Roll Out the Barrel: The Story of Niagara's Daredevils

Jean Johnston was a freelance writer in Mitchell, Ontario.

The oversized format for Roll out the Barrel seems suitable for the subject, which is a collection of newspaper articles and pictures of daredevil stunts at Niagara Falls from 1859 to 1984. We have all heard of the Great Blondin, but few have heard of 23-year-old Maria Spelterini, who proved in July 1876 that a woman could walk rope as well as Blondin, Farini, or Bellini. She was also a beauty. It was also a woman, Annie Edson Taylor, who was the first to challenge the Falls in a barrel. She did it successfully in 1901. As she stepped out of the barrel, her comment was, “Nobody should ever do that again.” She was helped out of the barrel by Red Hill.

Included are episodes of various stunts, especially by those who tried to navigate the whirlpool rapids. Two chapters are devoted to the adventures of Red Hill (Sr. and Jr.). One chapter tells the story of a boy, Roger Woodward, who in July 1960, with his sister Deanne and a family friend, lost control of their boat above the Falls. Deanne was dramatically rescued before the boat went over; young Roger miraculously survived the plunge and was picked up by the Maid of the Mist. Their friend, James Honeycutt, drowned. The book, full of easily read accounts of daredevil stunts, would make an excellent gift.