Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1853-1853, 1853-07-30
FROM the buffalo Commercial Advertiser.
THE cATAsTROPHE At THE NIAGARA FALLS.

IhE VhIAkEhOPAs AT The NIAGARA FALLS,
Up to q o'clock last evening the public wer,
kept in state OF excitement by dispatches re-
celvOd ut intervals from the Falls, bringing in
formation Of poor Avery, each report fuotua
ting between hopo and fear now expressing
confidence in his eventual safety, AMI nov
almost despairing Of his rescue. A large nun
Der Of persons left this city fer tho scene o
excitement by the trains, and Swelled tho thous
ands already gathered around the spot.
We have been furnished with an account oil
the proceedings since one o'clock yesterday, b,
an eye witness.
Our informant tells us that tho man was In
part of the rapids where tho rocks rise ncarl,
10 tho surface Of tho water, A log Of wood
apparently wedged tightly between the rocks
and crossed by another, still higher out Of III,
water, was his resting place, Here no remained
half clngng to and half pcrching upon the log
from which he would occasionally slip dowr
and walk II little on tho rocks, which was enl,
n short distance under water, A few feet il
advance was small fall OF about four or hy,
feet, and here on each side OF him the water,
rushed wildly on at II speed Of about 10 mile,
an hour. Since our report yesterday was made
up, about . ID o'clock in the afternoon, rail-
was constructed formed OF crossed tmbcrs
strongly fastened in a square form, a hogsheat
being placed in the centre. The raft was strongly
secared with ropes on each side, and was noated
down TO the rocks upon which Avery was sus.
tanned. As It approached tho spot where he
stood, the rope got fast in the rocks, and the
raft became immovNbe. Avery thsh appeared
10 muster strength and courage, and descending
from the log, walked over tho rocks to the place
where tho rope had caught and labored long Rnj
hard to diSongage it from tho rocks, ACter
some time he succeeded, and then with renewed
energy, inspired by the hope Of rescue, h,
pulled monrully at the rope until he succeeded
in bringing the raft from the current toward,
mis- fearful resting place. ...
Avery now got on tho raft, making himscl
fast therctoby means OF ropes which had beer
placed there for that purpose, and those on Ii,
land commenced drawing it towards tho shore
II had approached within thirty feet Of one %
the small islands, towards which its course wa,
directed, when suddenly it became stationary i,
the midst OF the rapids, tho ropes having agaiJ
caught in tho rocks, All endCavors 10 move i
were found TO be in vain, and much fear was On
tortained that the strain upon tho ropes nigh
break them, and occasion tho poor fellows loss
Various suggestions were now volunteered, an,
several attempts were made to reach HIM. On,
man went out in boat as far as he dared t,
venture, and asked him il ho would faSten a rop,
around his body and trust to being drawn in b,
that, The poor fellow, however, shook hi
head despondinglN as though he felt that he Ia,
not strength enough remaining to mako himscl
secure 10 n rope, At length n boat was go
roOdy---a lire.boat, which had arrived from
BuiE,lo--and was launched. Seeing the prepa
rOtions, Avery Embossed his EOstenings, with ih
intention of being ready to spring into the boat
Borno on by the rushing waters, and amid tn
breOthless suspense of the spectators, the boa
approached the raft. A thrill ran through III
crowd; the boat lived in the angry waVCIi j
struck the raft; a shout Of Joy rang forth iron
the shores, for il was believed that he wa
saved when suddenly the bope that had beef
raised was again destroyed. A moments con
fusion followed the collision, and in the next tn
victim was seen in the midst Of tho waters
separated from his frail support and struggling
for life. For minute or two the poor fellow
striking out boldly, swan strongly towards III
island, and the cry echoed from shore to shOr
that he would yet be saved, But soon the fac
become certain that he rSccdsd from the shore