Hopkinsville, Kentuckian April 1900
Feats of Daring
Balloonist Has a Narrow Escape and High Diver Hurt
Henderson, Ky April 15
About 5,000 excursionists gathered here today to witness three of the most
daring feats ever performed in this section. George Slackey walked
a high wire that was attached to the bridge superstructure, carrying a
man on his back. Fred Loomis made a balloon ascension suspended only
by his neck.
When at a great altitude the parachute became entangled, and the hot
air becoming exhausted, he descended rapidly, landing directly on the bridge
about midway the river. As if by a miracle the man escaped with only
slight bruises. Matthew Gray turned a back somersault from the channel
span of
the bridge, and came within an ace of losing his life, being dragged
from the river in insensible condition. The pluck little fellow had
fractured one of the bones of his right forearm in making a leap from the
top of the Cairo bridge last week, and in trying to protect this arm, which
was bound in
splints, he lost control and struck the water with his right side.
Gray says he is uninjured, excepting his arm, but it is thought he has
sustained internal injuries.
Submitted to KYHENDER Mail List by
Betty
Sellers
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