Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-09-14


These wires hang in perpendicular position, more
or less in length according to the height of the cable
to which they are attached. At the bottom they pass
around and through pine sticks, inches thick,
to inches wide, and about feet long. These
sticks are l2 feet apart the same as the wires at
tached to them. On these cross sticks are placed
thin plank lengthwise, thus making walk about
feet wide. on the level of a st-osht Las: I""'' ilV's
Dank to DanK. hnUCncr similar Walk, some feet dis
tan trosses which is dashed to tn is by ropes
The river is about AZ to so rods in width, and the
bridge 230 feet ON the water.
As we passed over on foot the walk would swing
around, to and fro, if we were suspended in mid
air in a basket. When we arrived at the middle of
the stream halted to take view of the Falls a.
bove, the whirlpool below and the rushing foam of the
mighty current, from to hundred feet underneath
on solid rocks. Altogether this is beautiful and
sublime sight, one on which the engraver's pencil
might be employed to advantage. Many, through
fear refuse to cross this ra looking gossamer bridge
Following down the bank, on the American side,
one mile below the bridge we came to the whirlpool,
and descending the long flight of steps leading down
the steep bank we were at the waters edge, and on
going down the stream little further we had a full
view of what is indeed no misnomer-a prodigious
WHIRLPOOL. This is caused by the swift current of
the stream striking projection of rock and bank
which throws the current to the opposite side where
encountering similar opposition, it divides into sepa-
rate currents and flows backward or sup stream" by
virtue of the velocity previously given, until the force
Of the descending current drives back again IN per-
petual eddes. Apparently there is no outlet to the
stream no place where it can be seen to flow off,
The whole river seems to end in deep basin where
the angry waters foam and chase each othor round
and round like an enraged demon.
The two Museums ON the Canada side, the magni-
fcent painting Of Bels1azzars feast in one of them,
the battle ground Of Lundy's Lane, the old and neip
Curiosity Shops" all of which we visited are objects
of ineres-but nothing compared with the great nat
ural wonder Of the world within sight of them.
The next morning the weather being fine, the heat
of summer moderated by cool breezes, we had pleas
ant ride the cars along the banks of the Niagara
by Navy Island the scene of the destruction of the ill
iaed Caroline, and numerous other islands, to Buffalo
a distance of 90 miles. Here we spent the forenoon
in traversng the broad streets of that noble and con-
stantly growing city, the largest in Western New
York; and then took passage in the steam boat
Pacific, o. Salisbury Capt for Cleveland This is an
elegant boat and one of the swftest on the Lake.
The steam was up" when we passed the Ohio"
who had or 8 miles the start, and it seemed very
much like rGce"-the Pacific having her brooms
playing the boat in token of superiority. The
wind being high and the Lake rough, we had long
or passage than we anticipated. During the night a
swell and rush of the sea forced a board from the
wheel-house, and in moment submerged the deck in
water.
We shall not attempt to describe Cleveland. 1t
well deserves its reputation as being of the finest
of cities enjoying the most beautiful lake scenery of
any of our Western ports. 1t is much larger and
presents altogether different aspect from what it did
when we visited it the last time, in 1886
We took stage at A. M, for Franklin, Portage
Co., and if any country is cursed with poor coaches
poor roads, miserable drivers, and an entire want Of
accommodation it is this very section of Ohio. The
lower rart Of the coachs constructed like an Indian
canoe, and like that carryall" you will find it very
difficult to keep your balance. The heat intense
and cloud of hot dust constantly rolled into ou
faces, almost suffocatng- it is true, ev
cry now and then, by jots and thumps, thu
stage dashed though holes, and over boys and rails
without shovel fill of dirt on Them l told that
these roads in the spring, the hubs roll ON the
ground while the spokes of the wheel underneath are
out of sight in the mud. Our horses travelled little
faster than oxcn that we arrived in Franklin IA dis
lance of 30 miles, little before sunset having beer
nearly all of one Of the longest days of summer OIL
the road-and more fatighins probably, than jaun
on treadnill This is on the great thorough fare
from Cleveland to Pittsburg, on which is sent on
from Cleveland every day. from four to six coaches
filled with passengers, from which is obtained, during
!, the season, an immense amount of money. Before
we arrived at franklin we ascertainod the cause o.
our delay on the road. 1t that the direct route
to Franklin from Cleveland is about 30 miles. But as
the stage can pick up some passengers by angling ant
crooking around through the country to different will
ages and leave the mail besldes las at Cuyahogf
Falls they make about 40 miles before reaching
Franklin Nor is this all. The cormorants make YOU
pay an extra 10 miles fare for the pleasure of boing
olted through the heat all extra 10 miles of travel
The fare on the direct route to Franklin we are told
would be 81 or $1,25, while the fare this is $l75
besides loss of nearly half days time This lint
is owned by heavy company, who we are told, owl
and control most of the stages and routes in Ohio.
The soil from Cleveland to Hudson, about20 miles
is strong clay producing large crops Of grass ant
oats and the inhabitants in this part of Ohio, tur
their attention to the dary-naking large quantitie
q of cheese and butter. On to Franklin and Ravenna
20 miles further, the soil changes to darksh colore
and yellowish fine sand suitable for wheat, corn, ant
fruit The canal passes through Franklin to Cleve
land, and she has large Touring and other mills, ant
one of the best water privileges in the State. Akron
J the County seat of Summit County, we found to be
much larger and more busting thriving village thai
h we expected fine sample of Ohio villages.
It On returning to Cleveland-a days journey by tn
same beautiful stage conveyance, we found boat il
readiness for Toledo. This boat the Troy" is il
every respect fine boat elegantly finished, with e1
celen state rooms instead of the usual berhs for cab
in passengers She is 1856 feet long, p feet deep