Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1855-08-16
From the Batavia IN. " Advocate.

!
l Mr.. Editor:-I present you the fol
lowing reminiscence of olden times:
/ In the winter of 1918, a Mr.. A, Mr.
C. and Mr.. B., started from LIE Roy
Genesee county, to go to Lewiston, Nj
agars county, on business. On tn,
route they visited Niagara Falls-Mr
A. and Mr.. B. for the first time. Or
arriving at the Falls, Mr.. c., who haC
been there several times before. in &C
cordance with the usual characteristic:
of the early settlers to new corners. very
politely made exertions to entertain hi:
companions. He piloted us to severa
positions where the mighty cataract
could be seen to the best advantage
and lastly, he led the way to the ladder,
which at that day was the only provi.
sion made on the American side for the
descent and ascent to and from the
chasm into which the mighty waters OF
the great lakes tumbled with tremen-
dous roar. The ladder was placed in a
perpendicular position, and by some
means fastened to the bank of shelving
rocks, the length of which, reaching to
the bottom, was over $50 feet.
Mr.. C. proposed descending the lad
der, that we might have more grand
and satisfactory view of the great Won
der hooked my arm around small
ssppling that was growing upon the
bank, looked over and discovered the
ladder presenting the appearance of a
column. of ice, with holes through it
l leaned back to a standing position,
and said to Mr.. c., think it too hazar-
dous undertaking. to descend that lad
der merely to crafty curiosity. Mr.. G.
replied there would be no danger, as
he had been down it many tipe in the
summer season-and Immediately start
ed upon the descent. After few mo-
ments l called 70 Mr.. C. to know how
the land lay? He replied all right,
there is no danger. |, from an impulse
of ambition entertained by me at that
day--said. 81 can do anything thatyou
can," and Immediately followed him,
and Mr.. A. followed me. We descend
ed slowly and cautiously, by encircling
the rounds of the ladder with our 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 de-
cided to proceed. -,
After reaching the Bottom and tax
ing survey of our lower region loca-
ton, we found our situation most gloomy
and frigh6ul--no living creature or
thing to be seen-not even a snow bird,
and no enlivening ray of the sun to
cheer us. as it was cloudy day. On
looking up the ladder on which we de-
scended, each round was made about
six inches in diameter, by the ice which
CONCEALED to it, and for inches inwardly
from each rave of the ladder the rounds
were connected together by solid ice
For myself, 1 thought l had landed in
the Horrible Pit" not of "miry clay" "
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, tumbling ocean of waters
from the upper world. The question
was how should we return? We were
willing to travel many miles rather than
ascend that ladder
On taking survey and examination
of the desolate 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 years
old, weight 200 lbs; Mr.. c. 80 years
old, Mr.. B. 26, weight of each $50 lbs. !
Mr.. A. and C. at that moment, un-
doubtedly thought of wife and children,
as l surely did of parents, sisters, broth |
ers and friends. We seated ourselves
upon boulder of ice, and attempted in
rather gloomy tone of voice to cheer
each other up to the accomplishment of
the task before US, and we came to the
conclusion that as we had come down
safely we could return safely if our
nerves did not fail US. After sitting
little time upon the ice with folded arms,
l felt to have become sufficiently cool
and collected to make a move up the
ladder. 1 led off, Mr.. c. followed, and
Mr.. A. the oldest and heaviest man
brought up the rear.
After journeying little, Mr.. c. and
myself commenced conversation, for the |
purpose of cheering each other up, but
Mr.. A. was speechless. / neither look
ed up or down, but knew not what po-
sition l was in, as to distance in the
journey, until my arm encircled the top
most round of heladder upon the bank
l then sang out-'1 am upl-In the |
world again!" Mr. c. was close at my
heels; but on looking down, Mr.. A. was
some go feet below, and apparently
greatly fatigued. We spoke cheering /
words to him, and he soon arrived with
in our grasp-speechless and almost
senseless. with face sufficiently white
for the shroud, we had him sitting be-
side us on the bank. After reviving
little, he stated that be got along very
well until he looked down to ascertain
what progress he had made; that look
bedizzened his head, and about the time
l sang out-''I am up" he felt that he
must fall; he believed that announce
ment saved his life.
We then returned to the public house