Charles Stephens

Barber, Deceased Person

1862 – 1920

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Who was Charles Stephens?

Charles Stephens or Demon Barber of Bedminster was an English barber and daredevil. Stephens was the first person to die attempting to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel. He is also the third person and second man to attempt this stunt. A barber living and working in Bristol, Stephens started performing stunts to support his family, which included his wife, Annie, and their 11 children.

Stephens went over the Falls in an oak barrel using an anvil for ballast; this proved to be fatal. Stephens ignored warnings from his advisers, fellow Niagara daredevils, Bobby Leach and William "Red" Hill, Sr., who suggested he test the barrel before going over the Falls. As a result, Stephens was dragged under the Falls after the anvil broke the bottom of the barrel. Stephens' severed arm is buried in the Drummond Hills Cemetery in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

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Born
1862
England
Also known as
  • Demon Barber of Bedminster
  • George Stephens
Nationality
  • United Kingdom
Profession
Lived in
  • Bristol
Died
Jul 11, 1920
Niagara Falls

Submitted
on July 23, 2013

Citation

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"Charles Stephens." Biographies.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.biographies.net/biography/charles-stephens/m/0swl68w>.

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