The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1861-01-04
The Fall Of Table Rock./

hi, GSGTgS Sof W wte' u: Tt, %r,e' from Niagara to
said had something to do with tho
falling of Table Rock, that broad shelf on
tho Canada side, which in 1850 jutted over
the very cauldron OF tho seuthing waters,
but which tumbled into it on certain day
in tho month of Juno, Of that, by the we'll
remembered year. About noon on that day
I accompanied lady from the Clifton
House to the Falls. Arriving at Table Rock
we left our carriage, and as we approached
tho projecting platform, pointed out to
nv companion vast crack or fissure which
trayOrscd the entire base Of the rock, re.
marking that il looked wider than il bad
ever before appeared to me. Tho lady
almost shuddered as che looked at IL, and
declared she did not caro- about going to tho
edge. "Ah," said l, taking hcr nand, "you
might as well come on row that you are
hore. hardly think the rock will take
notion to fall merely because we are on H."
The platform juttod out from tho main
land some sixty feet; but to give the visitor
n still more fearful projection over the
raging water, q wooden bridge or singing
had Goen thrust beyond tho extreme edge
som Q ten feet. This terminated in n small
box for visitors to stand in and was kept in
its position and enabled to bear weight by q
pondrous load of stones heaped upon its
inner end. The day was very bright and
hot, and it being near lunch time at the
hotels, but fow visitors wore out, SO we oc-
cupied the dizzy porch alone. We gazed
fcarfully out upon the awful waters, we
stretched our hoads timidlv over the fright
ful depth below, and we fclt our natures
ouol!ed in every fiber by tho destening roar
that seemed to salute us, as it wore, with an
undefnable dread.
"This is terrible place !" said I, "Look
under there. and see 90 what a mere shell
we stand! For years and years the teeth of tho
torrent, iu that jet.ing, angry stream have
been guawiug out that hollow, and some
day this place must fall y My companion
shuddered, end drew hcrsolf back in alarm.
Oar oycs swept tho roaring circle of the
waters once again we gazed about in fear.
tul fascination. when suddenly, turning our
locks upon each other. each recognized q
corresponding fear. II do not like this
placo!' exclaimed l quickly. Tho whole
base of this rock is probably dsintcgrated
and perhaps sits poised in succession OF
stops or notches. ready to fall out and topp!o
down at any unusual perturbation. The
fissure thore seems to be moro than usually
widc to-day think we had better leave,
for do not like such finis; and, besides
my paper must be published ncxt week.
With these very words-the latter uttered
half jocosely though without alarm
seized my companions hand, and in absoIuto
panic we fed as fast as our feot could carry
us towards what might bo called the shore.
We burst into a laugh when we regaiEed
tho land, and jumping into our carriage fell
actually as if wo had made a fortunate
escape, Wo rolled back toward the Clifton
but before we had proceeded two minutes
ON our way, numbering report like tn,
explosion of an earthquake burst upon US
and. with long roar, tho ground trembleC
beneath our wheels. We turned TO fine
that Table Rock had fallen. We we're Tho
iast upon it, and it was, doubtless, tho per
turbation caused by our flying footsteps
that disturbed tho exsctitude OF its equili
brium, and thrilled it from it's final poise.
In n minute more the road was filled will
hnrrying people, and during the following
half hour we were told hundred times il
advance of the next morning journals, tina
lady and gentleman who wero on tho Rock
had gone down tho Falls. We arc told tha
a trot of dog would shake old LondoI
Bridge from end to end, when it would no
be disturbed by tho rolling of heavy wagons
Table Rock had probably not been rur
upon in tho way described for years
perhaps never; and. therefore, whenev cr
hear it spoken of, l always shudder and fee
as if had something to do with it's fall.