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
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Proof a-plenty that the human race can be charmingly bonkers.
ReplyDeleteThere are certainly some extremes to which humans may go!
DeleteHappy Sepia Saturday.
ReplyDeleteWell, it only has the old photos, while you take new ones and turn them into B&W!!
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteWonderful collection of photos. I like the roller skaters. The quote at the end is nice, share happiness.
Take care, enjoy your weekend!
Have a great weekend Eileen. So glad to hear from you in comments...and I did look at your Sat. critters today!
DeleteBarbara, 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
ReplyDeleteOh 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!
DeleteI wonder what on earth put the idea into Annie's head to attempt that barrel ride... :o
ReplyDeleteMe 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!
DeleteI remember the story of an idiot who decided to jet ski over the falls counting on a parachute to deploy.
ReplyDeleteObviously he didn't make it.
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.
DeleteA 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?
ReplyDeleteIt'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!
DeleteThese are all amazing. I can't fathom wanting to go over Niagara Falls Bravo to the Queen of the Mists!
ReplyDeleteYes, 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!
DeleteI'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. :)
ReplyDeleteThe 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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