Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-10-18
man over the Falls.

4 man over the Falls.
Neitherl fiction. nor fact furnish. an Incl
dent of more thrilling interest than one
.rphieh occurred last evening at the fails, ,aLd
is detailed below by our correspondent. =
There is something terribly appalling, al
most sublime, in the struggles for life of a
strong se:f-possessed man, when drawn into
the torrent that, with the speed of race
horse, sweeps him onward to certain de-
struction. A moment scarcely elapses be-
tween entire safety and most fearful death,
yet in that moment what wealth of life
may be compressed. How like lightning
must fash thro' the mind, all the pleasant
recollections of childhood, the firm resolves
Of vigorous manhood, the hopes of the fu-
fure, the endearments of home and friends,
repentance for past errors, and prayers for
forgiveness in that dread presence to which
he is 80 awfaily summoned!
Niagara Falls Oct. I'd, l848
At about sundown last evening man
was carried over the Falls. Who he was
is not known. From his management Of
the sailboat in which he came down the riv-
er, / think he was not we'll acquainted with
the current or the rapids. His dress ard
appearance indicated respectablity, and al
ter he got into the rapids his self possession
was most extraordinary. His beat was a
very good one .decked over Oh the bow,
ard l should think would carry three or four
tons. From what learn Of a sailboat be-
ing seen below Black Rock coming down,
l think it is from there or Buffalo. No 9TH
er tha \ person acquainted with the cur
reat above the rapids, would venture SO
nsar them.
was on the head of Goat Island when
first discovered the boat-tben half mile
below the foot Of Navy Island, and nearly
two miles above the Falls. There seemed
10 be two in the boat 1t was directed to-
wards the American shore-the wiEd blow
ilg from this shore, and still the sail was
standing. Being well acquainted with the
river, I regarded the position Of the boat as
extraordinary and hazardous, ard watched
it with intense anxiety. Soon discovered
the motion Ct an oar, and from the chang
ing direction Of the boat, concluded it had
but one. While constantly approaching
nearer and nearer the rapids, could discov-
er it was gaining the American shore, and
by the time it had got near the first fall In
the rapids, about half a mile above Goat Is
lond, it was directly abcre, the Island.
There it was turned up the river, aid for
some time the wind kept it nearly stationary.
The only hope seemed to lie TO come directly
to Goat Island, and whether ] should run
half mile to give alarm, or remain to as
sist, in the event the boat attempted to make
the Island, was question of painful doubt.
But soon the boat was again towards the
American shore. Then it was certain 1t
must 60 dow n tie American rapids. ! ran
for the bridge saw ard informed a gentle
man aud lady Just leaving the Island. but
they seemed unable to. reply or move. l
rallied man at the tollgafe- We ran to the
main bridge in time to see the boat just before
it had got to the first large fall in the rap
ids. Then saw but one man he standing
at the stern with his oar, changing the course
Of the boat down the current, and as 1t
plunged over, be sat down.
/ was astonished to see the boat rise with
the mast and sail standing, g,and tbeman,again
erect directing the boat towards shore. AS
he came to the next ard each succeeding
fall be sat down, and then would rise and
apply the oar in the intermediate current.
Still there washope that he would come
near enough to the pier to jump, but in a
moment it was gone. Another that he
might jump upon the rock near the bridge,
but the current dashed him from it under
the bridge, breaking the mast. AGAIN he
rose, on the opposite side. Taking his oar
and pointing his boat towards the main
shore, he ciied, chad l better jump from the
boatp We could not answer for either
seemed certain destruction. Within few
rods OF the falls, the boat struck on a rock
turned over and lodged. He appeared to
crawl from under it, and swan with the
oar in his hand till he went over the preci-
pice.
Without the power to render, any assist
ance for halt an hour watching strong
man struggling with every nerve for life,
vet doomed with almost the certainty of
destiny to an immediate and awful death,
still hoping with every effort for his deliver
anee- caused an intensity Of excitement l
pray God never again t, experience.
write too hurriedly for publication, but
have stated all we have seen or know res
pecting the man or boat, and from which l
hope you will be able to CLEAN so much for
publication as will lead to the discovery Of
the man.-Bnfalo Com. Advocats.
~The Fort Wayne Qndlann) Senti-
nal L., rre tbos avis Reecher of that citv