New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-07-18
NIAGARA FALLS.
COMMUNITY OF EXToRTIONERs.

I,suRD-pRIDAI PARTIES PRESENT IN FORCE.
frRou AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRrBUSEl
NIAGARA FALLS, July 3.-AlthOugh the sea-
ba fairly opened at this most attractive OF Summer
resorts the hotels still only moderately well patron
i,od and the proprletors are beginning TO wonder
e,,or after ALL they and their neighbors have not,
nv extortIons killed the migratory goose that has
h,berto laid its annual golden In their ample money
drawer How It may be Later in the season no one can
hrt Il becins TO look now II the patronage OF the
hotels this year would be pretty much restricted to that
OF transient visitors who will stay over few hours or
perhaps a night. while journeyng TO other ana less
costly places of Summer residence The truth Is Mag
ara with all its grandeur of natural scenery has bad
name among travellers who, like John Gipn, have fru-
cal minds though upon pleasure bent and the perpetual
demand for tolls soon coos the enthusiasm OF the most
ardent admrer OF nature whose financial
limited and who has rent TO pay at home.
From the results OF my observation, somewhat care
fnv made think It safe TO say that there is now no
spot at which ogate could be placed through which
any one would ever be likely to pass, that is not pro-
vded with an ornamental structure Of this character
and while the effect Is rather pleasing to the It de-
tracts not "A little from the enjoyment OF the scenery
Visitors I'm past years will doubtless remember with
pleasure the one unguarded spot where they might
wander beyond the reach on importunate hackdryers
and see tho Falls or at least part Of them without
having any one for the privilege alude to tho little
strn ~ land on the lower side Of the American Fall
Won reached IL by climbing rickety stile, which was in
charming contrast to the painted portals of surrounding
tolgates No one trimmed the trees the paths, made
by visitors feet were comfortably rough and stony
with now and then projecting root TO DO clanDered
over and the point Of rock from which one looked down
into the spraycouds at the foot Of tho Fan just
rock ought to be. Now all is changed. The broken
so has been replaced by an ornate togate the paths
have been Transformed into dusty carrageroads and
think OF H. ye lovers OF Nature the miserable creature
who owns the place is building stone wall along the
edge OF the rapids to the brink OF the fall that Wis
itors may lean over 1T and look at the water. was
prepared to pay toll whenever demanded. without MUIR
murng TO restrain tendency 10 thrash hackdryers
which might take possession OF me. and to generally
possess my soul in peace but confess that the I'm
provements" in what they call Prospect Park in
spired me with q desire TO catch one Of the masons
engaged in building the wall and throw him over the fall
THE INFAMOUS HACKMES.
1t must be confessed that the people OF this village
have learned from experience to spread their nets for
small change and even for legal tenders OF comfortably
large denominations with cOnsummate SIKH. There Is
no point on the American side from which one can catch
even a glimpse of the Falls without paying toll. This,
however one must expect and the aggregate tax is not
so heavy that you need think you have not had the value
of your money in seeing the Falls. Twenty cents Is
charged for admission 20 Prospect Park % cents for
ride down the Inclined planet used to be five cents5O
cents for a ride TO the Canada side In the little
boat which plies back and FORTH and so cents TO 20 upon
Goat Island. Considering the number OF visit
ors to the island, and the small cost Of
maintaining it in good order, this is a pretty
heavy toll netting the proprietors Of about
$4,000 or four per upon the estimated value OF the
uroperty The story that they have refused 100000
for the island without foundation for no one has ever
made them an offer Of that or any other amount Inc
revenue from the Cave OF the Winds is not large az but
I.V,fra md ug
the expedition and the guides have an easy time OF It,
The propretors Of the island not doing just the right
thing by the public in negecting to rebuild Ierrapih
Tower which was blown down last season. the bridge
leading out TO the rock which the tower STOOD Is III
a shocking condition. and has been closed Nsltors are
thus deprived Of very impressive view over the DElhk
NJ the Horse Shoe, and although the owners OF the
island talk about rebuilding the JOwr, tuey lust 50
much time talking about 1t tina. visitors arc not hkey
10 get the benefit of IL this season.
The worst nuisances here the hackmen, and one
can but wonder at the inscruable design OF Providence
In permitting them to live These fellows are the most
Unfortunate beggars for patronage in existence ana
have sometimes whether it Is not cheaper TO
employ them than to waste vital energy In arguing the
point. had little experience on the afternoon OF
my arrival here which may remind some OF your readers
OF their own experiences: Accompanied by TWO ladies'
started out for walk TO Goat Island but upon reach
ing the hotel veranda I button-hoed by the boss
that my carriage was all ready. Calmly and pa
tieptly argued the question, assuring him that he
was mistaken, and that, for good and sufficient rea-
sons, l should prefer TO walk But he was a
man OF resources SO cheap did he make it appear TO do
the island in carriage that it almost made me feel as
H. in declining the prOfercd vehicle which had drawn
up in response TO signal guilty Of nexcusabe
meanness in not allowing my obiging friend TO lose
money that might have pleasure tand enjoy my visit
and only the recollection that had paid 50, be-
sides tolls for yielding 10 tho Establishments OF car
riage agent, neryed me to refuse. With o look
OF mingled pity aud contempt he at last
allowed me to escape, but my troubles only begun.
Between the hotel and the bridge seven individual
hackmen lay In wait for me. Some came forward
smiling TO meet me, and walked comfortably along by
my side talking tho matter over; drove up along
side and walked their horses TO keep with the
party and afford time for discussion, and one fellow
opened his carriage door approached and, when
be found that we would not enter, kindly offered 10
lend me the money to pay the fare. Truly, we are
patient and ongsufering people for in other coun-
try in the world would alNagara hack driver live to
count his gains at night.
SIAGARA's FIRST FARoDASK.
Among tho other attractions at Niagara this season,
is a farobank owned and managed by q broken-down
New-YOrk gambler. This is the first institution Of its
kind in the place. and strange say it does not meet
with public disfayOr One OF the propertyOwners and
radesmen of the place openly expressed his approval
Of the game conversation with me, the other day,
and thought 1t would do much 70 u2ke Niagara popular
with sporting men, and although 1t is matter Of town
talk attempt has been made by the local autDU ties
to close the place This may be accepted as showing the
Generalization resulting from the bloodsucking system
by which the people Of Niagara thrive during the sea-
SON." They Will tell You how young men from the
hotels have been fleeced ont OF every cent they
had and commend the generosity Of the banker in lend
ing them the money to buy tickets home; and verify
believe that the wretch who keeps this hell is looked
upon at least by the tradesmen. a most desirable
felIowcitizen. SO much for public morals at Niagara
do not know who shares the profits Of the game but