The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1874-06-19

Many Of our readers will recollect the
prominence given a certain guide Of Mag
ara Falls by Prof. Tyndall after his return
home in describing his explorations be-
hind the falling wsters. That this guide :
heroic deed was not overnted We have
ample evidence from his courage exhibited
yesterday la rescuing VIM. Mccullough
from q watery grave.
About 1880 a. IN. yesterday the citizens
Of Niagara were shocked by the report that
a painter working on the bridge leading 10
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. Ii
seems that the painter. who is some sixty
years Of age, was engaged in painting the
bridges spanning the chasms between the
three islands known as the Sister Islands.
In descending 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 a few
feet. In an instant he was carried down
the stream toward the falls George Cur
It's, photographer, who Was arranging
his camera 10 take view of the bridge
with the painter in his perous position,
heard a cry, and Immediately crossed to
er, thinking he might possibly approach
near enough 10 shore To receive what he
supposed woul be 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 below
the bridge. when his head appeared above
the water. Not being entirely insensible.
he espied rock about six inches out of
the water, and. spreading out his arms.
was driven with extreme force on II. |,
nearly exhausted condition he raised him
self out of the water and sat calmly on the
rock. Being not far from shore. Mr.. Cur
It's asked If he was hurt. and receiv d the
reply that he was uniniured. Messengers
We're Immediately dispatched to the paper
mill for ropes. and in a few minutes near
ly the whole village was running toward
the scene.
The necessary ropes were soon on the
ground, and young man volunteered 10
go to the rescue. Fastening the rope
around his waist. he started for the rock.
but he had gone but a few feet when il
was evident that his fragile form could not
withstand the fierce current, and he came
ashore.
About this time Thomas Coroy. a guide
at the Cave of the Winds, appeared on the
scene and Immediately volunteered To
bring Mr.. Mccullough ashore. Taking
the rope i'm his hand. Conroy started to-
ward the isolated painter. but the force of
the current against the rope and himself
l..
and he likewise retreated. By this time
MIR. Mccullough could be seen trembling
with the cold, still grasping the putty
knife, To which he had tenaciously held
during his rapid descent. and many were
afraid he would be chilled through. and
not be able Ia help himself ashore after the
rescue. Mr.. Conroy now assembled the
river few rods and again started out
alone, and succeeded in reaching the un-
fortunate man. Tying the rope around
breast and winding the end
twice about his own hand. the two started
ashore. They had only gone few steps
when the stiff current swept their feet
rom under them, and many strong hands
commenced pulling on the rope.
The fierce current. together with the
-apid pulling. Immediately caused the
heads of both to disappear under water.
md in this condition they Were both land
ii safely, amid the cheers of the hundreds
who lined the banks. Both persons were
nearly suffocated, but soon recovered.
Cheer after cheer went up for Conroy. ]
the hero of Niagara"
A gen leman and lady who were stop
ping at one Of the hotels Immediately |
landed him Sl5, and in very short time /
he amount was raised to something over
100.
mir. Mccullough is aged about sixty !
ears. and a man very highly respected by |
II who know him. Although the shock l
o his nervous system is considerable. his
'ersonal injuries are very slight. The
ock that was his refuge from death for
me hour is only two feet square. and wi
} obably be henceforth called "McCul-
Dugh's Rock"
On reaching it, Conroy requested the
ift Of the putty knife a. A souvenir of the
ccsason, but. very much TO his regret.
,st 1t before getting ashore. -Bufato
4dpsrfiser