Khaberni - At the age of 63, and yet she embarked on an extremely dangerous adventure on October 24, 1901. She sat inside a huge sealed barrel, rolled from the top of Niagara Falls, and plummeted down with the flowing water.
Her name was Annie Edson Taylor and she was a school teacher who had outgrown her youth. What drove her to risk her life?
A recent report described her as "the bravest woman in the world". The truth is, she embarked on this adventure not to prove that. She simply was in desperate need of money.
Annie Taylor was born in 1838 into a wealthy family in Auburn, New York, and she was accustomed to living in luxury and comfort.
She married at the age of 18, attended university, and became a teacher. She lived a comfortable life until 1865 when she became widowed by her husband's death in one of the American Civil War battles.
The widow then had to give up her home as she could not afford its expenses. She traveled across the United States, continued her work in teaching, and also opened a few private enterprises such as a dance school.
The woman first heard of Niagara Falls in 1898 when she settled in Bay City, Michigan. At that time, some adventurers were stretching tightropes above the falls and navigating its flowing waters from one side to the other.
Spectators would willingly pay fees for this type of nerve-wracking entertainment. It wasn't uncommon for the ropes to break and the adventurers to fall in the waterfall.
Anna Taylor was experiencing financial difficulties, and she thought of an idea she believed was perfect to attract the attention of visitors to Niagara Falls and generate income. She was smart, had a strong will, and a constant optimism. She decided to be the first to jump from the top of Niagara Falls inside a barrel.
She approached this dangerous project in a scientific manner. She conducted the necessary calculations and measurements and commissioned the creation of a barrel from her own design. The barrel weighed 72 kilograms, was one and a half meters high, and 90 centimeters wide.
The barrel was made from oak wood planks secured with iron rings. Mattresses and pillows were placed inside the barrel, and it was wrapped with several leather straps to secure the occupant.
The adventuress also ordered the maker to install a heavy 900-kilogram anvil at the bottom of the barrel to keep it constantly upright in the water.
Anna Taylor was cautious and keen on her safety. Before risking her life, she risked her cat's life. She conducted an experiment with the barrel. She placed the cat inside, after closing it, the barrel was thrown into the water. The water pushed the barrel and it fell in the waterfall. After a few minutes, the barrel was recovered and opened. The cat was alive and had only suffered from panic.
The experiment caused a stir among the attendees and residents of the city. The press wrote about it, and this was what this ambitious woman was waiting for. In response, the authorities noticed the danger and banned such performances.
The dangerous adventure was postponed for some time until things calmed down. Anna Taylor did everything she could and managed to convince everyone that the jump with the barrel was safe.
At four o'clock in the afternoon of October 24, 1901, a large crowd of spectators gathered. Several boats headed to the top of Niagara Falls. Taylor climbed into the barrel and strapped herself with the leather belts. The barrel was closed and thrown into the water.
The spectators watched the barrel as it floated and slowly swam towards the cliff. At some point, the water flowed forcefully and waves foamed around the barrel. The motion accelerated and at a moment, the barrel plunged from the cliff into the water.
There were moments of dreadful silence as everyone waited. Suddenly, cheers erupted and hands pointed to the barrel being tossed about by the river's current.
The barrel was pulled to shore, and after removing the cover, Annie Taylor emerged to the people. She was unharmed except for a few bruises on her head.
From that moment, Taylor was called "Queen of the Mist". She was certain that her adventure would bring her fame and fortune, but that did not happen.
The barrel and all her plans were stolen. She could not officially prove the event of the adventure even though it was witnessed by hundreds.
Her adventure did not receive the expected attention, and this neglect increased as many others later went through the same experience and jumped from the dangerous waterfall, making her first jump no longer noteworthy.
"Queen of the Mist" hired private investigators to find the thieves who stole the barrel and the plans. They worked for years but never came to a conclusion.
She risked her life and her cat's life, and her hopes for wealth and fame were dashed. Annie Taylor died, heartbroken in 1921.
She was buried in a special section of a New York cemetery dedicated to those who die due to dangerous acts and failed adventures. Thus, the tragedy was doubled. Her attempts to gain glory, fame, and wealth were lost not just while she was alive but also in death.
