Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-10-12
From The Buffalo Com. Adrr.
A MAN OVER THE FALLS.

| Nelther hctiOn nor TACT furnish an lncldenl
of more thrilling interest than one which oc-
Cured last evening at the Falls, and is de-
tailed below by our correspondent. There IS
something terribly appalling, almost sublime,
in the struggles for life Of a strong, sell-pos-
sessed man, when drawn into the torrent that,
with the speed of race-horse sweeps him on
ward to certain destruction. A moment scarce
ly elapses between entire safety and n'ost
fearful death, yet in that moment what a
wealth of life may be compressed. How like
lightning must fash through the mind, all the
pleasant recollections Of childhood, the firm
resolves of vigorous manhood, the hopes Of the
future, the endearments of home and friends,
repentance for past errors, and prayers for for
giveness in that dread presence TO which he Is
SO awfully summoned
NIAGARA FALLS, Oct. I'd, lSiS.
At about sun-down last evening man ws'
carried over the Falls. From his management
Of the sa-boat in which he came down the
river, j think he was not well acquainted will
the current or the rapids. His dress and appear
ance Indicated respectablity, and after he got
into the rapids his sei-possesson was most ex-
traordnary. His boat was very good one
dccEed over on the bow, and should think
would carry three or -four tons.
| | was on the head of Goat Island when
first discovered the boat-then near half a
mile below the foot Of Navy Island and near
ly two miles above the Falls. There seemed
to be two in the boat. 1t was directed towards
the American shore-the wind blowing from
this shore, and still the sail was standing. Be
ing well acquainted with the river, | regarded
the position of the boat as extraordinary and
hazardous, and watched it with intense anxiety.
Soon | discovered the motion Of an oar, and
from the changing direction of the boat, con
cludGd it had but one While constantly APP
preaching nearer and nearer the rapids, could
discover it was gaining the American shore,
and by the time it had got near the first fall
in the rapids, about half mile above Goat
Island, il was directly above the Island.
There it was turned up the river, and for
some time the wind kept it nearly stationary.
The only hope seemed to be to come directly
TO Goat Island and whether | should run
half mile to give alarm, or remain to assist,
in the event the boat attempted to make the
Island, was question Of painful doubt. But
soon the boat was again turned towards the
American shore. Then it was certain he
must 90 down the American rapids. ! ran for
the bridge-saw and informed gentleman
and lady just leaving the Island, but they
seemed unable TO reply or move. rallied a
man at the toll gate--ve ran to the main
bridge in time TO see the boa, just before it had
got to the first large fall in 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 rs II plunged over he sat
down.
! | was astonished to see the boat rise with
the mast aud sail standing, and the man again
erect, directing the boat towards the Shore
/ As he came TO the next and to each succ edlng
fall he sat Down and then would rise and ap-
ply his oar in the intermediate current
/ Still there was hope that he would come
near enough the picf to jump, but in mo-
mcnt il 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 arose on the
opposite side. Taking his oar md pointing
his boat towards the main Shore he cried,
chad ! better jump from the boat !" We
could not answer, for either seemed certain de-
struction. Within few rods of the Falls, the
boat struck rock-turned over and lodged
He appeared to crawl from under il, and swan
with the oar in his hand till he went over the
precipice.
Without The power TO render any assistance
for half an hour watching a strong man
struggling with every nerve for life, yet doom
cd with almost the certainty of destiny TO an
immediate aud awful death, still hoping with
every effort for his dellyerance-causeda an in
tensty of excitement pray God never again
to experience.
=. ;. 1t has been ascertaincd that the
person was Richard Lcedon Of Buffalo.