Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-02-04
Description Of Niagara Falls Seventy Year. Ago.

The following letter is taken from the Co
lumbian Magazine for June, 1890, and Is writ.
ten by Andrew Elliott, Esq, to Dr.. Rush.
DEAR Sm:-AmoDg the many natural curios-
tiles which this country affords, the Catarac. Of
Niagara is indefinitely the greatest. In order
TO have tolefable idea Of this stupendous fall
OF water, 1t will be necessary to conceive that
part OF the country In which Lake Erie is stu
ated, to be elevated above that which contains
Lake Ontario, about three hundred feet. The
slope which separates the upper and lower coun-
try is generally very steep, and in many cases
almost perpendicular. II Is formed by horizon
tai strata, of stonea great part of which is what
we commonly call limestone. The slope may
be traced from the north side Of Lake Ontario,
near the bay of Toronto, (sie) round the west
end Of the lake; thence its direction is general
ly east, between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie
1t crosses the strait of Niagara, and the Che
neseco River, after which it becomes lost In
the country towards the Seneci Lake. 1t ;s 20
this slope that our country is inuebted, both for
the Cataract Of Niagara, and the Falls of the
Cheneseco.
The Cararact of Niagara was formerly down
at the northern side of the slope, near to that
place which is now known by the name OF the
landing; but from the great length of time ad
ded TO the great quantity Of water, and distance
which it falls, the solid stone is worn away, for
about seven miles, up towards Lake Erie, and q
chasm is formed which no person can approach
without horror. Down this chasm the water
rushes with most astonishing velocity, after 1t
makes the great pitch In going up the road
near the chasm, the fancy is constantly engaged
in the contemplation Of the most romantic and
awful prospects imaginable, till at length the
eye catches the Fals-the Imagination is in
Stantly aroused, and you admire 10 sileucs The
river is about one hundred and thirty.fye poles
vide, at the Falls, and the perpendicular pitch
one hundred and fifty feet. The fall Of this
vast body of water produces eound, which is
frequently heard at distance Of twenty miles,
and sensible trcmuous motion in the earth
for some poles round. A heavy fog or cloud
is constantly ascending from the Falls, in which
Fainbows may always be seen when the sun
shines This fog or spray, in the winter season,
falls upon the neighboring trees, where it con-
geals and produces mos. beautiful chrystaline
appearance. This remark Is equally applicable
| to the Falls of the Cheneseco.
| The difficulty which would attend Ievelipg the
rapids in the chasm, prevented my attempting
| it; but conjecture the water must descend at
least 65 feet-tbe perpendicular pitch q. the
cataract is $50 feet, 10 these add 5s feet, which
the water falls in the last half mile, immediate.
y above the falls, and we have 273 fec: which
the water falls, in distance Of about seven
miles and half. II either ducks or geese in
adyertently alight in the rapids above the great
cataract, they are incapable Of getting on the
wing again, and are instantly hurried to de-
struction. $50
There Is one appearance at this cataract
worthy of some attention, and which do no!
remember to have seen noted by any writer =
Just below the great pitch, the water and foam
may be seen pufed up in spherical figures,
nearly as large as common cocks of hay, they
burst at the top, and project column of spray
to prodigious height, they then subside, and
are succeeded by others, which burst in like
manner. This appearance is most conspicuous
about half way between the island that divides
the falls and the west side of the strait, where
the largest columns of water descends.
| am yours &C.,
-. ANDREW ELLIOTT.
Niagara, Dec. ~, 1889. tss