Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-07-28
Casualties at Niagara.

The New York Express, in connection with
the recent fearful tragedy at Niagara, gives the
following interesting account of previous CASUAL
ties which have happened at the Falls:
In lS46, August 81, Charles Smart, Of Phila-
dephla, fell from rock In the Cave Of the
Winds, which is under the American Falls, and
of course, was instantly killed. Between the
Bddle staircase and the entrance to the cave, DIR.
Hungerford, of West Troy, was killed. in May,
1889, by fall of portion of the rough rock
upon him. A boy named Murphy, in June, 1887,
attempted to cross the river in a canoe, and was
drawn into the current, and went over the Amer
lean Fall. little boy by the name Of White,
only FIVE years old, and his sister, year or two
his senior, were playing in canoe near that part
of Goat Island, where the bridge crosses the rap
ids, from the village of Niagara. The canoe
foated out into the stream. The mother of the
children beheld the scene, rushed into the river,
and rescued the girl, but the boy carried over
the fall the point where Able took the fright
ful plunge. The little fellow was last seen sitting
in the bottom of the canoe, holding on with his
hands to each side, as if to keep the frail craft
steady 1t was borne on its perilous way
This was in July, IS48 Neither Murphy's nor
Whites bodies were ever found.
1t was very near this fatal spot that the foolish
farce of Mrs. Miller, of Detroit, was played off
few years ago. 1t occasoned much specula-
ton at the time, and It's results were said to be
serious: the father Of the person alluded to,
/ very respectable man, having died of broken
heart in consequence of it. Mrs. Miller, actuated
it was thought, by jealousy, or some freak of the
kind, cut her shawl 10 pieces, tied them together
and hung them over the bridge leading to Goat
Island, intending, doubtless, TO produce the in
preston that she had committed suicide by letting
herself down into the rapids, and going over The
American Fall. After 0ccaslouing much pain
aid trouble 10 her family, and friends she turned
up,' we believe, at Syracuse.
De VeauXa who wrote an interesting work on
Niagara, relates that the Indians have tradition
that two human beings yearly, will ever be sacr.
feed to the Great Spirit of these waters 1t is
striking fact, that almost every year has proved
fatal 10 some visitor of the Falls of Niagara An
obligng guide, Mr. Johnson, to whom we lately
had occasion TO recur, with grateful recollections
Of his politeness TO us while there tells us, in his
useful little manual, that sail the wildness of
these scenes, can be view ed without running the
least rlsk' and no doubt, if visitors could always
sufficiently command themselves, and not allow
their fancy, their imagination, to get the mastery
over their minds while gazing on the bewildering
wonders of Niagara, this remark is true. Our
author tells us of instances he has seen of a dis
position on the part Of strangers to try the fearful
leap over the brink of the Falls.
on "Tabe Rock, on the very verge of the plec-
pice, while the wind was blowing very strong from
the Canada shore, behind her. She appeared Mr.
johnson told us, amazed, bewildered. rapt, as il
were, by the seemingly supernatural wdness Of the
scene. Our guide approached her, and laying his
hand upon her arm, demonstrated with her on her
rashness in thus exposing herself sOh!'' exclaim.
ed she, with smile, 81 feel that could spring from
this rock, and sail away as lightly and gently as
balloon! And 1t was not without the greatest per-
suasion that she could be induced leave the spot
thai had for her so powerful fascination On he
ing reproved afterwards by her mother she declared
that she did not leel the least lear but actually felt
as il she could fly.
case that in its commencement was not dssimi.
lar 10 that OF Tuesday, but which terminated more
iol tunaiey, was that OF man by the name of fallen
who, eight years ago, attempiine 10 cross The
Niagara liver in skh from Chippewa, some dis
tance above Goat Island, accidentally broke an oar,
and i0und himself at the mercy of the current He
managed however, 10 reach the outer island of the
group called the Three Sister which lies inst of
Goat island, aud jumped ashore, while his skiff was
dashed down The rapids, and over the Horseshoe
Fall Though saved from The more imminent dan
ger, the mans situation was still perous, for the
hope oil rescue extremely doubtful, and he began
TO think he should die Of starvation.
Two ni2hts and day, he remained in that preca-
rious situation. He struck fire. and the smoke
from il wreathing the tree tops indicated to the
villagers the peril he in. The alarm was CIV
en-; rope was thrown across from one island to the
other, and so to the third, and AIN intrepid fellow
by the name Of Robinson put off in skif holding
on TO the rope, aud succeeded n bringing Allen safe
through the rapids to the main shore. This same
Robinson also rescued Chaplin, one of the workmen
on he bridge from which Abe's fate was witnessed
on Tuesday, who, being thrown accidentally into the
stream, was carried upon this very island, to reach
which by swimming, Able is said TO have made a
desperate effort on being thrown off the raft sent to
his rescue.
IL was just here, too, that young lady of Bu6a-
10, Miss DeForest, slipped from the hands of a
friend, who was holding her, in foolish bravado,
over the edge Of the shore Of "Luna Island, :" and
with young Beddngton, who plunged in to save her,
was borne over The American Fall The bodies Of
both were recovered after some days This acct.
dent, as we understand the imperfect accounts we
have as yet Of the latest catastrophe must have &C.
cnrred at or near the eastern point of the American
Fall; whereas Able probably persisted at point
farther west of the cataract.
We may mention that the two famous leaps of
Sam Patch were made, in 1929, not far from this
place. He jumped from the brink of the American
shore, ninety-seven feet, sheer down into the Naga-
IA River, between the Horseshoe and the American
Falls.