Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1853-08-04
Ths Casualty as Niagara Raiis--Ths Casas.
tFopAe-TAriiiIaw Nar,s,ve.

Up to six O'Clock last evening the
public were kept in a state of excite
ment by dispatches received at intervals
from the Falls, bringing information Of
the situation of poor Avery, each re-
port fiuctusting between hope and fear
now expressing confidence in his
eventual safety, and now almost des-
pairing of his rescue. A large number
of persons left this city for the scene Of
excitement by the trains, and swelled
the thousands already gathered around
the spot. We have been furnished
with an account Of the proceedings
since one o'clock yesterday by an eye
witness.
Our informant tells us that the man
was In part of 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
water, was his resting place. Here he
remained, half clinging to and half
perching upon the log, from which he
would occasionally slip down and walk
little on the rocks which were only a
short distance 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 yesterday was
made up, about 81 o'clock in the after
noon, a raft was constructed formed of
crossed timbers, strongly fastened in a
square form, hogshead being placed
in the centre. The raft was strongly
secured with ropes on each side, and
was foated down to the rocks upon
which Avery was stationed. As it ap-
preached the spot where he stood, the
rope got fast in the rocks, and the raft
become immovable. Avery then ap-
pesred to muster strength and courage,
and descended 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 current towards his
fearful resting place.
Avery now got on the raft, making
himself fast thereto by means Of ropes
which had been placed there for that
purpose, and those on the land COM
menced drawing it towards 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 again caught
in the rocks. All endeayors to move it
were found to be in vain, and much
fear was entertained that the strain
upon the ropes might break them and
occasion the poor fellows loss. Various
suggestions were now volunteered, and
several attempts 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 round his
body and trust to being drawn in by
that. The poor fellow, however, shook
his head despondingly, as though he
felt he had not strength enough remain
ing to make himself secure to rope.
AT length boat was got ready, life
boat, which had arrived from Buffalo,
and was launched. Seeing the prepara-
tions, Avery unloosed his fastenings,
with the intention of being ready to
Jump into the boat. Borne on by the
rushing waters, and amid the breath
less suspense of the spectators, the boat
approached 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 the shores, for it was believed that
he was saved-when suddenly the hope
that had been raised was again de-
stroyed-a moments confusion followed
the collision, and in the next the victim
was seen in the midst of the waters,
from his frail support and
struggling for life. For minute or
two the poor fellow, striking 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
failing. Gradually he was borne back
into the fercest part of the current
slowly at first, then more rapidly
Swiftly and more swiftly he approached
the brink of the fatal precipice-the
waters had him at last, their undisputed
victim, and madly they whirled him on
to death, as though enraged at his per-
severing efforts to escape their fury.
A sickening feeling came over the
spectators, when, Just on the brink of
the precipice, the doomed man sprung
up from the waters-clear from their
surface-raising himself upright as a
statue, with his arms flung wildly aloft,
and with a piercing shrek that rang
loudly above the mocking roar OF the
fell back again into the fosming
waves, and was hurled over the brow
Of the fatal precipice!
We have no heart for comment upon
he melancholy and awful event. The
ate of poor Avery will add another to
he many fearful local incidents already
elated by the guides at the Falls, and
Or years his critical situation, his hard
t,,,o--.Ioe 1;a coo.6,I Hath I'LL ba fba