The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-07-22
bringing the ra from the current towards his fear.

bringing the raft from the current towards his fear
ful resting place. ,w
Avery now got on to the raft, making himself fast
thereto X means Of ropes which had been glacea
menced drawing It towards the shore. II had sp-
preached within thirty feet Of one Of the small
islands towards which its course was directed when
suddenly it became stationary in the midst Of the
rapids the ropes having again caught in the rocks.
An epdeayors to move 1t were found to be In vain,
and much fear was entertained that the strain upsn
the ropes might break them and occasion the poor
fellows loes. Various suggestions were now volun-
teered and several attempts were made TO reach him
One man went out in boat a. far - he dared to
venture and asked him If he would fasten rope
round his body and trust TO being dIaIn IN ~ mat
ingly as though he felt that he had not strength
enough remaining to make himself secure to rope.
At length boat was got ready-a hieboat which
ing the preparations, Avery unoosed his fastenngss
with the intention of being ready to spring into the
boat Borne on by the rushing waters, and amid
the breathless suspense OF the tne poas
approached the raft. thrill ran through the crowd
the boat lived in the angry waves-it struck the
rata shout of joy rang forth from the shore, for it
was believed that he was saved-when suddenly the
hope that had been raised was again dessroyedna
next the victim was seen in the midst Of the waters.
separated from his frai support, and struggling for
life. For minute or two the poor fellow striking
ont boldly, swan towards the island, and the cry
echoed from shore to shore that he would yet be
saved But soon the fact became certain that he re-
coded from the shore-his strength was evidently
falling Gradually he was borne o back into the the
more rapidly. Swiftly and more swiftly he ap-
preached the brink Of the fatal precpice the waters
had him at last their undisputed victim, and
madly they whrled him to death, though
enraged at his perseverng efforts to escapether fury
A sickening feeling came over the spectators.
when, just on the brink OF the precipce, tue
doomed man sprung up from the waters-clear from
At. c,c;,, off pviuht Gro
with his arms flung wildly aloft, and with piercing
shrek that rang loudly above the hooking roar Of
the cataract fell back again into the foaming waves,
and was hurled over the brow OF the fatal precice.
We have no heart for comment upon the melan-
choly and awful event. The fate OF poor Avery will
add another to the many fearful local incidents al
ready related by the guides at the Falls and for years
his critical situation his hard strug giles, his fearful
death viii be the theme of many narrowing tale.
And visiters to the mighty cataract will seek the
scene Of the terrible catastrophe with shuddering Gu
riosty, and the tmid and imaginative will fancy, in
the dusk Of the evening that they still hear above
the waters roar the fearful shrek that preceded the
fatal plunge.
rs. ON the Rochester Democrat. July 2l.l
We have never known the public mind in greater
state of excitement and painful suspense than on
Tuesday afternoon and evening, after receiving the
news Of the perious position Of man in the Ameri-
can rapids, between Goat Island bridge and the ca
taact. There was great anxiety on Wednesday
morning to hear what had transpired during the
night but the suspense soon over. The telegraph
before eight O'clock gave us the sad news that the
unfortunate man had gone over the Falls, sharing
the fate of his two companions who persisted on Mon
day night
The man went over little after five o'clock, in
broad daylight and in full view OF the thousands as
sembled on the banks. raft had been tloated to
him upon which he had dashed himself, but at the
approach of the life boat. sent down from Buffalo by
the last train lie undid the flashing as to be ready
to ea into the boat the latter unfortunately struck
the raft with such violence as to preciptate the un-
has, f1f hn of
He at once commenced swimming for small
island on the brink, but was unable to reach It.
When he perceived that all his efforts were fruitless
he raised his body erect in the water then waved his
arms wildly and with shrek disappeared over the
Falls. To have chung so long with desperate love
for lfe and then, just escape seemed certain, to
find the last char ce disappear, must have been in
We are indebted to conductor Burrows for some
additional particulars One Of the boats let down to
Avery reached him, but the rope was drawn so
tight between the log and rocks that he could not
release it. The raft next sent was some twenty-five
feet long. On the upper end OF this large hogs
head was dashed to buoy it up. Avery placed him
self upon it, and was drawn some ten or twelve rods
While upon this the poor fellow came near drowning
The raft. in moving against the rushing waters,
would plunge under and again arise. Finally it was
arrested by striking against a LEDGE One ofthe
large boats used at the ferry below the Falls was
procured and let down. AS it neared him the water
swung it against him with such force as to almost
disable him. but he still held on. Soon another and
heavier blow struck him, and he was thro sn from
the raft and in an instant was swept beyond all pos
sibe succor.
The awful scene created the most profound and
painful sensation among the assembled people. The
unfortunate Avery was young man, about twenty
years of age, and his distracted father was among
the spectators.
Seldom has it been our sad duty to record the de-
tails Of more narrowing scene. May these be the
asst victims drawn into those terrible waters
The boat which was made fast to the log and the
raft, are still swaying to and fro in the current.
None of the bodies have been found, and probably
never will be.