Burns' blindfold antics mystified locals
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Burns'
blindfold antics mystified locals
Hailed as
the "blindfolded wizard," Burns appeared here Oct. 12, 1927, to
perform the unperformable.
After fielding
questions like "How do you do it?" Burns began a 12-hour drive through
the streets of Eau Claire while handcuffed to the steering wheel-and
blindfolded.
Hundreds looked on in amazement
as he gracefully maneuvered the Studebaker "Commander" along the route
that begun in front of the Golden Rule Oil Co. service station on River Street
and ended at the State Theater.
The blindfold,
made of black cloth wrapped eight layers thick, was inspected by onlookers
before the feat. Burns, admitting he could see through he blindfold, teased his
audience by refusing to say how.
A noted dirt
track racer and holder of two driving records, Burns' appearance in Eau Claire
was sponsored by the Eau Claire Motor co., 405 S. Farwell St., in cooperation
with other businesses.
"The blindfolded
wizard" had appeared many times at the Milwaukee State Fair and was known
for driving 192 consecutive hours without sleep or rest at Kansas City, Mo. His
other record was for driving 50 hours and 23 minutes while blindfolded at
Shreveport, La.
His appearance at Eau Claire
was promotional, and cooperating merchants and businessmen exploited it. In ad
after ad in the Eau Claire Leader, JB's testimonial was reason to buy anything.
The
Eau Claire Motor Co. ranted "Jimmy Burns chose a Studebaker "Commander."
He also used "Penno Motor Oil and
Fire-Drop, Anti-Knock gasoline" and rode on "Gillette Balloons."
For starting power "Jimmy Burns insists on Willard," recommending R &
G Battery and Electric Service, 206 E. River Street.
Uecke's
Diary, 520-26 Water St., proudly announced that JB "drinks and endorses
Uecke's pasteurized milk." And the Eau Claire Café declared that JB
ate there.
"Jimmy Burns says: It's been a
real pleasure to get acquainted with Chippewa All-wool garments in my visit to
northwest Wisconsin," proclaimed the Chippewa Garment Co.
One
merchant even tried to solve the mystery of the blindfold. "Is Jimmy
Burns' car controlled and driven by one of Gambles' Tigerdyne Radio?" asked
Gambles Auto Supply, 319 N. Barstow St., while H. J. Kohlhepp and Sons, 104 W.
Madison St., prided itself with locking JB "securely to the wheel of his
car with locks from our stock."
Extracted from the Eau
Claire Leader Telegram
Special Publication, Our Story 'The Chippewa
Valley and Beyond', published 1976
Used with permission.
