Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1848-10-20
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4 NAN OVER THE FALLSI

Neither fiction fact furnish an incident OF
more thrilling interest than one which occurred
last evening at the Falls and is detailed below by
our correspondent. There is something terribly
appalling almost sublime, in the struggles for lie
OF strong, self-possessed man, when drawn into
the torrent that with the speed OF a race horse
sweeps him onward to certain destruction a
moment scarcely elapses between entire safety
and most fearful death, vet in that moment what
u wealth of life may be compressed How like
lightning must flash through the mind, all the
pleasant recolectlons Of childhood. the finn re-
solves of vigorous manhood, the hopes of the fil-
tufe; the endearments OF home and friends repent
aneo for past errors, and prayers for forgis eness
IN that dread presence TO which he is so awfullv
summoned!
NIAGARA FALLS, Oct 2d, 1915
AT about shutdown last evening man was car
red over the Falls Who he was is 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 appearance indicated rcspcctability and
after e got INTO the rapids hs SELF possession was
most extraordinary. His boat was a very good
one-deceed over on the bow, and | should THINKS
would carry three or four tons. From what s
learn OF a sail boat having been seen below Black
Rock, coming down, | think ii is from there orr
Buffalo. No other than person unacquanteds
with the current above the rapids, would venture:
so near them. !
| was on the head of Goat Island ;shen first
discovered the boat-then near half a mile below
the foot OF Navy Island, and nearly two miles
above the Falls. There seemed to be two In the
boat. 1t was directed towards the American
shore-the v md blowing from this shore and still
the SAIL was standing. Being well acquainted
with the river regarded the position of the boat
"a extraordinary and hazardous, and watched II
with intense anxiety Soon | discovered the mo-
ton OF an oar, and from the changing direction of
hot HI III l..
stanty approaching nearer and nearer the rapid
l could discover it was gaining the American
shore, and by the time it had got near the first
tau in the rapids, about half mile above Goat
Island, it directly above the Island There
II was turned up the river; and Tor some time the
wind kept II nearly stationary The only hope
seemed to be to come directly to Goat Island and
whether should half a mile to give alarm
remain to assist, in the event the boat attempt
ed 10 make the Island, question of painful
doubt. But soon the boat was again turned towards
the American shore. Then il was certain it must
go down the American rapids. | ran for the
brlagc-Saw and informed a gentleman and lady
just leaving the Island, but they seemed unable to
reply or move. | rallied at the toll-gatC-
we ran To the main bridge in time to see the boat
Just before II got to the first large fall IN the rap
Ids--1hen saw but one mamie standing at the
stern with his oar, changing the course of the boat
down the current, and as IT plunged over he sat
doNH was aSIonlSned 10 see the boat rise with
the mast and sail standing, and the man again,
erect, directing the boat towards the shore. AS
he came to the next and each succeeding fall he
sat down. and then would rise and apply his oar
III the intermediate current.
Still there was hope that he would come near
enough 20 the pier TO jump, but in moment 1t
was gone Another, that he might lump 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 cried, had better jump from the boat?' We
could not answer for either seemed certain des-
uucuon. Within few rods of the Falls the boat
struck rock-turned over and lodged. He APP
peared to crawl from under it, and SWAN with the
oar IN his hand till he went over the precipice
Without the power to render any assistance
Tor hall an hour watching strong man struggling
with every nerve for lite, yet doomed with almost
the certainty of destiny 10 immediate and aw-
full death, still hoping with every effort TOR his de
lverance-caused intensity OF excitement /
pray God never again 10 experience.
write too hurriedly for publication, but have
stated all we have know respecting the
man or boat, and from which l hope you Will be
able to CLEAN much for publication as Viii lead
10 the discovery OF the me-.-Bpfato Com .4dr.
Oct ,