The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-06-15
ADVENTURE AT NIAGARA EALLS-THE
a.-i ~ LADDER OF ICE
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Mr. Editor IL present you the following
reminiscence of olden times:
! In the winter of 1878, Mr.. A., Mr.. G.
and Mr. R., started from lie Roy, Genesee
county, to 90 to Lewistown, Niagara county, on
business. On the route they visited Niagara
Falls-Mr Asand Mr. r. for the first time =
On arriving at the Falls, Mr. CT who had been
there several times before, in accordance with
the usual Characteristic of the eArly settlers to
the new Corners, very politely made extra ex
ertiens to entertain his two new-epmer- eompan-
ions, at that wonderful, bewilaering and re-
nowned spot on earth. He pilpted us to sew
eral positions where the ighty satarnct ght
be seen to the best advan taee==<and lastly he
led the way to- the ladder, which at that day
was the only provision made onsthe American
side for the descent and ascent toand from the
terrific appearing chasm into which the mighty
out-pouring waters of the great hkes tunlbled
with tremendous roar. The ladder was
placed in perpendicular position, and by some
means fastened to the bank of shelving rocks,
the length of which reached to the bottom,
over $50 feet
Mr.. G. proposed descending tie ladder, that
we might have more grand and satisfactory
view of the great wonder hooked my arm
around small sapling that was gfowing- upon
the bank, looked over, and discovered the lad
der presented the appearance of a column of
ice with holes through it. [ leaned back to a
standing position, and said to Mr.. c., I think
it a too hazardous undertaking to descend that
ladder merely to crafty curiosity. Mr. G. re-
piled there would be no danger, as he had been
down it many time, in the summer season
and Immediately started upon the descent. AT
ter few minutes / called.to NESs Ito know
HOW fand . rof1sed tiS.e
is no danger. i, from an impulse Of ambition
entertained by me at that day, said ~ can do
anytting that you can" and Immediately fol-
lowed him, and Mr.. A followed me We de-
scended 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 decided to proceed. After reaching the
bottom, and taking survey of our lower re-
gion location, we found our situation most
gloomy and frightful-no living creature or
thing to be seen.-not even SHOW bird, and
no enliveaing ray of the sun, to cheer us, as it
was a cloudy day On looking up upon the
ladder on which we descended, esch round was
made about six inches in diameter, by the ice
which congealed to it, and for indies from each
rave of the ladder, the rounds we're connected
together by solid ice. For myself, felt that
| had at last landed in the "H0y7ible Pit" not
cf .'mi1y ctdy," but of frozen waters, and the
freezing spray from the great caaract. -
We gave but casual glance It the object of
our pursuit We did not enjoy the view of
the leaping, tumbling, ocean d waters from
the upper world The question was, how should
we return. We were willing tt travel many
miles rather than to ascend that ladder.-On
taking a survey and examination of the DESC
late regions around US we fount there was no
other way of getting into the world above
again, but by that ladder. Mr.. A. was 40
years cid, weight 200 lbs. Nh C. so years,
Mr.. r. 25, weight of each 15A lbs. Mr.. A.
and G.. at that moment, undoubtedly thought
of wife and children, as surely as did of par
ents, sisters, brothers, and friends We seated
ourselves upon a boulder Of ice and attempt
ed in a rather gloomy tone of. voice to cheer
each other up to the accomplishment of the
task before us, and we come to the conclusion
that we had come down safely, we could re-
turn safely, if our nerves did not fail us. At
ter sitting little time upon the ice with fold
ed arms, l felt had become sufficiently 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 iourneyin@ for -li.tie.- Mr. land
pose of Cheering each other up, but Mr.. A.
was speechless. neither looked up or down,
and I knew not what position was in, as to
distance in the journey, until my arm encircled
the topmost round of the ladder upon the
bank. | then sang QUIT AN UP!-IN THE
WORLD AGAIN y Mr.. C. was close at my
heels, but on looking down, Mr. A. was some
20 feet below, and apparently greatly fatigued.
We spoke cheering words to him, and he soon
arrived within our grasp-speechless and al
most ,senseless with a.face sufficiently white
for shroud, we had him sitting beside us on
the bank. After reviving little. he stated
that he. had get along very well until he looked
down to ascertain what progress he had made );
that look bedizzened his head, and about the
time [ sung out 81 am up" he felt that he
must fall; he believed that an announcement saved
his life
We then returned to the public house and
reported our adventures it brought the citi-
zens of the place who were present upon their
feet in surprise-and some of them said they
had frequently been down the ladder when
clear of ice; but no amount Of money would
tempt them to the undertakings at that time
think if that performance could be re-en-
acted at this day, as then, by three pioneer
Yankees, it would attract nearly as large a
crowd of people as did the leap Of Sam Patch.
Now the observance of the resolve, 81 can
do anything that you can, is eomnendatein a
young man, if the undertaking or enterprise is
laudablc and praiseworthy; but the breach of the
thoughtless and fool hardy one have just re-
lated, is more commendable than an adherence