Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1855-08-04
[From the Batavia an. ~ Advocated
Adventure at Niagara Eslls--.The Ice
4 CAN DO ANYTnlNo THAT You CAN DO

81 GAN DO ANYTHING THAT You CAN DO"
Ma. EorroE:-I present you the following remi-
Enisceace Of olden lines:
In the winter of 1878, Nh. A., Mr. G. and Mr..
B., started fIom LIE Roy, Genesee county, to 20 10
Lewiston, Niagara county, on business On the
route they visited Niagara FalIs--MG. a. and Mr..
B. for the first 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 comerS, very politely made
eXeFtionS 10 entertain his companions. Hell iEoted
US TO several positions where the mighty cataract
could be see 10 the best advantage aud lastly, he
LED the way to the ladder. which at that day was
the only provision made on the american side for
the descent aud ascent to and from the chaSm in
TO which the mighty waters Of the great lakes
tumble with Tremendous sOar. The ladder was
placed IN perpendicular position, and by some
means fastened 10 the bank of shelving rocks, the
length OF which, reachIng TO the bottom, was
over 1850.
Mr.. G. proposed descending the ladder, that we
might have more grand and satisfactory view Of
the great wonder. l hooked my arm around small
Sapling that was growing upon the bank, looked
over and discovered the ladder presenting tie ap-
peaEance OF a column OF ice, with holes through
il. leaned back to standing position, and said
to Mr.. c., think ii TOO hazardous undertaking,
TO descend that ladder meIey 10 gEatify curiosity.
Mr.. G. replied there would be no danger, as he had
been down it many time in the summer SEASON.
llAIuGul1LGll SLdIleu INC ucSCSul aIlGE
| few moments called 10 Mr.. G. 10 know how
the land lay! He replied all night, there is 10
danger. |, from an impulse OF ambition entertain
ed by me at that day-''I can do anything that You
cam" and Immediately followed HIM, aud AIr. A.
followed me. We descended slowly but cautious
ly, byencIrcling the rounds of the ladder with
OUT arms, and by the time We were half way
down, we halted, and discussed the question
whether we had not better abandon the Journey
and return. 1t was finally decided 10 proceed.
| After reaching the bottom and taking survey OF
our lower legion location, we found our situation
most gloomy and Itightlul-no living creature
thing 10 be Seen-nOt even snow bird, and no
enIIvening ray Ot the sun to cheer US, as it was
cloudy day. On looking up the ladder oil which
we descended, each round was made about six
inches Ill dllneter, by The ice which cOngeaIed to
II, and Tor inches awaEdly from each rave of the
the ladder the rounds were connected together
by solid ice. For myself l thong ht had landed
IN the "HoErble Pit not of "nlry clay,' but of
frozen waters and the freezing spray from The great
| cataract. We gave but casual glance at the OBJ
iect of pursuit. We did not enjoy the view of
the leaplng, Iumbling ocean of waters from the
| upper world. The question was how should we
Telurn? We were willing TO travel many miles
| rather than ascend that ladder.
Ontaking survey and examination of the deS-
olaIe region around us, we found that there was
no other way of getting into the world above again
but by that ladder. Mr.. A. was 40 wears old
|
of each l5OlbS. MI. A. and c. al that moment,
undoubtedly thought OF wife and children, as
SurIey did ofparentS, sisters, brothers and friends
| We seated ourselves upon u boulder Of ice, and
attempted in ratLet gloomy tone OF voice TO cheer
each other up to the accomplishment of the task
before US, aud we came to the conclusion that as
we had come down safely could leturn safely
# Onr nerves did not fail US. After sitting lit.
tie time upon the ice with folded arms, felt to
have become sufficiently COO! and collected 10
make move up the ladder. | led of. Mr.. G. fol-
| lowed, aud MT. A. the Oldest and heaviest man
brought up the rear.
Alter journeying little, Mr.. C. and myself
commenced conversation, for the purpose ofcherr
ing each other up, but Mr.. a. was speeches.. l
neither IOokedup or down, but knew not what
position was III, us TO distance IN the journey,
| u Mil my arm eucircIed the tOpma.t Md the
ladder upon the bank. then s: ng out-"I a"
up!-ln the world uglin!' Mr.. l was close at
my heels; but OH looking down. Mr.. A. was me
20 feet below, aud appearantly greatly falIsu, u.
We spoke cheering words TO hun, and he soon ar
rived within our graSp-SpeechleSs and almost
SenSeSS, with face sufficiently white for the
Shroud. we had him sitting beside US on the bank.
Alter reviving little, he stated that he got along
very well until he looked down to ascertain what
progress he had made; that look bedlzzened his
head, and about the time sang out-''l am up
lie telt that he must fall; he believed that an.
| noUncement saved him.
We then returned 10 the public house and re-
ported our adventures. 1t brought the citizens of
| the place, who were present. TO their feet, in
SurpnSe-and some Of them said they had frequent
ly been down the ladder hen clear Of ice, but no
amount Of money tempt them to the undertaking
at that time.
think If that performance could be re enacted
at this day, as then, by three pioneer Yankees, il
would attract nearly as large crowd as did Sam
Patch. Now the observance of the resolve, Il
can do anything that you cam is commendabIe in
Il young man, If tne undertaking OF enterprise is
laudHble aud praiseworthy, but lis breach in the
thoushtleSS ard lOol-hnrdy one have related, is
more commenLabe than an adherance 10 it. Mr.
A. some years since, departed from this world o.
cataracts and clrnsns, ana trust his Spint ascen-
Ied The ladder 10 the realms of bliss, as lie was
man OF prayer. MIR. G. and Mr.. u. ''Sll live"
Batavia, July, 1865. Il.