Weekly miners' express. (DuBuque, Iowa) 184?-1849, 1848-11-14
NO. IL /: |.
{ a. NAN OVER THE FALLS.

"A MAN OVER THE FALLS.
Neither fiction nor fact furnishes an
incident Of more thrilling interest than
one which occurred last night at the
Falls, and is detailed below by our cor
respondent. There is something terribly
appalling, almost sublime, in the stIug-
giles for.life ola strong, self possessed man,
when drawn into the torrent that, with
the speed Of race horse sweeps him on.
ward TO certain destruction. A moment
scarcely elapscs between entire safety
and most fearful death, yet into that
moment what wealth Of life may be
compressed. How like lightning must
flash through the mind. all the pleasant
recollections Of childhood, the firm re-
solves Of vigorous manhood, the hopes Of
the future, the endearments Of home and
friends, repentance for past errors, and
prayers for forgiveness in that dread
presence to which he is so awlully sum-
moned bluff. Ado. Oct. Cd.
NIAGARA FALLS, Ger. ed.
AT about sun down last evening, man
was carried over the Falls. Who he was
is not known. From his management Of
the sail boat in which he came down the
river, | thiak he was not we'll acquainted
with the current Of The rapids. His dress
and appearance indicated respectability,
and after he got into the rapids his self
possession was most extraordinary. His
boat was very good one-decked owe:
on the bow; and should think would car
ry three or four tons. From what ] learn
of sal! boat having been seen below
Black Rock, coming down, | think 1t is
from there or Buffalo. No other than u
person unacquainted with the current
above the rapids, would venture SO near
them. @% y.-.1s@Es3lis 30
| 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 above the Falls.
There seemed to be two in the boat: 1t
was directed towards the Anne rcan shore,
and still the sail was standing. Being
we'll acquainted with the river, | regard
ed The position Of the boat as extraordi-r
nary and hazardous, and watched it with
intense anxiety. Soon | discovered the
motion Of an oar, and from the changing
direction Of the boat concluded it had but
one. While constantly approaching dear
err and nearer the rapids. l could dis
cover it was gaining the Amer ican shore,
and by the time | had got near the first
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 time the wind kept it
nearly stationary. The only hope seem.
ed to be to come directly to Goat Island,
and whether should run half n mile to
give alarm or remain to assist, in tho
event the boat attempted to make the
Island, was question Of painfuI doubt.
But soon the boat was again turned to-
wards the American shore.-Then it was
certain it must 60 down the American
rapids. | ran for the bridge-saw and
informed gentleman and lady justfeav-
ing the Isabel, but they seemed unable to
reply or move. rallied a man at the
toll gate-we ran to the main bridge in
time to see the boat before it got to the
frs: large fall in the rapids. Then | 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 down. i was astonished to
see the boat rise with the mast and sail
standing, and the man again erect, direct
ing the boat towards the shore. As he
came TO the next and each succeeding fall
he sat down, and then would rise and ap-
ply his oar in the intermediate current.
l Still there was hope that he would
come near enough 10 the pier to jump.
but in moment 1t was gote. 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, OH the opposite
side. Taking his oar and pointing his
boat towards the main shore, he cried
chad | better jump from the boat?' We
could not answer, for either seemed cer-
tain destruction: Within a few rods Of
the falls, the boat struck rock turned
over and lodged. He appeared to crawl
from under it and swan with oar in his
a hand till he went over the precipice. 81
Without the power to render any assis-
tance--for haitian hour watching strong
man struggling with every nerve for life,
vet doomed with almost the certainty Of
destiny to an immediate and awfuldeath,
still hoping with every effort Of his deliv-
erance-caused an intensity ofexcitement
pray God never again to experience.
write too hurridly for publication; but
have stated all we have seen or know re.
speeding the man or boat, and from which
hope you will be able to CLEAN so much
for publication, as viii lead to the dis:
covery of the mar.
. Thoughts, ever occurring, amid the
din of business and stiffness, Of repose
are beautifully expressed in the following
ef1usion from the Auburn Daily Adxerti
ser:
4 Toll--toll-toll The grim king 81
terrors is again among us-the death bel
rings out, and its iron voice speaks out 81
its triumph. Some mortal's brief sojouru
in the "yale Of tears" is ended. Who i,
it-tkn hinh ~ tho h,,y,,l,lo . ~ - 10 b:fn