The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-11-10

Neither fiction nor fact furnishes an Incl
dent Of more thrilling interest than one
which occurred last evening at the Falls and
is detailed below by our correspondent.
NIAGARA FALLS, Oct 2, 1878.
At about shutdown last evening a man
was carried over the Falls. Who lie wasis
not known. From his management of the
sail boat in which he came down the river,
think he was not well acquainted with the
current Or the rapids. His dress and appear
ance indicated respectability, and after he
got into the rapids his self-possesson was
most extraordinary. His boat was a very
good one-decked over on the bow. and
should think would carry three or four tons.
was on the head of Goat Island when
first discovered the 6oat-then near half q
mile below the foot Of Navy Island, ami
nearly two miles above the Falls. There
seemed to be two in the boat. 1t was direc-
ted towards the American shore--the wind
blowing from this shore, and still the sail
standing. Being acquainted with the river,
regarded the position Of the boat as extra
ordinary and hazardous, and watched it
with intense anxiety, Soon | discovered
the motion of an oar, and from the chang
ing position of the boat, concluded it had
bat one. While constantly approaching
nearer and nearer the rapids, could dis
cover that it was gaining the American
shore, and by the time it had got near the
/ first fall in the rapids, about half mife :
bove Goat Island, il was directly above the
Island There it was turned up the river,
and for sometime the wind kept itnearly
stationary. The only hope seemed 10 be
tocome directly to Goat Island, and whe,h.
or should run half mile TO alarm, or re
main to assist in the event the boat attempt
ed to make the Island, was n question OF
| painful doubt aud Of extreme anxiety. But
soon the boat was turned towards the Amer.
lean shore. Then it was certain that i,
must 60 down tho American rapids. ran
with all speed for The bridge-saw and in.
formed gentleman and lady just leaving
the Island, but they seemed unable 10 reply
or move. called a man at the toll gate
we ran TO the main bridge in time TO see the
boat just before it had got TO the first large
fall III the rapids. Then saw but one man
he standing at the stern with his oar,
changing the course Of the boat down the
current, and aS ii plunged over, he sat down.
was aStouishe TO see the boat rise with
the mast and sail still standing, and the man
again erect, directing the boat towards shore.
AZ he came TO the next and each succeed
ing fall he sat down, and then would rise
and apply his oar in the intermediate course.
Still there was hope that he would come
near enough to the pier 10 jump, but in
moment 1t was gone. Another, that lie
might jump upon the rock near the bridge
but the currant dashed him from it under
the bridge, breaking the mast. Again he
rose Oh the opposite side. Taking his oar
and pointing his boat towards the main shore
he cried, "had better jump from the boat"
We could not answer. for either seemed
certain destruc ton. Within few rods of
the Falls, the boat struck a rock turned o.
vcrand lodged. lie appeared to crawlfrom
under il, and swan with the oar in his hand
till he wen, over the precipice.
Without the power to render assistance
| for half an hour watching a strong man
! struggling with every nerve for life, yet
doomed with almost the certainty Of destiny
/ 10 an immediate and awful death, still ho-
/ ping, with every effort for his deliverance-
caused an intensity Of excitement, | pray
God never again to experience.
The Catastrophe at the Fails. 1t has
been satisfactorily ascertained that the I'M
fortunate man who met with so sudden and
awful fate at the Falls, on Sunday after
noon, was Richard Leedom, ithis city. We
understand that he owned boat on the riv-
er, answering the description Of the one
which went over the Falls, which he fire.
quenily used in sailing and fishing. He has
not been seen or heard from since Saturday
on which day he borrowed rifle, and said
he was going down the river hunting, and
there is every reason to believe that it was
him who was seen to go over the Fails
lie was a shoe maker by trade, about thirty
five years of age, without family.
Tolun If Catirnrnio.