PERILOUS FEATS AT NIAGARA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1559, 21 September 1886, Page 4

PERILOUS FEATS AT NIAGARA.

The latest craze for notoriety in the navigation - of the (whirlpool at Niagara Falls. A cooper Damned Graham recently made a trip concealed in a barrel specially prepared, and on August 20ih ventured again in a barrel with bis head exposed. Both experiments were (successful ; but a fisherman named Scott attempted the feat the same afternoon, and perished. He swam in a cork suit. Ah hoor after bo started bis body was picked up near the town wbeie he had lived. The body was not much marked, but the indications seem to.show t><the f. rce of the wnt'-r preaaed the breath out of the man. Buf- . faio, N. f., is fud of “ cranks" wanting to distinguish themselves in their w<yi One Jamb Scomber, a cooper, of Manchester, proposes to fihat in a barrel down Niapa a Kivcr on theCatindhin side, plunge over Horseshoe Falls, and continue through the rapids to Lewiston; Graham, though successful on two occasions, had a rough time, and says be had enough of it. ; On Sunday, August 22rid, William J, Kendall, of Boston, guarded by a cork \es', swam the rapids successfully for 1000 dollars, his portion of a wager of 10,000 between Boston parties. Ihere were few spectators. Kendall says at the spot where Captain Webb is supposed to have lost his life, his feet seemed to go from under him, and a huge wave struck him on the head and shoulders, knocking him; unconscious for a few moments. He found his swimming abilities of no use whatever, and never expected to come out alive. When entering the whirlpool imwas so, benumbed and partly unconscious he did not use a limb. He did not know what he was doing. The current took him right into the main eddy, and sucked him down like a flash, keeping him down fully fifteen seconds. Upon ' reaching ’ the undercurrent he was shot out of the pool fully fifty feet from its centre. When be reached the surface of the water he had partly recovered consciousness, and knowing there was no time toepare before he was dashed down the lower rapids, swam to the shore. He fainted,.and it took half an horn to bring him tp.“ Wou'd he make another try he was asked, and emphatically **No,” he replied ;; “there's not money enough in the world to repeat this afternoon’s experience.* A child would have tha same chance to go through the rapids and come oat all right as an experienced swimmer." It took him three minutes to go from the railroad bridge to the whirlpool. Kendall is twenty-four years of age, 6ft 2m in height, weigh 1951 b, and is well proportioned. j