Rensselaer Gazette, Volume 3, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 October 1859 — Walking on Water. [ARTICLE]

Walking on Water.

[From the Toronto Globe, Sept. 19.

The announcement, although made by a well known resident of Toronto, that he had invented an apparatus whereby he was enabled to walk upon the water, was received with some caution. Since then, in the presence of several members of the press, Mr. Hickok has given evidence of his ability to do all that he promised. On Saturday afternoon the party invited proceeded to the Don station, with some amount of doubt on their minds as to the result of their trial. None of them expected that Mr. Hickok would travel at a great speed, or that his new fangled invention would enable him to dance to the music of the waves, had there been any wherewith to dance to. But on arriving at the spot indicated, the best possible evidence was furnished that it would enable him to walk upon the water, for there he was in the middle of the Don, making his way against the current which at this place runs rather quickly. He soon neared the party, and when within speaking distance, turned round with the greatest possible ease. He had in his hand a small pole, scarcely large enough to afford him any assistance, so far as preserving his balance was concerned. That he could do without it was soon proved, for he threw it from him, receiving in lieu thereof, from a man who accompanied him in a boat, a walking stick of ordinary size. He commenced his return down the river, proceeded very steadily, and almost as quickly as a pedestrian upon dry land when walking at a moderate pace. Before going far he threw the stick from him, but shortly afterward resumed the pole. To the onlookers he appeared to do quite as well without it. When nearly out of sight he retraced his steps, and again came opposite tho party. In reply to a question asked, he said he was not at all fatigued. /After promenading for a few minutes more, having been on the water at least half an hour, ge got into the boat and was rowed to land. The aparatus used by- Mr. Hickok is the first he has made, so that, as in all new things, there is room for improvement- The fact is established that a man may with this invention walk upon the water, and there is nothing to indicate that the feat is attended with any peculiar difficulty. It appears quite as easy as walkins’ on snowshoes, the motion of which it somewhat resembles. The shoes are of tin, we understand, about four feet long, and can be easily packed into small space. We have no information as to the mechanism employed, and we presume that will remain a secret until it is patented; but if any one doubts that the feat can be done, he can satisfiy himself by witnessing the public exhibition of his powers, which Mr. Hickok intends giving on Tuesday next.