Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-06-18
The Hero Of Niagara.

Many of our readers will recOllect the
prominence given a certain guide OF
Niagara Falls by Prof. Tyndall, after his
return home, in describing his explora-
lions behind the falling waters. That
this guides heroic deed was not overrated
we have ample evidence from his courage
exhibited yesterday in resculng William
Mccullough from a watery grave.
About II 80 a. m. yesterday the citi-
zens of Niagara were shocked by the re-
port that painter working on the bridge
leading to the second Sister Island had
fallen into the rapids below, and was
| carried over the falls. Our reporter was
soon on the spot, and found the facts
| somewhat exaggerated. 1t seems that
the painter, who is some sixty years of
age, was engaged in painting the bridges
spanning the chasm between the three
islands known as the Sister Islands. In
descending a short ladder to narrow
scaffold beside the bridge he accidentally
stepped to one side of the planks and
fell to the river below, only distance Of
few feet. In an instant he was carried
down the stream toward the falls. George
Curtis, photographer, who was arranging
his camera to take a view of the bridge
with the painter in his perilOus position,
heard a cry, and Immediately crossed to
Goat Island and ran toward Terrapin
Tower, thinking he might possibly ap-
proach near enough to shore to receive
what he supposed would be a corpse
after going through the turbulent rapids.
The unfortunate man rolled over and
over until he reached a deep place few
rods below the bridge, when he disap-
peared, with the exception of his boots.
The heavy current swept him on toward
the precipice with equal pace with the
photographer, until about forty rods be-
low the bridge, when his head appeared
above the water. Not being entirely in
sensible he espied a rock about six inches
out Of the water, and, spreading out his
arms, was driven with extreme force on
it, In nearly exhausted condition he
raised himself out of the water and sat
calmly on the rock. Being not far from
the shore, MI Curtis asked if he was hurt,
and received the reply that he was unin-
jured. Messengers were Immediately dis
patched to the paper-mill for ropes, and
in few minutes nearly the whole village
was running toward the scene.
The necessary ropes were soon on the
ground, and young man volunteered to
90 to the rescue. Fastening the rope
around his waist he started for the rock,
but he had gone but few feet when it was
evident that his fragile form could not
withstand the fierce current, and he came
ashore.
About this time Thomas Conroy, a
guide at the Cave of the Winds appeared
on the scene and Immediately volunteered
to bring Mr. Mccullough ashore. TAX
ing the rope in his hand Conroy started
I0,1+ N
of the current against the rope and him.
self was even too strong for his strong
frame and he likewise retreated. By this
time Mr. Mccullough could be seen
trembling with the cold, still grasping The
putty knife to which he had tenaciously
chung during his rapid descent, and many
were afraid he would become chilled
through and not be able to help himself
ashore after the rescue. Mr.. COnrOy now
assembled the river few rods and again
started out alone, and succeeded in reach
ing the unfortunate man. Tying the rope
around McCullough's breast and winding
the end twice about his own hand the two
started ashore. They had only gone a
few steps when the stiff current swept
their feet from under them and many
strong hands commenced pulling on the
rope.
The fierce current, together with the
rapid pulling, Immediately caused the
heads of both to disappear under water,
and in this condition they were both
landed safely, amid the cheers of the hun
dreds who lined the banks. Both persons
were nearly sUffocated, but soon recovered.
Cheer after cheer went up for Conroy,
the hero of Niagara"
A gentleman and lady who were stop
ping at one of the hotels Immediately
handed him fifteen dollars, and in very
short time the amount was raised to some
thing over 800.
Mr. Mccullough is highly respected by
ali who know him. Although this shock
to his nervous system is considerable, his
personal injuries are very slight. The
rock that was his refuge from death for
one hour is only two feet square, and will
probably henceforth be called McCul-
lough's Rock" On reaching it, Conroy
requested the gift of the putty-knife as a
souvenir Of the occasion, but, very much
to his regret, lost it before getting ashore.
-BUfdl0 Commercial Advertiser, June2.