Leech Plans Second Plunge Over Niagara

1920

BUFFALO, N. Y. — Bobby Leech, the barrel wizard of Niagara Falls, is to risk again the plunge of death over the great Canadian cataracts. He announced that on Aug. 25 he will attempt to successfully duplicate his barrel trip of 1911.

Leech is one of the few who have ridden the falls and the rapids and lived to tell the story. Only a few weeks ago Charles G. Stephen lost his life in an attempt to match Leech's feat. Stephen's barrel was shattered at the base of the great falls, and splintered sections of it, gathered from the stream far below, constituted the first silent testimony of his fate.

In his second gamble with death Leech is playing for a stake of $2,500 and shares of stock in a Canadian steel company. He wins both if he lives. Both are offered by the steel company, which is to make Leech's barrel, because it wishes its product to be submitted to a supreme test of endurance.

Leech will superintend the construction of the barrel. It will be made of aluminum and steel and of an egg-shaped design which Leech has drawn. He also will attend to every detail of the preparation of the steel-treated leather housing in which he will be held within the barrel. He has no doubt that the trip will succeed and declines to be moved by the tragic end suffered by those who have dared and failed before and since his successful trip over the falls nine years ago.

And, apparently, Leech is not the only one who is willing to take the trip, altho he happens to be the only one actually preparing to do so. The mayor has received scores of letters since Stephen's death, expressing a willingness on the part of individuals to risk the fall of death.

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Aug. 7, 1920, p. 3.

139 Ask To "Shoot" Niagara In A Boat

1920

MANY ANSWER MOVIE COMPANY ADVERTISEMENT.

Most of Applicants Seek $1,000 Offered — Others Want Thrill or Experience.

NEW YORK, N. Y. — Think of going over Niagara Falls in a houseboat!

Death came to Charles George Stevens when he tried to ride the 153-foot cataract In a barrel.

Yet 139 husky, red-blooded American young men have gone on record as being ready to try the stunt in a houseboat.

An advertisement appeared recently in one of the New York daily newspapers calling for a man to go over Niagara Falls in a houseboat for a motion picture film. The reward offered was $1,000. The producer expected that possibly five men might apply.

Imagine his astonishment when 139 applicants put in an appearance. Among them was Allan Law, brother of Ruth and Rodman Law.

Majority ex-Army Men.

The majority of those who applied were ex-service men who were overseas. Having faced German bullets in France, they said they were more than willing to attempt Niagara for a thousand dollars. Another interesting fact was that the average age of the applicants was 23 years. Only a few were over 25. The oldest applicant was 48 years of age.

Practically every nationality was represented, and among them were two men who did not know what Niagara Falls is. Upon being informed and being shown pictures of the falls, one of them backed out. Of all who applied, this man and one other were the only ones who resigned.

Another interesting applicant was Frank Dupree, newspaper correspondent, who made the first long-distance aeroplane flight in 1913 from Dover, England, to Cologne, Germany.

Most of 'Em After the Money.

When asked the reasons for seeking so hazardous a job, the majority said "money." Others were lured by the chance for adventure. Practically all were fatalists, who did not for a moment consider the risk. Another interesting feature was the fact that among them were four bank clerks, three security salesmen and one life insurance salesman.

A specially constructed houseboat was made to be used. It includes the compartment and bulkhead construction principle used in lifeboats and the hulls of ocean liners. Tests of the craft show that its scientific construction has reduced to a minimum the risk incurred by the daredevil who rides over the falls.

Stevens, who lost his life in a barrel try at the stunt. was a barber in England, where his wife and eleven children live. He had made parachute drops, high dives and similar feats many times. He used to put his head in a lion's mouth in a circus.

But the question now is — will the motion picture stunt be called off?

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Aug. 7, 1920, p. 3.

The Desire to Leap, Commit Suicide at Niagara Falls

1899

THE DESIRE TO JUMP.

An Unexpected Sensation Experienced by Many Persons.

Many persons who visit Niagara falls find they have a great desire to leap from various points on the several bridges or from one of the numerous points of observation. For this reason, after once having experienced the fascinating sensation that coaxes them on to death in the deep and rapid running waters, they never go near any of the seductive points without being in company with some one who will guard them from harm as a result of what perhaps might be termed by some their weakness.

Many people who have visited Niagara have confessed that the waters of the beautiful river had a weird fascination for them while standing at places where death would be easy by simply letting go one's hold and slipping into the river, and people saved from suicide there have admitted that they knew no reason why they should end their lives, but the scene was so delightful that it coaxed them to seek the peace of death there.

In other places than at Niagara the public comes in touch with folks who, when on an elevation, have a proneness to jump off, and for this reason they keep away from all such danger points. An interesting explanation of this desire is that given some years ago by Professor Low of the army balloon corps. He had frequently invited a newspaper correspondent to make an ascension with him, but each time the invitation was declined.

Later he told the professor of the temptation be had to jump from high places and that he feared making an ascent. For this he was laughed at, the professor stating that the reason people had such desires was that they were full of electricity; that the magnetic current in the earth was the attraction and that what he was standing on carried the current. He also said that up in a balloon the continuity was cut off. Finally the man made an ascension and found that the desire to jump was not present. It is a curious statement. — Philadelphia Record.