Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-01-31
AFearfuI Adventure on Niagara River.

evening. luc qudbuty OF ice passing
down the river on Saturday afternoon had
caused the ferry boat plying between
Black Rock and Fort Erie to suspend her
trips, and VIM. A. Thompson, Vice Presi-
dent Of the new Erie and Niagara Rail-
road, together with Canadian named
Warren, employed on the road, being de-
sirous Of crossing, engaged a colored boy
named William Bartlett to take them over
in a small boat. They pushed out into
the stream at hsf-past five O'Clock, and
after much difficulty got through the shore
ice ard reached clear water. Upon reach
ing the American side the ice pressed
about them thicker than ever, and they
attempted to return, but it was too late
They had entered so far that to return was
impossible. They were caught by the ICE
wedged fast between its grinding cakes,
and could 20 neither forward cor back
Another moment, and it had crushed the
sides of their boat, so that it began TO fiji
rapidly and'sn The account continues:
The three immediately leaped out up
on a cake of ice nearest at hand, which
proved 10 be a small one, scarcely larger
than a door, and drew the boat partly up-
on it after them. Their hope was in be-
ing able TO turn the craft bottom up and
mount its keel. in which position they
might be foa,ed by it; but the mass was
not large enough to permit such an opera
ton. Mr.. Thompson then attempted TO
bail out the boat with bis cap; but while
doing so, the boy cried out that the icr
was upon them again, and they had bare
ly time to throw themselves into the halt
filed boat when the piece upon which
they had stood was crushed by another
mass coming down upon il. An instant
more and the boat was also struck, turned
bottom upward, and Mr.. Thompson and
Nj. Warren plunged into the water. The
negro boy succeeded in leaping upon an
ice cake. Mr.. Thompson sank once and
came up, when he clutched the boat, made
his way TO the stern and climbed upon
the Keel. Here he saw his companion
Warren sinking for the last time, short
distance away, and drowning before his
eyes, while he was utterly powerltss to
help. He had scarcely witnessed this.
when death rushed upon him again. The
boat was once more struck and rolled over.
Again he sank, and again, on rising. he
ciutched The boat, which again had rghted
itself. Climbing into ITS stern, which sank
with hiswei2ht two or three feet below
the surface. lie sat for time with the wa
ter TO bis chin.
By this time it had long grown dark.
He could see but little about him. Pres
emily, cake of ice drifting down upon
HIM, be put out his hand tn ward il away
and feeling it TO be several inches thick
and apparently of some size, he concluded
II best 10 escape. if possible, from the boat
TO the ice. He very nearly failed in do,
ing so. barely getting his breast upon the
edge OF The cake when he sprang from the,
boat and finding it impossible. to I;ft he
body above that position. Providentally
however, the boat in rising Just touched
his foot and gave him slight push for
ward, after which he was enabled. BY long
and exhsusling efforts, to crawl upon the
cake. Here be stood upright, and, moi
knowing the size Of the ice raft. dared not
move. Hailing the boy Bartlett, he found
him still afioat upon his bit Of ice, a hun.
drrd or two yards away, loudly engaged
in almost frantic prayer.
And now began the wonderful voyag,
OF the river, through The darkness and The
storm OF freezing sIeet which fell upon
their fraI RATS of ice. Those who were
out Saturday evening will remember what
bitter night it was. A fine rain, driven
by keen north winds, stung the face of the
Traveller, and cased every thing exposed
with quick mail of ice. To all this pelt.
lng STORM, these wet and exhausted cast
always, drifting along the cold current OF
the Niagara, with the horrid dread of inn
mlnent death to freeze their hearts within
them, were exposed for three mortal hours.
Mr.. Thompson had lost both can and
gloves. His clothing was frozen into th,.
rigldny OF iron armor, and he became in
capable of motion. except as he slightly
swung his arms to keep them flexible
All that he could do for himself was To-
shout and cry for help, which he did s:eadi |
iy, and with the whole strength of his
lungs for hours. Fortunately, possessed
OF magnificent physique in every repect.
his Voice was capable of the exert;on.
Once, somewhere, in the vicinity of Low
er Black Rock, he received a response
from shore, hut to his appeal for rescue
the voice out of the darkness repIied tha, |
1t had no oars and could do nothing. The
miserable fool,or worse who heard and hail
ed seems to have made no effort 10 rouse |
his nrighborhood and set its energies to
work Tor the rescue of the periled men
who appealed TO him. And so they drift
ed on beyond Black Rock, beyond Straw
berry Island. past the head Of Grand ISIS /
and, and steadily on towards those currents
OF the great cataract where no hand could
save them. Steadily the cry for help
rang out across the water and through
the black night, and 90 ear heard and no
tongue answered. Three hours had pass.
ed-seven miles of the river traversed-
1t was nine o'clock of the night Hope
began to die in the heart Of Mr. Thonp-
son, stou, and strong as it was. III. called
10 MS companion, the negro boy, and gave
nm a message for his wife and children