The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1852-1855, 1853-07-28


Two Mrs OVER THE FAtLs!-Periious Sit
uation Of a 1hird!-The most intense ex-
eitement was created at Niagara this morn
ing BY the startling intelligence that a man
was in the midst OF the rapids within few
feet OF the Falls, cllnging for life TO frail
stump against which in his perilous descent
OF the rapids he had been thrown. As soon
as the terrible news became known hum
dreds persons hurried TO the spot and the
report was found to be to- true. Upon en-
qury 1t was ascertained that the poor fellow
was one Of three men belonging to scow
used for taking sand down the river who had
got in to small boat attached to the scow
about o'clock last evening, and having by
some means become separated therefrom,
were hurried down the rapids. The boat was
ofcourse speedily swamped, and the men
cast into the water; two Of them being at
once carried over the Falls to their dreadful
fate, and the other, by chance striking and
clinging to a stump about midway between
the Falls and Goat Island bridge.
At daylight this morning this poor fellow
was discovered in his perilous situation, and
1t was speedily found that his rescue was
almost impossible, since no boat that could
be procured would float a moment in the
rapids without being swamped and over
turned. A dispatch was Immediately sent
to this city for life boat, and one was sent
by express over the railroad without delay
In the mean time, box containing refresh
ments was attempted to be Aoated to the
poor fellow, who had clung with desperation
to his frail support, in the midst Of the diz-
zying, whirlihg rapids, and within hearing OF
the roar o. the cataract over which at any
moment he might be hurled, for upDards Of
tlDenty- four hours! What was the result of
the attempt we are not informed.
During the morning we have received sew
eral telegraphic dispatches at intervals from
the Falls, detailing the above particulars, for
which we are indebted to Mr.. Whiting, of
Kissock's Canada Junction Line. The ex-
citement is described as painful intense and
the banks of the river the Island and the
bridge are covered with an anxious multi
tude, awaiting the result Of the terrible af-
fair. 1t must be fearful sight thus to
watch fellow being in a situation of such
mortal peril, without the power OF extending
assistance to him. If he can continue in his
hazardous position until the life boat each
es the Falls--if his strength, already fear
fully taxed does not give wayne may yet
be rescued. But we fear that the raging
waters willyet claim him as their victim
The name of one OF the men lost is Thomas
Hunnaman. The one in the rapids is named
Joseph Avery.
Since writing the above we have received
the following additional intelligence:
Niagara Falls, p. M.--The man Joseph
Avery is still in the rapids few rods above
the brink OF the A merican Falls. The third
boat has been lost and they are now getting
ready the fourth TO make another trial.
Buffalo Com.
Still Lqier.-The Buffalo Express of the
goth says:-
A dispatch from the Falls states that the
man went over about o'clock, A raft had
been aoated to him upon which he had lashed
himself, but at the approach of the life-boat
sent down from this city, by the last train, he
undid the lashings, SO as to be ready to leap
into the boat. The latter, however, unfor-
tunately struck the raft with such violence
as to precipitate the unhappy man into the
water. He at once commenced swimming
for small island on the brink of the fall
but was unable 10 gain it. When he per.
ceived that all his efforts were useless, he
raised his body erect in the water, waved
his arms wildly, and with a shrek that wa:
distinctly audible to those on the bridge
took the fatal plunge.
tits all over now. The scene OF death i:
still--save with the never ceasinig chant ol
those terrible rapids whose covert handsurg'
ed on the vsctms to their fearful DOOM
Heaven grant that this may be the last sac
rifce to their wrath--that their song may
not again be broken by such shrek at
Avery raised when he yielded to their vii
and met his mournful fate.