Daily Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1854-1855, 1855-08-01

81 Can DO AsYru.ne That you Ct

MR. EDIToR:-I present you the follow
ing "Reminiscences Of old times:
In the winter Of 1918, a Mr.. A., Mr.. c.
and Mr.. r. started from lie Roy, Genesec
county, to 20 to Lewiston. Niagara county
on business. On the route they visited Nj.
agara Fslls--Mr. A. and Mr.. r. for the frs,
time. On arriving at the Falls, Mr.. c.,
who had been there several times before, in
accordance with the usual characteristic Of
the early settlers, to new corners, very pc.
litely made extra exertions to entertain his
two newcomer companions, at that won.
dsrful, bewildering and re nowned spot up.
on earth. He piloted Us to several positions
where the mighty cataract could be seen
to the best adyantage-and lastly he led
the way to the ladder, which at that day
was the only provision made on the Ameri.
can side for the descent and ascent to and
from the terrific appearing clasm into which
the mighty ut-pouring waters OF the great
lakes tumbled with tremendous roar. The
ladder was placed in Z perpendicular posi-
ton, and by some means fastened to the
bank ofshelving rocks, the length of which
reached to the bottom. over $50 feet.
Mr.. C. proposed descending the ladder,
90 that we might have more grand and
satisfa Glory view OF the great wonder.
hooked my arm around q small sapling that
was growing upon the bank, looked over,
and discovered the ladder, which presented
the appearance of column Of ice with
holes through il. leaned back to stand.
/, ing position, and said to Mr.. c., think it a
too hazardous undertaking to descend that
ladder merely to crafty curiosity. Mr.. C.
replied there would be no danger, us he had
been down in il many time in the summe
season--and immediately started upon the
desce ut. After few moments called to
Mr.. c. to know how the land lay. He re.
piled all right, there is no danger. /. from
at that day. said: "Ican do anything that you
can," and Immediately followed him, and
Mr.. A. followed me. We descended slow.
ly and cautiously by encircling the rounds
Of the ladder with our arms, and by the time
were half way down halted and discussed
the question whether we had not better
abandon the journey and return. II wa e.
nally decided to proceed After reaching
the bottom and taking a survey OF our low
er region locality, we found our situation
most gloomy and frightful no living crea-
ture or thingto be seen-not even snow
bird. and no enlivening ray of sun to cheer
Us, as it was cloudy day. On looking up
upon the ladder on which we descended,
each round was made about six inches in
diameter, by the ice which CONCEALED to ii,
and for inches inwardly from each rave OF
the ladder, the rounds were connected to.
gether by solid ice.
For myseli I felt had at last landed in
the "Horribie Pit" not Of "mirp cidy," but
OF frozen waters, and the freezing spray
from the great cataract. We gave but
casual glance at the object Of our pursuit.
We did not enjoy the view of the leaping,
tumbiing ocean of waters from the upper
world. We were willing To- travel many
miles rather than ascend the ladder. On ia.
king q survey and examination OF the desc.
late region around US, we found there was
no other way Of getting into the world
above again but by that ladder. Mr. A.
WIS 40 years cd weigh, 200 lbs. M. C.
80 years, Mr.. r. IS, weight of each $50 lbs
Mr.. A. and c at that moment undoubtedly
thought of wife and children. "a surely did
Of parents, brothers, sisters and friends.--
We seated ourselves upon q boulde of ice.
and attempted in rather a gloomy tone Of
voice to cheer each other up to the accom-
came TO the conclusion thatas we Ind come
down sa ely, we could return safely, il our
nerves did not fail Us. After sitting a little
time upon the ice with folded arms, felt
had become suffi GENTLY cool and collected
to make move up the ladder. led off.
Mr.. C. followed, and Mr.. A. the oldest and
heaviest man brought up the rear.
After journeyng little, Mr.. C. and my
self commenced conversation, for the pur-
pose Of cheering each other, but Mr.. A.
was speechless. I neither looked up or
down, and knew not what position was
in, as to distance in the Journey until nv
arm encircled the topmost round Of the lad
der upon the bank. then sang QUIT
AN up.--lH THE WORLD AGAIN." Mr.. c.
was close at my heels, but on looking dowa
Mr.. A. WIS some 90 feet below. and appa-
rently greatly fa,igued. We spoke cheer
ing d. to him, and he soon arrived with.
in our grasp--speechless and almost sense.
less, with face sufficiently white for the
sbroud, we had him sitting beside us on the
bank. After revving little he stated thar
he got along very well until he looked down
to ascertain what progress he had made /;
that look bedizzened his head, and about the
time sang out al am up" he felt that he
must fall; he believed that announcement
saved his lite.
We then returned to the public house
and reported our adventure;it brought the
citizens Of the place who were present up.
on their feet in surprise-and some Of them
said they had frequently been down the lad
der when clear Of ice; but no amount of
money would tempt them to the undertaking
at that time.
think if that performance could be re-
enacted at this day, as then. by three pion-
eer Yankees, it would attract nearly as
large a crowd of people as did the leap of
Sam Patch.
Now the observation Of the resolve, 81
can do as much IA you cam" is commenda-
BILE in young man, if the undertaking or
enterprise 10 laudable and praiseworthv, but
the breach ofthe thoughtiess and fool-hardy
one have related 10 more commendable
than an adherence to il. Mr.. A som years
| since departed from this world Of cataracts
and chasms, and trust his spirit ascended
the ladder to the realms Of bliss, as he was
. man OF prayer Mr.. c. and Mr.. R. "stil
live - Batavia Aduertiser.
"Has man." asked Mr.. pumpkins, mr.