The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1907-09-06

49, NAfN 'esFNetu1tE1 lXIrzr<<1k1F
introduced so many thrilling and un.
usual acts to the American public that
circus-goers are never surprised when
something a little newer and little
more hazardous than It's predecessors
is announced for the big shows per-
formances.
Some OF the recent "thrillers," al
though sensational in the extreme,
have depended to considerable ex.
tent upon ceverlydesigned and skill.
fully constructed mechanism for their
success. In ski-saillng, the newest and
most startling OF the Barnum & Bailey
"thrillers," the successful execution of
the act depends absolutely upon the
nerve and cleverness of the performer.
There Is, of course, a runway. This
Is introduced purely because of the
necessity for securing momentum for
the performers perlous aerial flight.
The runway Is ninety feet long, and
Is crowned ut It's apex, sixty feet In
the air, by small platform. The run
way Is inclined at an angle of about
40 degrees. At It's lowest point, where
1t comes within two or three feet OF
touching the ground, there Is a sharp
bow In the runway and the end alb.
ruptly turns upward. Seventynve feet
away, on the ground, is n receiving
cushion.
When the time Is ripe for the act,
Capt. Carl Howclson, the intrepid ski
jumper takes his position on the ell
evated platform. He is short, stocly,
well-built, with muscles that stand out
on his legs and arms like whipCOrds.
Fastened to his feet are long Scandl-
navian skees.
The neryy performer poses himself
for his perilous flight. All eyes are
turned upward. SO far as the audience
| can see there are no evidences of fear
or nervousness. Below him Is that
long stretch of runway. Beyond that
Is the yawning, death-invitng chasm.
Nothing in the ski-sailor's manner sug-
! gests the slightest doubt of his ability
| to leap that awful gap, and land safely
on the distant cushion.
Presently the equestrian director
calls:
Are you ready?"
Clearly and distinctly comes the re
Spouse.
"All ready"
"Then-go"
The ski-Jumper darts forward,
strikes the incline with his skees close
together, glides down the declivity
with the speed of sled on frozen
hillside, rises in the bow Of the run
way, and shoots into the air. The
aerial curve that he makes Is de-
scribed as beautiful and thrilling For
moment, when he has reached the
greatest elevation, the performer
seems to pause in the air, like a bird
hesitating in its flight, and, then APP
parently acquiring new momentum he
darts forward again, lands on the re-
ceiving cushion and slides a distance
of twenty feet before coming to a stop.
The entire act is sensation In the ex-
IRENE, and its effect upon the audi
ence is phenomenal.
Capt. Howelsen, the hero of this ex-
, traordinary act, is the champion ski
Juniper VI Lue WOTlu. he NOUS seven
ty gold and silver medals and other
trophies for his daring feats on skees.
His greatest riumphs have been won
in the mountains of Norway, where he
has a record of having successfully
crossed chasm with a yawning open
ing over a hundred feet in width.
For this great feat, which occurred
just before the separation Of Norway
and Sweden, he was awarded a hand
some cup by King Oscar. On another
occasion he was the recipient of a
prize cup from Crown Prince Gustaf.
Capt. Howelsen's performance is
made to conform as closely as possible
to the conditions existing in the coun-
tries of northern Europe, where ski
sailing is the most popular as well as
the most dangerous of winter sports.
1t is entirely new to America, and will
be seen here for the first time during
the visit of the big show next Tuesday.