REMINISCENCE OF NIAGARA.

South Canterbury Times, Volume XV, Issue 2072, 12 November 1879, Page 3

REMINISCENCE OF NIAGARA.

I remember when I was but a boj r that a man got into the rapids here, having been carried down in a boat, which was broken to pieces. He had the good fortune to be dashed on a rock, to which he clung. It was fit the height of the season —August, if I recollect and he clung there for fully 36 hours. Everybody streamed out of the hotels and the village ; the banks of the river, particularly the west side, were thronged with people anxious to do something to save him. Dozens of plans were suggested; some attempted, but they all failed. Thousands of dollars were offered to anybody who pould rescue him. The desperate situation of the man had been telegraphed over the country, and every train brought crowds of passengers hither to witness it with their own eyes. He was encouraged by shouts from tbc banks, but whether he could understand anything said is doubtful. The world is said to be sympathetic. It is or appears to be unsympathetic, the object for which sympathy is asked is abstract. When it is tangible, visible, all is changed. Here was an exemplification. This poor wretch could be seen. He was an ordinary uneducated man; but be was a man,and the brotherhood and sisterhood of his race v ent out to him in pity, and intense eagerness to rescue him. Women of fashion, blase club men, selfish worldlings,grew pale as they watched the unhappy wretch, so vivid was their sympathy. Many persons sat up all night looking across the seething roaring waters at the small dark figure still clinging to the rock. The morning came, renewed efforts were made, but they all miscarried. The crowd had increased; it was immense. Everybody was excited. Tears were in women’s eyes ; the pallor gleamed through the rogue of some of their cheeks. Can t something be done? Must the poor fellow perish before our faces P Is there no way to rescue him? Such questions were incessantly asked; but, alas; no reply could be given. Ihe man had good courage and great strength He clung to the rock with the desperation of a dying soul. To lose his hold was tobe dashed over the cataract. Apparatus and contrivances arrived from Buffalo. New experiments and new failures. Hoarse shouts still rang across the iit.V-

rapids to hold on, to he of good heart. The stoutest heart that ever throbbed could not gnpe that rock for ever. 11 was wonderful how ho had endured, A fresh idea had come to the minds of half a dozen mechanics. They were labouring to throw out a hawser ; every muscle was strained ; every eye was bent upon their work. Suddenly the man slipped away. He was exhausted, he threw up his arms; he dashed toward the cataract. A low groau as from one breast quaked through the throng ; the thousands shivered with terror. A black object for a moment in the hell of waters, and then disappeared forever. There was an agony of relief. No one moved ; no one spoke for a while. All looked in the direction were the figure had been swallowed up. It was the enchantment of terror; it was the chill of tragedy distinctly wrought which froze every one for the moment to the spot. The old resident —he has lived here forty years —says that on an average about six persons arc carried over the falls every year, and that four out of the six arc wholly or partly intoxicated and lose their lives by carelessness or recklessness in rowing above the rapids, going beyond the line of danger. But for liquor not more than two lives, ho says, would be lost annually.—“ Niagara Falls Letter to St. Louis Globe-Democrat.