Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1874-03-07
OVER THE GENESEE FALLS,
Seventeen Cattle in the Rlvsr-Men Drive
Them Over the Brlnk--A Bullock That
Eolinaed Sam PAtoh.


tYrom the Rochester Demecrai. March -
Yesterday afternoon there occurred ut
the falls OF the Genesee an accident which
probably stands without a parallel
shortly after / O'Clock yesterday after
noon heavy freight train, whose cars
were filled with Western cattle destined
to supply the butchers Of New York and
elsewhere, passed through the depot.
One car containing seventeen head Of
cattle was seen to bounce along In a very
Irregular manner. A rapid glance dis.
closed the fact that nauge OF one OF
ia wheels was broken Just as It passed
upon the bridge Il left the track and
b uudec along In startling way until II
reached the centre, when II broke down
the railing along the side and plunged
luto the water below. The car turned as
Il fell and lay upon its side 10 the stream.
Itshad been somewhat shattered but not
enough to allow the frightened animals TO
pass out. Parties who witnessed the
plunge Of the car and the wild acting Of
It's inmates say that II was q startling
scene. A party Of railroad men lowered
themselves to the car and wrecked II in
short time. The frightened animals then
crowded out into the stream.
The river at this point Is from three 10
four feet deep, the current ia very strong,
and the falls are only short distance
below. Some OF the animals were badly
bruised, several had been cut and were
bleeding. Two or three had their horns
broken. One poor thing loated helplessly
down the stream and over the falls, aud
Il is supposed that one OF Its legs had
heen broken by the accident. Besides
this one, four others tloated over the
preclpice aud were engulfod In the foam
ing waters below. The remaining twelve
were crowded together Just below the
bridge. DEPOT Master Knapp deeming
II best for the railroad company that the
cattle should be sold for whatever they
would bring, quickly announced his
determination TO dlspose Of them. The
entire seventeen were sold en- the
spot for $3.50. The purchasers were
MIR. Rhinehart and John O'Kane, Jr.
They procured a number of ropes and
attached one to each Of the cows. A con
sultaiion was held among those present,
aud II was finRlly determined TO drag each
animal to the east side of the river, where
the current is very strong, and let them
be carried over the falls, Il being we'll
known that II they went over al the east
side the whirlpool would throw the car
cass upon the shore, where 1t could be
easily secured.
Everything having been prepared, one
Of the cattle was led, by means of the
rope around its horns, along toward the
east shore, until the current caught aud
swept Il over the falls. It was indeed a
pitiiul sight to see the poor beast struggle
against the current In Its attempts to
avoid the fall, but II slipped and went
over. 1t had no strength to struggle
with, Ia fact, for Il had stood 10 cold
water until II had chilled its blood. Then
another and another was led along and
sent over until the last one passed from
sight.
Below tho falls strange sight pre-
scented itself. OF the first i've animals
which passed over, two escaped alive, the
carcasses Of the two others hoatod TO the
shore, while the other passed down the
stream. These drew a motley crowd "a
the place. As the twelve steers were
drawn into the current, they struggled
very hard to avoid their fat, but all Ia
no purpose. As they passed over the
preeiplce the eyes of the spectators could
be seen turned with a steady look upon
them, they were seen TO pass swiftly down
for about fifteen feet, and then were lost
TO view amid the surging torrent. The
cddies below were eagerly watched fOl
their temperance. IL there was "a siEu
of life In them when they came to the
surface below the fact was greeted with
cheers, the animal was then taken oui
and led away. If the carcass appeared
1t was dragn ashore, and quickly sub.
jecied to the butchers instruments. Oui
Of the seventeen. Ave alone were saved
the remainder having been killed by the
fall.
There were some curious incidents con
nected with the event which deserv,
mentien. Foremost among these wal
the action Of one noble animal, which
came out alive. lie struggled very hare
TO breast The curTtnt, but slipped aud wal
/ on the very edge OF the preclplce whel
he regaired his footing. He turned, auS
to the surprise of all, forced his way nj
against the stream. When turning arount
at the brink, his hind leg was seen TO fal
over, but the great strong fellow made al
Hort ard succeeded, while the croRa
around cheersd him Justify. When h
} had gone upward about fifteen feet b,
again slipped and was carried back u
the edge. He stood there In bold relic
for some time, noble-looking, larg
! animal. Every movement was Watche,
= ! viva AANAt"N AhhNsNaN y AtAN NANhkNltc
crowd, above, around, aud below him
} When he turned his head from side TO I'D
D and Ra1ed on the waters that roare
, around and the gulf that yawned belo,
him there was murmur of sympathy /
/ in the Immense crowd. He made one o
two strong Efforts 10 turn and again iigl
e the current, but seemed too near the edp
To get around without beiug swept ovci
He stood few minutes with his hea
S erect ind gazing down at the valley belo
{ him. Then there was sad looking
= slow shaking Of the head, as though
recognized the fact that be must fal
Z lie made one step, and in moment MOI
s was seen in the rapid torrent. Thousand
a OF eyes turned upon the water below, el
i pectiug to see him float out a dead bod
- for he had gone down head first 10 u
f rocks below. But no such fate was hi
y In a moment that thick head was seen I
g shoot up through whiting water, and Il
n bull moved rapidly shoreward. The
G there rose wild cry Of applause thu
Il rung and echoed down the rocky banl
g as II never did before. AS the oulsit
10 men Of crowd caught sight Of him, Il
}, ready finger pointed hun out, up can
y the cry, "TheTe he Ia :" and up went u
cheers, which always ring out loud al
clear upon the performance of great feat
The brave fellow climbed the bank an
Il went oil among the rocks in way thl