The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-03-05
OVER TIRE GENEsEE FALLS.
cattle Driven over n Precipice.

Sunday afternoon there occurred at the
falls of the Genesce, Rochester, n. y, an
incident which probably stands without
parallel Shortly after 1 o'clock in the
afternoon a heavy freight train, whose cars
were filed with western cattle, destined to
supply the butchers of New York and else
where, passed through the depot. One car
containing seventeen head of cattle was
seen to bounce along in very irregular
manner. A rapid glance disclosed the
fact that flange Of one of its wheels was
broken. Just as Il passed upon the bridge
II left the track aud bounded along in
startling way until it reached the centre,
when ii broke down the railing along
the side and plunged into the water below.
The car turned as it felt and lay upon its
side in the stream. It had been somewhat
shattered, but moi enough To allow the
frightened animals TO pass out. Parties
who witnessed the plunge of The clr aud
the wild acting of ls inmates say that it
was startling scene A party Of railroad
men lowered themselves 10 the car and
wrecked it in Il short time The irighen-
cd animals then crowded ont INTO the
stream.
The river at this point Is from lhicc to
four feet deep, the current i very strong,
and the falls are only sl:orl distance he
low. Some OF The animils were badly
bruised, several had been cut aud were
bleeding. Two OF three had their horns
broken One poor thing loated bepIessly
down the stream and over the falls, and it
is supposed thai one Of lis legs
had been broken by the accident
Besides this ono, four others float
ed over the precipice and were en-
quilted in the foaming waters below The
remaining twelve were crowded together
Just below the bridge. Dcpot-master
Knapp dceming il best for the railroad
company that the cattle should he sold for
whatever they would bring. quickly an
nounccd his determination 10 dispose of
them. The entire seventeen were sold on
the spot for $3.50. The purchasers were
Mr.. Rhnehart and John O'Brine, jr They
procured number Of ropes and attached
one to each of the COWS. y consultation
was held among those present, and j! was
finally determined 10 drag each animal TO
the east side of the river. where the cur
rent is very strong, aud let them he carried
over the falls. it being well known that if
they went over at the cast side the whirl-
pool would throw the carcass upon the
shore. where it 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 and swept
| it over the falls It was indeed pitiful
sight to see the poor beast struggle against
the current in its attempts 70 avoid the fall
but it slipped and went over 1t had no
strength to struggle with, in fact, for 1t had
stood in cold water until 1t had chilled its
| blood Then another and another was led
along and sent owe, until the last one passed
from sight.
! Below the falls strange sight presented
! itself. Of the first FIVE animals which
passed over, two escaped alive. the carcas-
SEES Of the two others floatcd to shore.
/ while the other passed down the stream.
| These drew Il motley crowd to the
| place. AS the twelve steers were drawn
into the current they struggled very hard
to avoid their fate, but all 20 no purpose.
As they passed over the precipice 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 were then lost to view amid the surg
| ing torrent. The cddies below were eager
ly watched for thcrreappearancc. 1t there
was sign of life in them when they came
TO the surface below the fact was greeted
with cheers, the animal was then taken
out and led away. If the carcass appeared
it was drawn ashore, and quickly subjected
to the butchers instruments. Out of the
seventeen, five alone were saved, the re.
mainder having been killed by the fall.