The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1848-10-18

recommendation may be good enough. but we
suggest that we first exhaust what information
may he found nearer home.-N. Y. Express.
From the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, Cd inst
A MAN OVER THE FALLS.
Neither fiction nor fact furnish an incident OF
more thrilling interest than one which occurred
last evening a. the Falls. and is detailed below
by our correspondent. There is something ter-
ribly appalling, almost sublime, in the struggles
for life of a strong. self possessed man, when
drawn into the torrent that with the speed OF a
race horse, sweeps him onward to certain de-
strucion. A moment scarcely elapses between
entire safety, and most fearful death, yet in
that moment what wealth of lite may be COM
passed. HoS like lightning must flash through
the mind, all the pleasant recollection OF child
hood, the firm resolves Of vigorous manhood,
the hopes of the future, the endcarments OF
home and friends. repentance for past errors,
and prayers for forgiveness. in that dread pre-.
sence TO which he is so awlully summoned !
"NIAGARA FALLS, Oct. 2, lS49.
"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 river, [ think he
was not we'll acquainted with the current or the
rapids. His dress and appearance indicated
respectabitv, and after he got into the rapids,
his elfpossession was most extraordinary. His
boat was very good one-deckcd over on the
bow, and should think would carry three or
four TONS From what learn Of sail-boat
having been seen below Black Rock, coming
down, think it is from there or Buffalo. No
other than person unacquain,cd with the cur.
rent above the rapids would venture so near
them.
was on the head of Goat Island when first
discovered the boat-hen near half a mile be.
low 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 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 it
with intense anxiety. Soon discovered the mo-
ton of an oar, and from the changing direction
of the boat. concluded it had but one. While
constantly approaching nearer and nearer the
rapids, | could discover it was gaining the Ame.
rcan shore, and by the time it had got near the
fall in the rapids, about half a mile above Goat
Island, it 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 he TO come directly to Goat Island,
and whether should run hall 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 turned
TO the American shore. Then it was certain it
must 90 down the American rapids. ran for
the bridge-saw and informed a gentleman and
lady just leaving the Island. but they seemed
unable 10 reply or move. | rallied man at
the toll gate-we ran TO the main bridge in
time to see the boat before it had got TO the first
large fall in the rapids. Then | saw but one
man-hc standing al the stern with his oar,
changing the course of the boat down the cur.
rent, and as It plunged over, the man sat down.
was surprised to see the boat rise with the
mast and sails standing, and the man, again
erect, directing the boa. towards shore. As he
came to the next and each succeeding fall he
sa, down, and then would rise and apply his oar
in the intermediate current.
Still here was hope he would come near
enough TO the pier TO jump, hut in moment
he was gonr. 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 cried, "had / better jump
from the boat" We could not answer, tor
either seemed certain destruction. Within a
few rods of the falls the boat struck on a rock
turned over and lodged. He appeared 10 crawl
from under it, and swan with the oar in his
hand till he went over the prccipice.
Without the power to render any assistance
for half an hour watching d strong man srug.
Cling with every nerve for life, yet doomed with
almost the certainty of destiny to an inmed date
and awful death, still hoping with every effort
for his sdcliverance-causcd an intensity of ex-
ctemen pray God never again to experience.