New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-10-01
THE DISASTER At ALBION.
Correspondence Of The n. Y. fribuae.

Cofrespoccence Of The n. I. Iribufe
ROCHESTER, Sept =, 1852
Ore of the most lsmentabe accidents tina. ever
befel Western New.York occurred yesterday, at
Albion. refer to the falling of the canal bridge at
that place OF which your readers have already been
advised by telegraph.
The Orleans County Fair was being held here and,
of course had brought together many from different
parts of the county. In consequence of this, boy
from Brockport (Blondin like) Tad stretched TOW.
line from the Mansion Hou.e scross the canal, and
announced ths. he would perform the daring fes,
Of crossing it. This jus, above the canal bridge.
Tie bridge then being the most accessible point to
view the scene, WAS coon covered by hundreds of
spectators. At 5 o'clock, the walker started his
rope, bat before he had proceeded fifteen feet, the
bridge gave way, preoipita.ing it's living mass into
the waters of the canal beneath. The bridge of
iron pnty cast and partly wrought; the western end
giving away first, fell partly slidug under the eastern
part; then the eastern section giving away, came
down with crash on the people, horses, and wagons
beneath.
There were three teams, two carrsges aud lam-
Der wagon or the bridge at the time of occurrence
one Of them up to this date has not been found.
In instant all was uprosr aud confusion. The
breakirg timb ers the kicking and hounderug Of the
horses, the shrieks of the women and children-the
boiling waters closing over them-.he anxious crowd
ing 70 the scene of disaster and the sad eaz ston of
friends that their kindred lost can better be i'm
seired than described. | crossed the bridge but
short time previous With a team, and little thought
that sad ard terrible casually was about TO hap
pen there. Up TO this time seventeen dead bodies
have been taken out ard the probability is that when
the water is drawn from the canal (which they are
now doirg) more will be found. The names of those
recovered in part are: Toos. Handy Of Yates; r.
Mudock, N. Henry, Augustus Martin, and Sarah
TLouss Of Carlton; Perry Cole Of Benton Corners
Mrs. veIe OF Barre; Thom.s Csiy Jane Avery
and Lydia Harris of Albion; Albert Wilcox Of
West Kendall; Mr. Cornell and Mr.. Stilmsn of
South Barre and Mis-, Pratt of Mc ,s
the towpsth under the bridge Thus it will b. seen
that the loss of life Of local character. Unlike
most of rsroad and ste .boat accidents 1t did not
gather its victims from different psrs Of the country
they were mostly well. known citizens OF Orleans
County, hvrg in almost one neighborhood. Thus
little community is called to mourn heavy loss Of
life.
Irasmuch o. tie above terrible calamity was the re-
suit of witnessing that foohardy exhibition OF rope
walking, l will give a description OF NJ. De Lsves
feat Of attempting to cross the Genesee River carrying
man upon his back, at this pl ace to-day.
NJ DE Lave le the east side Of the river g. about .
o'clock, ard walked upon his rops with apparent ease
to the opposite shore, lying down when midway the
rope, ard performing sundry teats, such as balancing
upon ore foot, Sc. The wind blew rather fresh, and
at times be wa enveloped in cloud Of spray. to
be lost from sight. The rope ia Suspended directly
over the ably below the fall that the spray has
endeDcy 10 wet the rope and render slippery fact
which Nj. De Lave learned by experience when he
yeLtured 10 cross with man upon his back.
After partsking of refreshIent, and resting awhile,
he started for the opposite shore with man upon his
shoulders, in the person of sailor weighing abou.
I40 pounds, which, with his balancing pole weighing
80 was more than the little Frercnnan could well
stand up uLder. II feared when he first stepped
upon the rope that he could not cross il. He made
bis way carefully nesrly half across, but when over
the yawDirg cbasm and nearly enveopsd 10 spray,
his feet slipped, and for moment they supposed
lost. Down, down, they went the ssor cingiug with
both hands around De Laves waist but De Lave
catches the rope with his arm, and they hang thu,
suspended nearly 100 feet above the fosmiog waters
beneath, dropping his balancing pole. De Lave
seized his fellow traveller by the clothes upon his back
and threw him with one hand upon one of the guy
ropes which they fortunately were near, then climbed
up himself DE Lave in doing this act of placing his
companion in comparative safety and then mounting
the rope himself showed wonderful coOlness and
nerve, and exhibited almost superhumsn streng h
As they fell the mpusivs crowd, with one accord,
fsnted; and for an instant all was sf. But when
they reached their places upon the rope chesr upon
cheer rent the air After resting while, they msde
their way, "land over hand" to shore-(the sailor
showing himself quite at home in this branch of the
performsnce)-glsd and lucky to gain terra fraaa
again. asked them how they felt as they came off
the rope-tO which the sailor man replied, 81 felt as
though would like something TO take;' and 20 doubt
be did SO ended the last act of rope walking and it
is to be hoped that it will not again be repeated.