Harry H. Gardiner, the man with the fingers of steel, whose nerves are equally as strong and who is better known as the “human fly,” gave Goldsboro people the thrill of their lives last evening shortly after 7:30 o’clock when, without the aid of rope or any sort of contrivance, he scaled the front walls of the Hotel Goldsboro to the tip-top and ended his performance by standing on his head on the coping around the edge of the building.
Gardiner came to Goldsboro primarily to advertise NuGrape, that well known and popular grape beverage which is making such a hit here. Last evening he took advantage of the occasion to say a good word for the disabled veterans receiving treatment at Oteen, and to take up a collection for them. Quite a neat sum was realized as a result.
The climb was a perilous one and one which gave Gardiner plenty of opportunity to thrill his audience, estimated at 5,000 people, all of which he did.
The thousands who stood with bated breath while the “fly” went from story to story I his ascent. Then they stopped breathing entirely while he stood on his head on top of the structure.
“The Human Fly” intended to descend the same way he went up, but failure of those in charge of the performance to secure a spotlight to play upon him caused him to decide not to do this. However, his performance was sufficient to thrill and entertain all those who had gone out to see his stunt.
From the front page of The Goldsboro News, Friday morning, June 11, 1926
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn93064755/1926-06-11/ed-1/seq-1/
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