Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1857-04-30
A'MANIN THE RAPIDS OF NIAGARA
From The Rochester Democrat.
Ara UTrT, March 3l-2lo'elock.

IRON He Rochester Democrat.
NIAGARA CIrY, March 3I-2Io'clock.
have just returned from most exciting and
thrilling scene, which happily terminated in the
rescue Of a man who had fallen into the furious
rapids near the great Suspension Bridge.
1t appears that be was a guest at the Ludlow
Hotel, aud after breakfast went out 10 view the
bridge and proceeded down the perilous steps
near Witmes Touring mill, on the bank Of the
Hver. On reaching the bottom be slipped and
fell INTO the water just above the bridge, and
when discovered was thirty or forty rods below
the bridge near the shore, rolling over and over
born along by the res.stless current, until he
caught bold of large rock, and after some fruit.
less struggles succeeded in reaching the top.
The alarm was Immediately given in the neigh.
borhood, aud it was soon decided that there was
no way of reaching him but BY means of rope
ladder. This was Immediately procured, and, af.
ter much hestation delay and alteration. occasion.
ed by the difficulty of determining where to place
it inaonuch as the man could not be seen from
the projecting bank over bis head, it was lowered
to the depth perhaps a hundred feet, ami be-
came enIanged among the rocks and trees. 1t
was at once decided that some one must 90 down
to disenangle it and conduct it down as far as the
shelving rock over the mans head. But who
among the crowd was willing, to undertake the ha-
zardous and doubtful experiment? In a few mo-
ments Willard B. CobuFn. porter of the Ludlow
Hotel, volunteered hisservices and proceeded to the
place where the ladder was attached TO the trees.
He needed assistance, and soon two more brave
men, Anthony Smiley and Mats Crane offered to
60 down. The three courageous men worked
braveIy for more than an hour in conducting the
ladder down the precipice, while men at the top
carefully let it down.
At length the waving of handkerchiefs and
cheering on the Canada side indicated to us that
the man had sprung to the shore from the rock
and had begun to ascend the ladder, Crane, the
old butcher went down over the shelving rock to
meet and help the man up the ladder But be
preferred to climb up without help. Crane went
below him, and id few moments lis bald head
was seen emerging from below. What a thrill
of JOY aud dread at once pcrvaded the hearts of
the multiludetha witnessed the exciting scqne!-
Joy because Of his success thus far, and fear lest
wet, cold, and almost exhausted, lie should lose
hold on the ladder and be dashed to fragments on
the rocks a hundred feet below. But cautiously
and with firm grasp anl step, be climbed up the
ladder, three hundred feet IN length, and was
greeted by the shouts and accamations of the
hundreds ofspectators who had assembled to wit.
ness the exciting scene. He was for few mo.
ments borne on the shoulders of the excited
all were 50 anxious to congratulate
nm.
As might have been expected, the mass of the
people seemed to forget that the faithful Dutch
butcher was yet below. A few remained near
-he top Of the ladder to see him safe up and to
speak words of commentator for his self forget.
Ting courage.