While in Asheville she visited Charleston, S. C., and was there during the earthquake felt there. She then went to Bay City, Mich. She spent one summer at Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., teaching a system of piano music. A year later she returned to San Antonio, Texas, going from there to Mexico City, where she spent the month of December, then returned to San Antonio. Assisted by Rev. Walter Richardson, rector of St. Paul’s Church, and an eminent and cultured woman, a member of the church, Mrs. J. J. Stevens, she opened classes in physical culture, returning to Bay City the last of April, where she had been keeping house. She remained there until October 4, 1900, when she came to Niagara Falls. How She Came to Go Over Niagara The manner in which Mrs. Taylor got the inspiration to go over the Falls of Niagara, to perform a feat never before attempted by a human being, is best told by her in the following words: For two years I had been constantly studying, when not occupied in teaching, what I could do to make money--to make it honestly and quickly. All kinds of schemes ran riot through my brain. Reading in a New York paper about people going to the Pan-American Exposition, and from there to Niagara Falls, the idea came to me like a flash of light, “Go over Niagara Falls in a barrel. No one has ever accomplished this feat.” I did not think it wrong, as there was nothing immodest in the act, nor did it involve the life of anyone but myself. I believe in prayer, and that God will answer if only there is faith. As my motive was not a selfish one, but to succor two friends, one who has little children, the other in delicate health, and to aid myself financially, I believed I would live. I was determined to live, to vindicate to the world God’s mercy and goodness. Her Desire Was to Help Others I frankly avowed what my purpose was, viz.: To aid two friends, raise money to help me pay a few small debts, and to enable me to sell some Texas land. Just how this was to be done I did not know, but thought a crowd would gather and a collection could be taken up. My great mistake was in selecting a manager, F. M. Russell of Bay City, who was well recommended, but who proved in every way unworthy the trust reposed in him. She Designed Her Barrel The idea came to me in August. I immediately set to work to shape a barrel, which I did, cutting it out of paper and sewing it together with twine. The dimensions were: 12 in. head, 34 in. middle, 15 in. foot. The barrel was 4½ ft. high, weight 160 lbs. It was made of white Kentucky oak, with ten hoops, each riveted every four inches. The barrel was made by Bocenchia of West Bay City. Her Trip Over the Falls