Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-08-03
The Catastrophe at Niagara Falls.

counts OF Cne late accluenL at Niagara rails,
by which three lives were lost Avery,
the young man who clung with desperation
to an upright log from 81 o'clock on Mon
day night until 6 o'clock on Tuesday eve
ming, was only 20 years Of age, and, to add
to the painful interest of the frightful scene,
his distracted father was one OF the throng
of spectators which lined the shores during
all day on Tuesday. During the day hun
dreds left Buffalo by the railroad trains,
but on their arrival at the Falls, were una
BILE to render the unfortunate man any as
sistance, and were compelled to look on with |
painful suspense until their worst fears were
realized, and the fierce element Whirled its |
poor victim beneath It's boiling current
The Buffalo Commercial has the following
additional particulars:
Our informant tells US that Avery was
in part of the rapids where the rocks rise
nearly to the surface of the water. A log
of wood, apparently wedged tightly between
the rocks, and crossed by another, still
higher out Of the water, was his resting
place. Here he remained, half clinging to
and half perching upon the log, from which
he would occasionally slip down and walk
little on the rocks, which were only
short distance under the water.
A few feet in advance was small fall
of about four or five feet, and here and on
each side Of him the waters rushed wildly
on at speed of about forty miles an hour.
About % o'clock in the afternoon, a raft
was constructed formed of crossed timbers,
strong ly fastened in a square form, hogs
head being placed in the centre.
The raft was strongly secured with ropes
on each side, and was floated down to the
rocks upon which Avery was stationed.-
AS it approached the spot where he stood,
the rope got fast in the rocks, and the raft
became immovable. Avery then appeared
ITO muster strength and courage, and descend
ing from the log, walked over the rocks to
the place where the rope had caught and
labored long and hard to disengage it from
the rocks. After some time he succeeded,
and then with renewed energy, inspired by
the hope of rescue, he pulled manfully at
the rope until he succeeded in bringing the
raft from the current towards his fearful
resting g-place.
Avery now got on to the raft, making
himself fast thereto by means ofropes which
had been placed there for that purpose, anC
those on the land commenced drawing it to
wards the shore. Ithad approached within
thirty feet of one of the small islands, to
wards which its course was directed, whel
suddenly it became stationary in the mids
Of the rapids, the ropes having again caugh
in the rocks.
All endeavors to move it were found
be in vain, and much fear was entertaine
( that the strain upon the ropes might brea
, Various suggestions were now volunteered
and several attempts were made to reac
! him. One man went out IN boat as t;
as he dared to venture, and asked him
he would fasten rope round his body an
. trust to being drawn in by that.
y The poor fellow, however, shook his hes
"a despondingly, as though he felt that he hs
. not strength enough remaining to NAL
u himself secure to rope. At length DO
70 was got ready-a life boat, which hs
: arrived from Bufalo-and was launched
y Seeing the preparations, Avery unIoosed h
le fastenings, with the intention Of being rea
u to spring into the boat. Borne on by t
d rushing waters, and amid the breathe
" suspense Of the spectators, the boat 3
preached the raft. A thrill ran throue
- the crowd-the boat lived in the an2
re waves-it struck the rata shout of ]
a rang forth from the shores, for it was belle
iu ed that he was saved-when suddenly
~ hope that had been raised was again destrt
- ed-a moments confusion followed t
collision, and in the next the victim
KS seen in the midst of the waters, separa
eS' eS' from his frail support and struggling
lie life.
l.. For minute or two the poor fellow st
- ing out boldly, swan strongly towards
island, and the cry echoed from shore
/. shore that he would yet be saved.
~ soon the fact became certain that he rece
''' from the shore-his strength was eyidel
failing. Gradually he was borne back
out the tiercest part of the current-slowly
ney first then more rapidly.
'n- Swiftly and more swiftly he approac
'nS the brink of the fatal precipice-the wa
had him at last their undisputed vic
and madly they whirled him on to dealt
ent though enraged at his persevering effort
ach escape their fury.
A sickening feeling came over the spt
tors when, just on the brink of the preci
les the doomed man sprung up from the W;
nov clear from their surface raising hir
lren upright as a statue, with his arms f
rted wildly aloft, and with piercing shrek
had rang loudly above the mocking roar Of
tiled cataract, fell back again into the foaI
day. waves, and was hurried over the brow c
A of fatal precipice.
aped The boat which was made fast to the
now and the raft, are still swaying to and fl
gold the current. None Of the bodies have
and found, and probably never vii! be,