The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-08-03
The Niagara Tragedy.

! The Buffalo Courier. Of the 9lst inst,
gives us the following thrilling description
Of the late fatal plunge;
"Our informant tells us that the man
was in a partof 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 rest
ing place. Here he remained, half perch
ing upon the log, from which he would
occasionally slip down and walk little
on the rocks, which were only a short dis
tance under 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. Since our report oi
yesterday was made up, about q O'Clock
in the afternoon, raft was constructed,
formed of cross timbers, strongly fastened
in square form. hogshead being placed
in the center. The raft was strongly Sc
cured with ropes on each side, and was
floated down to the rocks upon which
Avery was stationed. As it approached
the spot where hesstood, the rope got fas-
tened in the rocks, and the raft became
immovable. Avery then appeared to mus
ter 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 il from
the rocks. After sometime 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 fear.
ful resting place.
Avery now got on to the raft, making
himself fast thereto by means of ropes
which had been placed there for that pur.
pose, and those on the land commenced
drawing it toward the shore. Ii had ap
preached within thirty feet of one Of the
small islands toward which its course was
directed, when suddenly it became sta
tionary in the midst Of the rapids. the
ropes having again caught in the rocks
All endeavors to move it were found to be
in vain, and much fear was entertained
that the strain upon the ropes might breal
them and occasion the poor fellows loss
Various suggestions were now volunteer
ed, and several attempts were made t.
reach him. One man went out in boa
as far as he dared to venture, and asked
him if he would fasten rope around hi
body and trust TO being drawn in by that
The poor fellow, however, shook his heat
despondingly, as though he felt that h,
had not strength enough remaining Il
make himself secure to arope. AT lengtl
a boat was got ready-a life.boat, whicl
had arrived from Buffalo-and was launch
ed. Seeing the preparations, Avery un
loosed his fastenings, with the intention Q
being ready to spring into the boat Born
on by the rushing waters, and amid tn
|breathless suspense of the spectators, th
boat approached the raft. A thrill raj
! through the crowd-the boat lived in tn
angry waves-it struck the rata shou
4 of joy rang forth from the shores, for it wa
believed that he was saved-when sudden
Ily the hope that had been raised was agail
ldestroyed-a moments confusion followe
the collision, and in the next the victi1
was seen in the midst OF the waters, sepa
rated from his frail support and strugglin
j for life. 's.s' 81