Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1839-08-08
PERlLOus ADVENTURE AT TIE FALLS
Oh NIAGARA.
BurrALo, July 90.

An occurrence of most thrilling Interest took
place at Niagara Falls seseidsy afternoon. attended
with immense retil to the lives of two individuals,
hut resulting IN most happy aud provl1eniial dcliv-
crancc.
The bridge 10 his Island is planted in a ngh.
ful rapid where the is 20 30 miles hour
and is only about loo or loo yards above The brow
ofthe great pfecipiee o. perpendicular. \ carpen.
ter BY The name of Chaplin was engaged with others
IN covering the bridge, aud while NJ work upon
staging about one hundred feet from Iris Island ac-
cdeniay lost his footing aud was prccpuaicd INTO
the rapids, anil 10 the lwiuklng OF swept away
towards the great eatataci. Speedy and inevitable
destruction seemed 10 await lin hut lofIuupsly hc
Was uninjured w the fa. and even la this most
hopeless condition retained perfcot self posse pn.
Turning his eye toward The only point al hope a
hove The fearful precpec, he succeeded, :, sren,
dextefily in swimming. IN eheetiue landifc upnn
little island sumo twenty feet in width and lrueth.
The outer group of Lutte Cedar islands, Situated
some thifl, 81 oI, ,afds above The flis and abnuI
squidisiant from Goal island and the American
shore.
There he stood for nm hour, looking calmly and
besccchingly back upon the numerous spectators
who lined the bridge and shores, but with whom he
could hold 40 conversation account Of the DIS
lance, and the roat al the rapids.
There Is man IA lie village ii the Falls by the
name OF Robinson, ni extraordinary muscular power
great intrepidny and "hhal an admirable hoaman--
and he was piobsbly the only one that could have
been iopnd within IF Y uilts-@ho generously vol.
unieeie1 hts services 10 attempt reaching the island
IN a boat aud bing Chapin of. Alght boat OF oars,
was soon rtocrred, and lie embarked.
lie proceeded with crcai declaration aud con.
snmmae skill. darling h, ale boat acros. he taIid
channels. aud Al the intervening cdlics holding up
10 survey Us situation aud ftcruH his strength Tor
the ntxl trial. Ina few MINUTES he ucafed the il.
land, but tapd channel still INTERVIEWED, sweeping
close 10 The island, rendering the attempt To hand
IL IL
with all his srength, darled across and spfang ftom
ms hnat-his mot slipped. aud he fell ckward into
the rapid current With the speeiaorsn was a mo.
menI IT thrilling interest and brcathess silence his
boat scemcd inevitably losl, aud bimscli in fearful
jeopardy. Ketauips. however his grasp on the boat,
he sprung IN and again SEWING his oars brought up
under the lee el the III lie ISLAND. Al agmn clt mo-
menas relief but still the great labor aud bazlrd
TIE enterprise renamed IN be overcome A cool
heal ani strong arm cuu only Ell CT l-Rnbn-
son proved equal 10 tie task. Tgk1ng his compaH-
ION on board in the same careful aud deliberate
manner, though AT Infinitely greater hazard aud Ia
Dor. they ELECTED safe laajing on Goat island.
There The spectators assembled to give them u
CORDIAL greeting scene Of great excitement en-
sued. The boat was drawn up the bauk, and WIS
moved ard carried by aeclamalion that collection
be taken up on tie spoil for Chaplin and ms noble
hearted deh,e,et, Robinson. II was generous one,
and was thankfully received but the reflection 10
Robinson that he has rescued fellow. being uodcr
such circumstances will be 10 his generous heati
much urher one. After the colleriiun, Robinson
and Chapin took their seats IN the boat. and were
carried iG triumph the shoulders of iheir ueig-
hbors TO the village.
The intense interest Of The whole sc,ne was
heightened by The presence OF Chapin's wife aud
chili en-. who STOOD the shore watching with I'M
asa'iiag horror aud agony what seemed his inevta-
Die and fearful fate. With what dcrout and heart
iet gratitude must they have thanked God when
the husband and parent stood BY then
side safe aud sound Comm. iRrrriisrg