The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-03-07
OVER THE GENEsEE FALLS.
Seventeen Cattle in the River---Men Drive
them over the BrInk--'A Bull that
Eelipsed Sam Patch.

From the Rochester Democrat March ,
esterday afternoon there occurred at
the falls of the Genesee an incident which
probably stands without parallel. Short
ly after | o'clock yesterday afternoon. Il
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 con
tanning seventeen head Of cattle was seen
20 bounce along in very irregular manner
\ rapid glance disclosed the fact that a
fiange OF one of its wheels were broken
just as it passed upon the bridge it left
the track and bounded along in startling
way until it reached the centre. when il
broke down the railing along the side and
plunged into the water below. The car
turned rs it fell and lay upon it, side inthe
stream. lt had been somewhat shattered
but not enough to allow the frightened an
imals to pass out. Parties who witnessed
the plunge Of the car and the wild acting
OF Its inmates say that it was a startling
scene. \ party Of railroad men lowered
themselves to the car and wrecked it in 4
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 is very strong.
and the falls are only u short distance be
low. Some Of the animals were badly
bruised, several had been cut and were
Two or three had their horns broken One
poor thing fioatcd helplessy down the
stream and over the falls. and it is suppos-
Ell that one OF its legs had been broken by
the accident. Besides this one. four 9th
ers tloated over the precipce aud were en-
quilted IN the ioanrug waters below. The
remaining twelve We're crowded torether
inst below the bridge. Depot master
Knapp deemine it best for the railroad
company that the cattle should be sold for
whatever they would bring, quickly an
nounced his determination 70 dispose of
them. The entire seventeen were sold ON
the spot for $3.50. The purchasers were
Mr.. Ii nehart and John O'Kane. Jr Tbev
procured a number Of ropes and attached
one TO each of the cows. 4 consultation
was he'd among those present, and il was
finally determined to drag each animal TO
the east side OF the river, where the cur
rent Is very strong and let them be car
rled over the falls, it being well known
that Il they went over at the east side the
Whirlpool would throw the carcass upon
the shore where it could DC easily secured.
Everything having been prepared, one
OF the cattle was led, by means of the rope
around its horns, along towards the east
shore, until the current caught and swept
1t over the falls. 1t was indeed a pitiful
sisht 10 see the poor beast struggle against
thS current III its attempts to avoid the
IAN, put IL shpped and went over. 1t had
no strength to struggle with, in fact. for If
had stood IN cold water until II had chilled
It's blood. Then another was led along
and sent over until the last one rasSod
from sight. p"'So"
Below the falls a strange sight nreson,
ed itself OF the first five animals which
passed over, two escaped alive. the ear
cases OF the two others foated to shore
while the other passed down the stream,
These drew motley crowd to the place.
As the twelve steers were drawn into the
current, they struggled very hard to avoid
their tate, but all to no purpose. As thew
passed over the precipice the ewes of the
spectators could be seen turned with a
steady look upon them, they were seen to
pass swiftly down for about fifteen foot
and then were lost to view amid tho snro
ing torrent. The eddes below were %
gerly watched for their temperance If
there was a sign of life in them when tba,,
came to the surface below the fact was
greeted with cheers, the animal was tben
taken out and led away. If the carca sS
appeared 1t was drawn ashore, and onicIIv