Over Niagara on a Bicycle.

Evening Star, Issue 7339, 11 October 1887, Page 3

Over Niagara on a Bicycle.

Alphonso King, the water-walking Frenchman, went over Niagara on his waterbicycle on August 13. His machiue has all the elements of the land wheel, only that the big wheel has water-paddles attached to its tire, and was kept on the surface by two long torpedo-shaped floats of sheet iron. King wore a dress suit and silk hat, his only protection from the waves being rubber leggings. Suoerintendentj VY"elch r would not allow the start to b'fe ma'de the reservation dock," 1 so ihe 'bicycle was towed to a point on the American bank directly under the new suspension b.ridge. King putted out until he struck the down current, and then took a diagonal course, The bioycle rolled considerably when the up - current was readied, and it looked as if he must upset. The floats weathered tho treacherous currents and eddies beautifully, and in four and a-half minutes the tired Frenchman landed on the Canadian bank. Ho was greeted with cheers from the bridge and both banks of the river. He was taken into a boat and was found not to have even wet his clothing. Upon arriving o|t tb.e place of starting, Dr John A. Lannigan,'on behalf of Buffalo admirers, presented/the plucky Frenchman ! with a handsome gold badge, s.et wfth a large ruby \vi the centre and, appropriately en- • graved. King purposes to ride his wheel on | New Ifork Harbor from the statue of Liberty to the Brooklyn Bridge.