NIAGARA ADVENTURE

Evening Star, Issue 14513, 3 November 1910, Page 3

NIAGARA ADVENTURE

A TERRIBLE PLIGHT. An cx-paintcr named Williams, now performing as a tight-rope walker under the style of “ The Great Houndiu,” had a terrible experience during the progress of a big carnival at Niagara Fa'ls recently. The day was being observed as a civic holiday by the twin cities of Niagara Falls, and Williams had arranged to furnish a thrilling termination to the afternoon’s merry-making by executing a “ slide for life ” across the gorge from the American to the Canadian shore, hanging by his teeth from the sloping wire which ho had suspended between the cliffs. Through a miscalculation, however, he stopped short in the middle of his slide, and was cuiy rescued after half an hour of agony, shared by the crowd.: who wore watching him.

At baif-past five Williams made ready for lb<, daring feat. He was to slide rapidly across tho gorge, waving the Stars and {stripes m one band and the flag of Canada in the other, and amid the acclamations of 100,000 people he swung himself outwards over the abyss But he had neglected to provide sufficiently against tho risk of sagging duo to the weight of his body, and his progress, after becoming gradually more rapid as he neared, the centre, came suddenly to an end almost immediately above the swirling current from the power tunnel. Prom the upper steel bridge a couple of hundred feet away the watchers could plainly see the expression of agonised fear which passed over his countenance as he realised his terrible predicament, and in response to his frantic signals for assistance, made with the flags he was carrying, encouraging messages were shouted to him through a megaphone, white long ropes were fetched and other preparations made for rescue. Williams clutched the rope grimly, and the crowds waited in silence. At length firemen on the bridge cleverly shot a ropo across the cable, where it was made fast at one end by Williams. It was sufficiently long for its other end to dangle dose to the river, and down what seemed from the shore the frailest of thread he lowered himself. The famous little steamer Maid of the Mist, which makes journeys to tho foot of the falls, was now being brought up by a smart commander, and it was not long before the rope, with Williams still a good way up, was seized on board. The danger, however, was not by any means past. To keep the Maid of the Mist stationary in such a current required almost phenomenal skill, and once the'little steamer was swept rapidly towards the Canadian bank, dragging the rope with her in a maimer that made everyone gasp. Captain Carter, nevertheless, managed to bring her round again, and at length, amid tumultuous cheering, Williams, thoroughly exhausted end shaken nearly senseless, dropped on to her deck. The captain of the Maid of the Mist is expected to receive a medal for saving the. performer's U&.