"HUMAN CANNON-BALL"
The story behind the doath of Gas ton Richard, the "Human Cannon-ball,': is a very sad one. He had been shot from his cannon moro times than he could remember, and had saved enough to retire on a year ago at the age of 52. So he put his cannon in a shed behind his house and said goodbye to the show business.
When friends begged him to give his "turn" at a Paris fair, he demurred. "No, I'm too old now," he said. But finally ho gave way, because a local charity was to benefit.
Ho got into the white uniform he wore for his act and set off for the fair with his. wife. She had never before had tho courage to be present when, he was shot from the cannon, but, as this was to bo the very last time, she thought sho would like .to see him.
"Thin is tho last time I'll do it," he confided to an old colleague, who was pinioning him for the act. And it. was. Tho cannon did not catapult him far enough, and he fell short of tho net. Terribly injured, he died beforo he could be got to hospital.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19341025.2.11
Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 100, 25 October 1934, Page 3
Word Count
203"HUMAN CANNON-BALL" Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 100, 25 October 1934, Page 3
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