Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-07-25
The CArAsrRopHr AT NIAeARAFAIIs

The appalling catastrophe at Niagara Falls, by
which two men we're swept over the Falls, and a
third died thousand deaths during the thirty or
forty hours that he chung to log ofwood, on the
brink of the precipice, before being swept into the
fearful abyss, has, as well it might, produced a
deep effect upon the community. What the
thoughts of the doomed man were, as he faced
an memorable fate, cannot be known. The Buff
ialo Commercial Advertiser gives the following
particulars of the last sad scene:
cup to SIX O'Clock last evening, the public
were kept in state of excitement by dispatches
received at intervals from the Falls, bringing in
formation of the situation If poor Avery, each re-
port fluctualing between hope and fear-now ex-
pressing confidence in his eventual safety, and
Low almost despairing of his rescue. A large
number of persons left this city for the scene of
excitement by the trains, and swelled the thou
sands already gathered around the spot We
have been furnished with an account Of the pro
ceedngs since one O'Clock yesterday, by AN eye
| witness.
Our informant tells US that the man was in a
part of the rapids where the rock rises nearly to
the surface of the water. A log of wood, appar-
emily wedged tightly between the rocks, aud
crossed by another still higher out of the water,
was his resting place. Here he remained, half
clnging to and afperching upon the log from
which he would occasionally slip down and walk
little on the rocks, which were only short
distance under water. 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
Since our report yesterday was made up, about
IL In the afternoon, a raft was constructed,
formed of crossed timbers. strongly fastened in
square form, hogshead being placed in the
centre.
The raft was strongly secured with ropes on
each side, and loated down TO the rocks upon
which Avery was situated. As 1t approached
the spot where he stood, the rope got fast in The
rocks and the raft became immovable. Avery
then appeared to muster strength and courage,
and descending 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 currentto-
wards his fearful resting place.
Avery now got on TO the raft, making himself
fast thereto by means of ropes which had been
placed there for that purpose, aud those on land
commenced drawing it towards The shore. II had
approached within thirty feet of one of the small
islands, towards which its course was directed,
when suddenly il became stationary IN the midst
of the rapids, the ropes having again caught in
the rocks. All endeavors to remove ii were found
10 be IN vain, aud much fear was entertained that
the strains upon the ropes might break them aud
occasion the poor fellows loss Various sug-
gestlons were now volunteered, and several at
tempts were made to reach him. One man went
out in boat as far as he dared to venture, and
asked him if he would fasten rope around his
body, and trust TO being drawn in by that. The
| poor fellow, however, shook his head despond-
lngly, as though he felt that he had not strength
enough remaining TO make himself secure to
rope.
At length boat was got ready-a life-boat,
which had arrived from Buifalo-and was launch
ed. Seeingthe preparations, Avery Embossed his
iasenings, with the intention of being ready to
spring into the boat. Borne on by the rushing
waters, and amid the breathess suspense Of the
spectators, the boat approached the raft. A thrill
ran through the crowd-the boat lived in the an
cry waves-lt struck the rata shout of Joy rang
forth from the Shores for it was believed that he
was saved-when suddenly the hope that had
been raised was again destrOyed-a moments
confusion followed the collision, and in the next the
victim was seen in the midst of the waters sep
arated from his irai support and struggling for
he For minute or two the poor fellow, srik-
ing out boldly, swan strongly 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 receded from the shore-hIs
strength was evidently falling.
| Gradually he was borne back into the 6ercest
| part of the current-slowy at first and then more
rapidly. Swiftly and more swiftly lie approached
the brink of the fatal precipice-Ihe waters had
him at last, their undisputed victim, and mady
they whirled him on to death, as though enraged
at his persevering efforts to escape their fury =
J A sickenlng feeling came over the spectators
when, just at the brink of the precipce, the DOOM
ed man sprung mp from the waters-clear from
their suriace-rasing himself upright as statue,
with his arms flung wildly aofi and with pierre
ing shrek, that ruug loudly above the mocking
roar ofthe cataract,fel back again into the foam
ing waves, and was hurled over the brow Of The
fatal precipice.
We have no heart to comment upon the mel
anchoy and awful event The fate of poor
Avery will add another to the many fearful local
incidents already related by the guides at the
Falls, and for years his critical situation his hard
struggles, and his fearful death. will be the theme
of many narrowing tale. And visitors to the
mighty cataract will seek the scene of the terri
BILE catastrophe, with shuddering curiosity, and
the tlInid and imaginative will fancy, in the dusk
OF the evening" that they still hear above the wa
ter's roar, the fearful shrek that preceded the
fatal plunge.