Niagara — Historical and Reminiscent 



rope to the American side in seven minutes, including a stop in the 1902 

 center to view the falls. The balance-pole he carried was about "" ap 

 thirty-eight feet long and weighed forty-five pounds. While 

 an admission-fee was charged to the Pleasure Ground, Blondin's 

 principal source of compensation was through collections taken 

 up among the crowds on the river bank. His first trip was wit- 

 nessed by thousands of people who had traveled long distances 

 to see him. 



Blondin's second performance was given on July 4th of the 

 same year in the presence of a still larger crowd, and this time 

 he walked with a sack over his head and body, his legs and feet 

 being free. On July 1 4, 1 859, the Hon. Millard Fillmore wit- 

 nessed his performance. On this occasion Blondin stopped in 

 the center of the cable, and at a signal from the steamer " Maid 

 of the Mist " in the river below, he held out his hat, and Captain 

 Travis, a famous pistol-shot, sent a bullet through the rim of it, 

 after which the hat was lowered to the steamer's deck. After 

 crossing to Canada, Blondin returned, dressed as a monkey, and 

 trundled a wheelbarrow over the rope. On Wednesday, August 

 3, 1859, Blondin, before the largest crowd of that year, made 

 a trip over the rope in less than six minutes, taking time to stand 

 on his head. On his fifth trip Blondin carried Harry Colcord 

 on his back. Colcord weighed one hundred and forty-five 

 pounds, and that portion of the trip over the center where there 

 were no guys was especially thrilling. On landing, both Blondin 

 and Colcord were carried on the shoulders of the crowd to a 

 carriage. On August 31,1 859, Blondin gave his first night per- 

 formance. At each end of the rope locomotive headlights were 

 placed to give illumination. On his pole he carried colored lights, 

 and when in the center these lights gave out, leaving him in dark- 

 ness. Those close by the cable felt for the vibration, which told 

 them he was safe as they felt his careful tread. Blondin closed 

 the season by crossing with baskets on his feet and shackles on 

 his body. On returning from Canada he carried a table and a 

 chair. When a third of the way across, he attempted to seat him- 

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