Update about blogCa

Who knew all this would happen afterwards! I used to write several blogs, but thought just concentrating on one would be easier for me and my readers. Sorry, it ends up having several topics in each post!

Saturday, March 26, 2022

Miscellaneous sepia pics and one story

 



Thomas Edison with his first electric car 1895

New York City ca. 1905

Delivering Coca Cola 1909


A young(ish) woman who did stunts! (I question the age that was published)
Annie Edson Taylor poses with the barrel in which she rode over Niagara Falls in 1901.

ANNIE EDSON TAYLOR

ON OCTOBER 24TH, 1901 ANNIE TAYLOR BECAME THE FIRST PERSON AND THE FIRST WOMAN TO GO OVER THE FALLS IN A BARREL AND SURVIVE.

Ms Taylor, a 63 year old school teacher from Michigan, accompanied by her cat, decided to tempt fate in an effort to gain fame and fortune.

The Pan American Exposition was taking place in Buffalo, New York and Ms. Taylor felt she would be able to attract a huge crowd. On the afternoon of October 24th, 1901 a small boat towed the barrel containing Ms. Taylor and her cat into the main stream of the Niagara River where it was cut loose.

At approximately 4:30 p.m. the barrel was seen edging over the brink, only to reappear less than a minute later where it was seen floating at the base of the falls. Fifteen minutes later the barrel reappeared close to the Canadian shore, where it was dragged to a rock and the barrel lid removed.

To everyone's amazement, Annie Taylor emerged from her barrel, dazed but triumphant. Her only injury was a cut on her forehead that she received while being extracted from her barrel.

Mrs. Annie Edson Taylor was the first person to ever go over the Mighty Niagara Falls and survive and she undoubtedly found the fame that she had been seeking.

For many years after this event she sold mementos of her feat on the streets of Niagara Falls, claiming that she would never attempt another journey over the falls, preferring to walk into the mouth of a cannon. Unfortunately, while Annie Taylor may have found the fame that she desperately sought, she did not find the fortune. She passed away in 1921, poor and destitute.

Source: Wikipedia

But what about the cat?

More trivia...black and white!

1922 Barnum & Baily featured the world's fattest woman and the world's smallest man.




Sharing with Sepia Saturday this week!



Today's quote:

There is always something to do. There are hungry people to feed, naked people to clothe, sick people to comfort and make well. And while I don't expect you to save the world, I do think it's not asking too much for you to love those with whom you sleep, share the happiness of those whom you call friend, engage those among you who are visionary, and remove from your life those who offer you depression, despair, and disrespect. -Nikki Giovanni, poet and professor (b. 7 Jun 1943)




18 comments:

  1. Proof a-plenty that the human race can be charmingly bonkers.

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    1. There are certainly some extremes to which humans may go!

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  2. Replies
    1. Well, it only has the old photos, while you take new ones and turn them into B&W!!

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  3. Hello,
    Wonderful collection of photos. I like the roller skaters. The quote at the end is nice, share happiness.
    Take care, enjoy your weekend!

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    1. Have a great weekend Eileen. So glad to hear from you in comments...and I did look at your Sat. critters today!

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  4. Barbara, Love the old photos. We are lucky to have them to catch a glimpse of the past. I went to school in Niagara Falls for 4 years...and a couple of folks tried to go over the falls...but didn't survive. I also met people from Niagara Falls who had never gone down to see the falls...what! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

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    1. Oh my goodness...that's sad, and I'd heard about how many people died trying to go over the falls in a barrel. But to never even look at them when you lived there! Amazing!

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  5. I wonder what on earth put the idea into Annie's head to attempt that barrel ride... :o

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    1. Me too...though I'd guess her to be in her 30s by the photo, not 63! Amazing that she and cat survived. Cat probably went to live with someone else!

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  6. I remember the story of an idiot who decided to jet ski over the falls counting on a parachute to deploy.

    Obviously he didn't make it.

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    1. Oh how sad. I'm pretty sure Evil Knievel did some stunt at the falls...or maybe it was a tightrope walker. I don't remember.

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  7. A fun post. Your last image of the cycle saber swinging woman made me laugh. Considering how many people attempt crazy stunts in our time, Annie Taylor's barrel ride over Niagara Falls seems tame in comparison. And I had the same thought, What about the cat?

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    1. It's really something that someone with better sleuthing skills than I could perhaps look into... On the other hand, no music was involved! There sure were some women given to risky behaviors!

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  8. These are all amazing. I can't fathom wanting to go over Niagara Falls Bravo to the Queen of the Mists!

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    1. Yes, that little boat ride where everyone gets wet is enough for most people. What a strange attempt to gain notoriety by going over the falls in a barrel. Kind of suicidal actually!

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  9. I've never understood people who want to risk their lives for fame as the woman did who went over the falls in a barrel. And how sad in the end it really got her nothing! Love the pic' of the two ladies roller skating. :)

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    1. The roller skating gals do look as if they're having a good time. I just saw a clip about a place in Houston where roller skating has come back!

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There is today, more than ever, the need for a compassionate regenerative world civilization.