The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1848-10-13
A Man over the Falls.

Muh over tnc t1IIss
Neither fiction nor fact furnishes an
incident of more thrilling interest than
one which occurred last evening at the
Falls, and is detailed below by our cor
respondent. There is something terribly
appalling, almost sublime, in the strug-
giles for life of strong selfpossessed
man when drawn into the torrent that,
with the speed of race horse, sweeps
him on 10 certain destruction. A moment
scarcely elapses between entire safety
and most fearful death, yet in that mo-
ment what wealth OF life may be COM
pressed. How like lightning must pass
through the mind all the pleasant recol-
lections ofchildhood, all the firm resolves
of vigorous manhood, the hopes of the fu-
ture, the endearments of home and
friends, repentance for pas: errors, and
prayers for forgivness in that dread pres.
ence to which he is so awfully summoned.
-Bgta1O Adoertiser, Oct. 2.
NIAGARA FALLS, Oct. g. lS4S.
At about sun,down last evening man
was carried over the Falls. Who it 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 responsibility,
and after he got into the rapids. his self
possession was most extraordinary. His
boat was very good one-decked over
on the bow, and | should think would
carry three or four tons. From what
learn Of sailboat having been seen be-
low Black Rock, coming down, | think it
is from there or Buffalo. No other than
a person unacquaihted with the current
above the rapids would venture so near
them.
was on the head Of Goat island when
| first discovered the boat then near half
mile below the foot of Navy Island and
nearly two miles below 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. Being well
acquainted with the river, regarded the
position of the boat as extraordinary and
hazardous, and watched il with intense
anxiety. Soon discovered the motion
of an oar, and from the changing drec.
tion of the boat, concluded it had but one.
While constantly approaching nearer and
nearer the rapids, | could discover it was
gaining the American shore, aud by tho
time it got near the fist fall in the rapids
about half mile above Goat Island, it
was directly above the Island. There it
was turned uplhe river, and for some time
the wind kept i,nearly stationary. The
only hope seemed to be to come directly
10 Goat Island ,and whether should run a
half mile to give alarm, or remain to as
ssl, in the event the boat attempted 10
make the Island, it was a question Of
painful doubt. But soon the boat was
again turned towards the American shc re
Then it was certain it must go down the
American rapids. | ran for the bridge
saw and informed lady and gentle.
man leaving the Island, but they seemed
unable to reply or move. rallied man
at the toll gate-we ran to the main
bridge just in time to see the boat just
before it got into the first large fall IN the
rapids. Then saw hut one mull--hs
standing at the stern with his oar, chan
ging the course of the boat down the cur
rent, and as it plunged over, he sat down
| was astOnished to see the boat rise with
with the mast and sail standing, and the
man. again erect, directing the boat to
wards the shore. As he came to the nexI
and to each succeeding fall he sat dSwn
I, and then would rise and apply his oar ii
i the intermediate current.
Still there was hope that he woulc
!. come near enough to the, pier to jump
n but in moment it was gone. Another
i that he nigh, jump upon the rock under
the bridge, but the current dashed hin
. from it under the bridge, breaking the
. mast. Again he rose on the opposite
. side, Taking his oar and pointing his
p boat towards the main shore, lie cried
J. "had better jump from the boatl" W.
8 could not answer, for either seemed GER
/ tain destruction. Within few rods o
q the falls, the boat struck rock-turnec
s over, and lodged. He appeared to craw
from under it, and swan with the oar IL
}. his hand, till he went over the preciPice
= Without the power to render any as
@ sistance--for half an hour watching
e strong man struggling with nerve for life
II yet doomed, with all the certainty OF des
c. tiny, to an immediate and awful death
3. still hoping with every effort Of his deliV
3. erance-caused an intensity of excite
s. ment l pray God never again to exper
IS ence.
q. write too hurriedly for publication
but | have stated oil we have seen
know respecting the man or boat an
st from which hope you will be abe