The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-08-12
TERMINATION.
From the Lynchburg yirgnian.
PERILOUS ADVENTURES!

Ascent Of the Natural Bridge, the second time.
1t will be recolected that, many years ago, the
Natural Bridge assembled by Col. James H.
Piper then student at Washington college, and
now member Of the State Senate. A graphic ac-
count of this hazardous exploit, from the pen of
DIR. Caruthers, has been long before the world
Nevertheless, many persons who have visited the
bridge, have regarded the story as fabulous, Deem
ing the achievement absolutely impossible. 1t will
be seen, however, by the following brief narrative
with which we have been kindly furnished from an
authentic source, that the ascent has been second
time successfully achieved. Certainly he must have
steady nerves and indomitabe seif-reliance who
puts life and limb in such imminent peril:
REMARKABLE FEAT.
On Saturday, the Goth of July, there being, be-
sides myself, several guests at the tavern of Mr..
Luster at the Natural Bridge we concluded TO walk
with which Thought made by human hands can
ve;" and, accordingly, several Of US repaired hh-
er, and, after being lost in enchantment for some
considerable time in gazing upon the far-famcd at
fractions, we returned to small house on the road
side, between the bridge and the tavern, where we
were favored with am old paper containing account
Of the ascension Of the bridge by Mr.. Piper, many
years ago. from the pen of DIR. Caruthers While
some of us, entirely Incredulous, were warmly dis
cussng its title 10 crediblty, were suddenly inter-
rupted by the cry 'Some one is climbing the brdge"
With the avidity Of men anxious to maintain their
opinion, until convinced of its falsity by ocular de-
monstration, we Immediately rushed, en- masse, to
the top of the bridge, still inwardly doubling the
possibility Of what the next moment met aston
ished sight--the ascension of the bridget When we
arrived there, we found two gentlemen the
bridge, who pointed us to Mr. Shaver, the hero Of
the occasion, standing at the distance of ITO feet
from the ground, on bench Gas it is termed) APP
parently too narrow to stand upon even without
motion. From the testimony Of the gentlemenpres-
emit, we learned that Mr.. Shaver, passing by there
a. nd cd tn he nalo
merely U suppose) to crafty his own curiosi-
ty or that Of others Without any preparation,
he Immediately commenced climbing directly UNI
der the well-known cedar stump, about ten or
fifteen PAGES higher up the stream than the place
from whence Mr. Piper is said to have started, and
withal much more difficult place to ascend, as
any one may ascertain by examination. After GO
ing perpendicular about 80 feet, he came to a cump
of bushes, where he rested little, and proceeded
10 another ledge protruding little from the main
body of rock; thence directly up the steep and rug
ged ridge lying between the deep ravines on each
side of the cedar stump, until he to the bench,
where [ first saw him While upon that bench,
which is about forty feet from the top Mr. Shaver
inscribed his name in very legble characters, which
may be seen by any from the top of the bridge.
lie then advanced up the stream, along the very
edge ofthe awful precipice that overhangs the ra-
vine, until lac came around the opposite side Of
the stump from where he started. He then came to
the last ascent ofany danger, and it truly aw-
full to man attempting TO climb an Overhanging
cliff at the distance Of 100 feet from the bottom Of
the dreadful abyss that yawned beneath him, while
in ascending his back was in some measure down
ward, and he had moreover frequently to remove
loose stones in order to hold for his hand
In making the first effort, either his strength
luton failed him, and he returned to the bench and
rested. My feelings at this moment were truly in
describable. To see fellow-being poised, it
were, between heaven and earth, with barely pos
sibity of ascent descent, clngng to the precar-
Gus shrubbery the side of lofty precipice, at the
base Of which expected every moment to see him
dashed to atoms, produced sensation cannot de-
scribe. Some of the more cautious and prudent of
the company proposed sending for ropes by which
TO draw him up; which was hardly possible under
the circumstances, perhaps none Of us had cour-
nge sufficient venture down the ravine far enough
10 sec him on the side where he then was. We
we're fearful even to speak to him. Nevertheless,
after divesting himself of his boots, and swinging
Them around his neck with handkerchief, he made
the second effort, in which he happily succeeded,
amid our happiest congratulations. He was very
,aIe and in perfect tremor when he arrived at the
Top, from which he had not entirely recovered before
, ] took my leave.
The gentlemen present were Messrs. Benjamin A.
Holmes, James Campbell, John G. Jefferson, Capt.
James A. Gibson, Captain Joel Lakeland, Claudius
Tompltins, John Luster, Albert III. Luser, and s.
IL Luster, and s. III. Carter--any one of whom will
corroborae the statement have made # applied to.
AN EYEWITNESS.