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A dare devil
from our own area, Clifford Calverley born the year 1870
in Clarksburg, set records while wire walking across the great Niagara
Falls Gorge. He was, the local press marveled, “by far the most intrepid
performer who ever dares the rocks and rapids of the Niagara River.”
His first performance took place on the afternoon of Wednesday, Oct. 12,
1892. Calverley's wire rope, 2.5 cm thick and 273 m long was stretched
across the NiagaraGorge just a short distance from the railway suspension
bridge.
Wearing light blue tights, red trunks and a “soft turn-up hat”, Calverley
began his performance without hesitation and stepped out onto his wire
carrying a nine-kilogram, six-metre-long balancing pole. The first part of
the show saw him practically run across the wire making record time by
reaching the American side in just over two-and-a-half minutes.
Incredibly he started doing stunts only four months prior to being at the
Falls. His stunts included lying on the wire and hanging by one hand and
then by his toes. He shocked the crowds by shooting forward off the wire
then catching it again with his toes. During one of his shows he carried a
wheelbarrow containing a stove which he then proceeded to light and
cooked himself breakfast.
Not only did Calverley’s artistry on the tightrope earn him a place in Ni-
agara Falls history but also his hometown history as well. This daredevil
dared to live a long life and passed away on December 17, 1946 at the
age of 76. He was buried in the Thornbury-Clarksburg Union cemetery
where his gravestone remains today.
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Escarpment Magaz ine Summer 2012
escarpment
summer 2012
AFTERSHOT
PHOTO & STORY | SUZANNE C. PURDY
CURATOR | THE CRAIGLEITH HERITAGE DEPOT
Escarpment Aftershot Contest
- Do you have a great Fall photo from
our area that would make an interesting, eye-catching Aftershot? Enter it into our
Aftershot Contest and you could win a $200 gift Certificate to Copper Blues Bar & Grill.
Rules: Open to everyone. Must be a Fall theme. Must be CMYK, 300 dpi. or black and white.
For upload information please contact Clay Dolan -
Entries MUST be submitted by Sept. 1, 2012.
