Just over 100 years ago a Cornishman became world famous for the extraordinary, if slightly pointless, feat of being the first man to survive going over Niagara Falls in a barrel, but his death 15 years later was so bizarre it was famously included in the "stupid deaths" segment of CBBC's adaptation of Horrible Histories.
Bobby Leach, a former performer with the Barnum and Bailey Circus, was spurred on after Annie Taylor successfully went over Niagara's Horseshoe Falls in a barrel on October 24, 1901, as she reportedly said: "Nobody ought to ever do that again!"
Bobby, who came from Cornwall, owned a restaurant on Bridge Street in the city of Niagara Falls in Ontario, Canada, and would boast to customers that anything Annie could do, he could do better. Ten years after Annie's death-defying barrel ride, Bobby proved he was right.
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Already known as a daredevil fuelled by bravado (and pasties, perhaps), Bobby was well known for parachuting into the Niagara River after jumping off the Upper Steel Arch Bridge. However, what he really wanted to do was the barrel stunt and after many delays and much expense, he was ready on Tuesday, July 25, 1911.
Sherman Zavitz, the official historian for Niagara Falls city, has written extensively about what happened. He describes Bobby's vessel as a cylindrical steel barrel with wooden bumpers at each end, with the daredevil held in place by a tight harness which was later cut adrift at the mouth of Chippawa Creek.
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He said: "A widely publicised event, many people had gathered at Table Rock and along the upper bank of the gorge to see if the 54-year-old Leach would actually make the attempt, and, if he did, what the outcome would be. At about three o'clock a speeding car arrived at Table Rock from Chippawa, with the driver breathlessly announcing that Leach was on his way. In the meantime, the stunter was racing downriver. When his barrel was opposite the Toronto Power House it struck a large rock, tearing off the front bumper. The impact was so severe, Leach received, as it was later determined, a large gash on his forehead.
"Rushing on, the barrel then made a beeline for the Horseshoe Falls, slipping over the brink at just about the centre. It was 3.13pm."
A Daily Record reporter described the moment: "As the barrel approached the brink, the multitude of voices hushed, as if by magic, and the silence was intense as the fearful plunge was made. Not a sound was heard except for the roar of the cataract until 'there he is' was shouted by dozens of voices as the barrel reappeared in the seething, bubbling waters below, some little distance below the falls."
But was Bobby still bobbing?
It was some time before that question could be answered. Just after Leach's barrel swept past the Ontario Power Plant it was caught in an eddy and swirled around and around for about 20 minutes.
Sherman added: "Finally, Fred Bender, who worked for the Ontario Power Co handed one end of a rope to a group of his fellow employees while tying the other end around his waist. He then jumped into the water, fully clothed and swam out to the barrel. After grabbing it his cohorts pulled Bender and the barrel ashore."
Harry Williams, owner of the Lafayette Hotel, then hammered on the side of the barrel. From within his steel cocoon, Bobby hammered back. A Daily Record reporter wrote about what happened next: "Those around the barrel took off their hats and let forth a mighty cheer which was immediately answered by one of greater volume from the masses assembled above when they understood Bobby was alive."
When extracted from his casket, Bobby was found to have two broken kneecaps (though other reports state they were just badly bruised), and a broken jaw. In obvious pain, he requested some oxygen ... and then a cigar. It is said he spent six months in hospital recovering from his injuries.
Leach returned to Niagara Falls in 1920 and operated a pool hall. While in his sixties he attempted to swim the whirlpool rapids but failed after several attempts. During these aborted attempts, Bobby was rescued by William "Red" Hill Sr, who knew the Falls well and became well-known in the area for later rescues.
Following this daring accomplishment, Bobby continued to capitalise on his newfound fame by touring the world with his wife, showcasing his barrel and sharing his story through lectures and presentations.
There was a sad irony in 1926 when, despite surviving one of the world's most dangerous and foolhardy stunts, he died after slipping on some discarded orange peel. Bobby was in Auckland, New Zealand on a publicity tour when he slipped on the peel, fell and broke his leg.
Infection set in and the leg had to be amputated. Bobby Leach died two months later while in surgery and was buried in Auckland's Hillsboro Cemetery. His gravestone reads: "In loving memory of Bobby Leach, world famous by his trip over Niagara Falls in a barrel. Died 28th April, 1926 aged 69 years. R.I.P." It was his strange death which resurrected Bobby's name decades later in the second series of Horrible Histories.
In 2011, the BBC reported that on the centenary of Bobby's feat, Karen Barnett from Tywardreath, had been carrying out research, alongside her father, into the life of the stunt man. They wanted to hear from anyone with information about the early days Bobby spent in Cornwall.
She said: "He was born in Cornwall in 1858. We can't really find out anything about whereabouts Cornwall he was born. A hundreds years on from the event, it would be brilliant to do something to mark this wonderful man." Once she discovered Bobby's birthplace, Karen hoped that a commemorative plaque could be placed there.
Does anyone know if Karen was successful? We'd love to find out.
