File:Cartoon about death of Auguste Blondin.jpg

English: In 1904, the Tacoma Times published a story stating that Auguste Blondin of Paris had attempted to commit suicide by jumping into the Canal Saint-Martin, but landed on a boat; Blondin next attempted to throw himself in front of an electric tram, but the driver was able to stop in time. At this point, Blondin gave up, and went home, but was knocked down by a cyclist on the Boulevard de Magenta, whereupon his skull was fractured. This cartoon depicts Blondin landing on his head on a boat in the canal (left), lying on the ground in front of a tram (center), and hitting his head on the cobblestones after being knocked over by a cyclist (right). I have no idea whether Blondin was actually killed by the third incident -- or, indeed, whether any of it actually happened.