The fact that the barrel was irregular, padded only with pillows, and leaked badly underscored Ms. Taylor's bravery.
Those were different times. The words from the newspaper article seemed more genteel. That was before two world wars, the major thrust of American industrialism, and consumerism.
Although Taylor did not have access to materials and tools for an adequate barrel, she sure did make peregrinations around the country, mostly before the automobile and telephone. Also, her preference for bucks over brains illustrates how tenuous and hardscrabble everyday life was for most folks back then.
Nonetheless, the true nature of Annie Edison Taylor's persona must have been anomalous. Taylor was a proud, independent woman with more guts and ingenuity than the men. She also had a screw loose.
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There's a wonderful persona poem about her by Julia Paul in the anthology Forgotten Women put out by Grayson Books. The poem is called "The Lucky Pillow of Annie Edison Taylor."
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An American woman and a tough cookie, a very tough one. Tip my cap to all of them.
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Great piece! Thanks for sharing it. Another "dare devil" was also born in 1838--Victoria Woodhull, who came from carny folk, went on to run for president in 1872, and, with her sister Tennessee Claflin, ran a Wall Street investment firm. She also briefly published a newspaper, before losing a libel case brought by a prominent minister. Amazing women.
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Great piece! Thanks for sharing it. Another "dare devil" was also born in 1838--Victoria Woodhull, who came from carny folk, went on to run for president in 1872, and, with her sister Tennessee Claflin, ran a Wall Street investment firm. She also briefly published a newspaper, before losing a libel case brought by a prominent minister. Amazing women.
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As an avid theatergoer, I recall a musical named “Queen of the Mist” with the great Mary Testa playing Annie Edison Taylor. Although performed in a small Off Off Bdwy theater nearly 10 years ago, the show was captivating & still resounds in my memory. The tale of this brave & unusual woman was for me the small crack in that glass, that the stories of women had begun!
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They often ask what dead person would you like to have over for dinner and conversation. I would invite her.
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I'd love to see the movie of this woman's life. She'd rather be without brains than her money, is quite the strong bit of woman considering the time she lived in. Kudo's dear lady!
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When I was researching Annie for my novel ‘Til Niagara Falls, I brought the dimensions of the barrel to a cooper at Olde Sturbridge Village who was able to deduce how the barrel would have behaved in the water. Annie’s design trapped air near her head, keeping the barrel upright in the water and allowing her to fall feet first (the anvil allowed the barrel to be pulled through the water curtain, but also caused the barrel to leak). That she was able to solve what is essentially a physics problem, and have enough confidence in her creation to risk her life on it, adds to her accomplishment.
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I recall reading that the bandito that tried to rob her was Jesse James.
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Great story. Too bad our dear leader did not crawl into a barrel to enhance his brand rather than seeking the presidency.
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Although I think this series is sometimes interesting, I think the Times stretches it a bit. I don’t think some of these people would even warrant an obituary today, except in their local paper, of course.
Wow, this is amazing! What a woman!
To do this at age 62 took courage and desperation.... I'm 62 myself and I've seen the Falls and you couldn't pay me enough to do such a thing...
I love this series from the NY Times... I look forward to more....
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Annie had a strange confluence of a sense of adventure, a terrific imagination and a need for money. The way she saw it, fame would be the direction she took. Remember this was a time in which women were working for equality. She's a complicated woman and the sadness of her life is terrible. Full disclosure: I wrote a play about Annie: Queen of the Mist.
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Just do it!?!
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I'm puzzled. Why doesn't it say in the headline or subhead that she was the FIRST person to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel? The fact that she was the oldest, and the only woman, are secondary to being the first. In she was a man, you can rest assured that FIRST would be on top. In a weird way this story about her overlooked status negates her yet again. Also, a man probably wouldn't be referred to as an "amateur" daredevil. She wasn't an amateur: She was doing it as an entrepreneur to earn a living.
