Monongalia mirror. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1855, 1853-08-06
AWFUL SCENE AT NIAGARA FALLS,

boat upset, and two Of them were at
once hurried over the avalanche OF
waters. The fate Of tho other, and
tho scene attending it, is given below;
Up to six o'clock last evening the
public were kept in state of excite
ment by dispatches received at inter-
walls from the Falls, bringing informa-
tion Of the situation ofpoor Avery,
each report lluctuating between hope
and fear-now expressing confidence
in his eventual safety, and now alwost
despairihg of his rescue.
A large number of persons left this
city for tho scene of excitement by
the trains, and swelled the thousands
already gathered round the spot. We
have been furnished with anaaccount
of the proceedings since one o'clock
yesterday, BY an eyewitness, but we
are under obligations to the operators
upon .Kissock's Canada line for the
earliest intelligence ofthe wretched
fate of the victim. ..
Our informant tells US that the man
was in the part Of the rapids where
the rocks rise nearly to the surface of
the water. A log ofwood, apparent
ly wedged tightly between tho rocks,
and crossed by another still higher out
of the water, was distressing place.
Hero he remained, half clingiug 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 un-
der the water.
A few feet in advance was small
fall of about four feet, and here and
each side of him, the waters rushed
wildly on at q speed Of about forty
miles an hour. Since our report of
yesterday was made up, about two and
a half o'clock in the afternoon, raft
was constructed formed of crossed
1imbers, strongly fastened in a square
form, hogshead being placed in the
centre.
Tho raft was strongly secured with
ropes on each side, and was hoated
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 i'm
moveablo. Avery then appeared to
muster strength and courage, and des-
cending from the log, walked overthe
rocks to the place where the rope had
caught, and labored hard to disengago
it from the rocks. After some time
he succeeded, and then with renewed
energy, inspired by the hope of res
cue, he pulled manfully at the rope
until he succeeded in bringing the raft
from the current towards his fearful
resting place.
Avery now got on the raft, making
himself fast thereto by means ofropes
which had been placed there for that
purpose, and those on the land COM
! mcncod drawing it to the shore. 1t
had approached 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
caught in the rocks.
Allendeavors to moveit were found
to be in vain, and much fear was en-.
tcrtained that the strain upon the
ropes might break them and occasion
the poor fellows loss. Various sug-
pestions were now volunteered, and
Several attempts were made to reach
him. One man went outin boat as
far as he dared to venture, and asked
him if he would fastcn q rope round
his body, and trust to being drawn in
by that.
his head despondingly, as though he
felt that he had not strength enough
remaining to make himself secure to
rope. At length boat was got rea.
dy-a life boat, which had arrived
from Buffalo-and was launched
Seeing the preparations, Avery un.
loosed his fastenings. with the inten-
ton of being ready to spring into the
boat. Borne on by the rushing wa
tiers, and amid the breathless suspense
of the spectators, the boat approach
ed the raft.
!, A thrill ran through the crowd-the
boat lived in the angry waves-it
struck the rata shout of joy rang
forth from tho shores, for it was tho't
that he was saved-when suddenly
the hope that had been raised was a.
gain Destroyed moments confu-
Sion 81 followed the collision, and in the
next the victim was seen in the midst
ofthe waters, separated from his frail
support and struggling for life.
For a minute or two, the poor fell
low, striking out boldly, swan strong
" towards tho island, and the cry ech.
ecl from shore to shore that he would