Litchfield enquirer., 1839-08-08

|
this morning from my publisher! 20 It was
too true. fthe three hundred pounds, not
one single vestige remained. The /" devour-
ing element" had destroyed all.
+ So much for castle building
! From the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser.
| Perilous Adventure at the FaUs-An occur
renee of most thrilling interest took place at
Niagara Fails yesterday AFTERNOON, attend
ed with immediate peril to the lives of two
individuals, but resulting in a most happy
and providential deliverance.
The new bridge to Iris island is planted in
a frightful rapid where the current is from
20 to 80 miles an hour, and is only about 100
or $50 yards above the brow of the great
precipice or perpendicular fall. carpen-
ter by the name of Chaplin was engaged
with others in covering the bridge, and while
at work upon a staging about one hundred
feet from Iris Island, accidentally lost his
footing and was precipitated into the rapids,
and in the twinkling of an eye swept away
toward the great cataract. Speedy and in
evitable destruction seemed 10 await him /;
but fortunately he was uninjured by the fall,
and even in this most hopeless condition re-
tanned perfect self-possession. Turning his
eye toward the only point of hope above the
fearful precipice, he succeeded by great dex-
terity in swimming, in effecting landing
upon little island some twenty feet in width
and length, the outermost of the group of lit
tie cedar islands situated some thirty or forty
yards above the falls, and about equi-dstant
from Goat Island and the American shore.
There he stood for an hour looking calmly
and beseechingly back upon the numerous
spectators who lined the bridge and shores,
but with whom he could hold no CONVERSE
ton on account of the distance; and the roar
of the rapids.
| There is man in the village of the Falls
by the name of Robinson, of extraordinary
muscular power, great intrepidfty, and with
al an admirable boatman-and he was prob
ably the only one that could have been found
within fifty miles-who generously volun-
teered his services, to attempt reaching the
island in a boat and bring Chaplin off. A
light boat of two oars, similar in construc-
ton to the Whitehall race boats, was soon
procured and he embarked.
He proceeded with great deliberalion and
consummate skill ,darting his little boat across
the rapid channels, and at the intervening
eddies holding up to survey his situation and
recruit his strength for the next trial. In a
few minutes he nearetl the island, but rap
i'd channel still interviewed, sweeping close to
the island, and rendering the attempt 10 land
very difficult.
He paused for a moment, and then with all
his strength darted across and sprang from
his boat-his foot slipped. and he fell back
ward into the rapid current.
With the spectators it was q moment of
thrilling interest and breathless silence; his
boat seemed inevitably lost, and himself in
fearful jeopardy. Retaining, however, his
grasp on the boat he sprang in. and again
seizing his oars brought up under the lee of
the little island. All again felt momenta-
ry relief, but still the great labor and hazard
i of the enterprise remained to be overcome.
A cool head and strong arm only could eff
feet Hutchinson proved equal to the task
Taking his companion on board, in the same
careful and deliberate manner, though at in-
finitely greater hazard and labor, they effect
ed safe landing on Goat Island.
There the spectators assembled to give
them cordial greeting. A scene of great
excitement ensued-the boat was drawn up
the bank, and it was moved and carried by
reclamation that collection be taken up on
the spot for Chaplin and his noble-hearted de-
liverer, Robinson. 1t was generous one,
and was thankfully received; but the reflec-
ton to Robinson that he has rescued fellow
being under such circumstances will beto his
generous heart a much richer one. After the
collection, Robinson and Chaplin took their
| seats in the boat,ahd were carried in triumph
on the shoulders Of their neighbors to the
village.
The intense interest of the whole scene
was heightened by the presence of Chapin's
wife and children, who stood on the shore
watching with unavailing horror and agony
what seemed his inevitable and fearful fate.
With what devout and heartfelt gratitude
must they have thanked God, when the hus-
band and parent once more stood by their
side safe and sound. saM
Maryland Wheat Crop.-The new crop of
/ Wheat has been harvested in Maryland, with
the exception, perhaps, Of occasional farms
or fields in the districts north of Baltimore.
The accounts which have reached us from
various parts of the State all concur in the
report that the crop is abundant in quantity
and excellent in quality. In many places,
the growth has been so thick aud strong that
extraordinary labor has been requisite 10
cutting the grain, and in thin and poorer
lands, although the fields have not stood so
close. the quality Of the crop has been found
to be as fine as that produced in richer soils.
Here and there, it is true,S this description
does not apply, but nevertheless on the whole
the wheat crop is believed TO be larger than
any which has been realized by Maryland
| for some years past, and her citizens have
abundant cause for gatitude to an all-lmerci-
j full Providence that the labors of the field
have been so signaily blessed. Baltimore
| American Of Saturday,