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@Carol I believe that doing a daredevil act one time and never again, makes someone an amateur daredevil indeed.
What's the harm in saying so? Is the word "amateur" somehow evidence of sexism?
I agree very heartily that the headline should have mentioned that she was the first person to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel. I think that her womanhood had to be mentioned because of the pro-woman nature of this obituary series. If a man had been first, his gender wouldn't seem like anything worth mentioning as a headline point.
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@Enemy of Crime...If you are the FIRST to do the daredevil feat, you are THE PRO in that daredevil feat, not an amateur.
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I knew of Annie Edson Taylor already and have a different photo of her posing with her barrel, but I am so glad now to learn her entire story.
Even if she died in poverty, she always had the satisfaction of the eternal glory of a unique and courageous achievement. That was worth more than money.
The kitten on top of the barrel in the photo that accompanies this article was a very cute and light-hearted touch, as well!
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I can't say I admire anyone who does this sort of thing, male or female, and I think it's rather irresponsible to celebrate it. It's the sort of dangerous and vulgar attention-seeking act that kills those who will unavoidably try to imitate it.
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She was a product of her era — the story mentions Harry Houdini, etc. These days we have roller coasters, sky diving, bungee jumping, and other adventures for thrill seekers. She didn’t have a lot of options! I’m guessing she’d be an astronaut now instead of “an underemployed charm school instructor”. Kind of interesting to think about!
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Thank goodness that the Social Security system exists today so women like this don't have to die in abject poverty. SS may not be much but it is something.
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This series is amazing! Please don't stop because I learn so much from reading about these amazing people.
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As an elementary school librarian, Annie Taylor made the cut into my Women’s History Month presentation for fifth graders every year. I loved finding interesting people to introduce to my students, and she certainly was one!
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One of my illustrious forebears... thanks!
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What a story - thank you.
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How about the several men who went over the falls in barrels (likely giving her the idea)? Weren't they overlooked?
Fair minded people (always rare) will look back on us, and giggle
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@Allen What's your source for men going over the Falls in barrels, before Annie did? In my Google search, I've only found men who went over the Falls in barrels AFTER Annie. IOW, men got the idea from Annie, not vv.
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Did you read the article? “But no one had ever gone over the more fearsome falls in a barrel.” Is it just that difficult for you to imagine a woman doing it first?
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@Allen the article says she was the first.
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This is such an amazing story! So many shocking facts! can't believe this happened more than 100 years ago! Makes me sad that they stole her barrel! I wonder how she managed to keep it in the first place, looks like it would be difficult to move around back to where she lived or store it.
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Whenever I’ve visited the Falls, I’m alternately mesmerized and terrified. This took GUTS.
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an underemployed charm school instructor and amateur daredevil. Love this - thank you.
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Thank you for this-for anyone interested, Jack Cummings (artistic director of The Transport Group) commissioned a musical from Michael John laChiusa all about Annie which became a show called Queen of the Mist. Current Tony nominee Mary Testa starred as Annie and it’s got a beautiful recording (if I may say so, as I’m in it as well). So happy whenever I see her acknowledged-I can’t imagine how she did it.
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@Julia we've literally just finished the UK premiere in London last week! So delighted to have been able to tell Anna's story and see so many people intrigued by her life, told so beautifully by Michael John. A remarkable woman and a feat that is unimaginable....!
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@Julia We're doing the Chicago premiere of this beautiful show in Chicago later this month starring Barbara Robertson. Wonderful to see this extraordinary woman getting some attention in the New York Times!
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Thank you NYT for this article. She was a brave, courageous and free thinker at that time. Once again thanks for reminding us that women are always given less importance even though they do multiple tasks such as doing hose hold work, supporting family income by going extra mile etc.
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I love it any time I learn about something historical I know nothing about. But what a woman! Excellent article. Thanks so much for sharing her legacy.
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@Anitakey
What a person!
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I love this story for so many reasons and on so many levels--thank you Times for publishing this.
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Cool!
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