheater. Lon
don during the season Of 1850. he was in
stAntly killed. The next one was John Amar.
He had been successfully turning a double
and was the original Ia accomplishing i over
Wight MI England, in i 1850 turned twice. landed
on his forehead and broke his neck. Sam
BSiiey's Circus became dissatisfied with the
double someTsault feat and was anxious 70
do triple He did Il at Toledo. Ohio, in $50.
sllghted on the broad Of his back. and was
disabled for some time; Billy, Dutton &C
complished the feat at Elkhart, Ind, summer
Of 1850, but he never made another attempt.
Bob Stickney did II while practising at a
gymnasium on Fourteenth street. and not.
stlckney aiiShted in a blanket. but he never
successfully did It by alghting on his feet.
Frank Starks Undertook the feat at Indianap-
oils, Ind. June 1879 lie aliRhted % bis
head. dislocating his neck, and died in few
sThe only person, living or dead. who 40
complished the feat successfully more than
once was John Worand, living at the present
day at Corning. n. Y. This gentleman threw
q triple somersault six times from a trampo-
line board. The first time he attempted i
was at 81. Louis In September, 1919. with
made three trials over five horses. In two OF
which he landed on his back. His third at
tempt was more successful, as he lAnoed on
hIs feet The NEXT time he tried WAS at ~
Louis in 1915. with Howes London circus
Bob Ellingham was the TtnRmaster. and he
made the announcement to the audience.
posture He did IL again at Eau Claire. 1891.
with Adam Forepaugh's show; also, a few
days afterward. at La Crosse, and on both
occasions at the afternoon show, s, s. Smith
sion all the members Of the company made
afldavit 20 the fact. The last time that he
accomplished the feat was at New Haven In
1854. with the Forepaugh show. in the DIT eaenos
CORES pondents. James Melville. the Aus
tral,an bareback rider. made the announce
ment. on this occasion he had performer
run down the board and turn a single someT-
BILE somersault after which Worland ran
down the board and threw triple somer-
sault landing on a bed on his feet. az straiGht
as any double he ever turned. Charles Davis,
III has been seriously doubted that a triple
somersault was ever accomplished before
circus aud ence after due announo cement.
and under the same conditions as double
performer who has a great command OF a
double, which Mr.. Worland had In a better
degree than most performers Ind over sin Gle,
For years he did nothin 9 but double. and
ATTEMPTED a trnie he did not run a. great
risk as others who attempted the feat.