New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-06-09
The Hero of Niagara.
The following is from the Buffalo

The following is from the Buffalo CON-
mercial Adrertiser of June 2:
Many of our readers will recolIect the
prominence given certain guide of Niagara
Falls BY Professor Tyndall, after his return
home, in describing his explorations behind
the falling waters. That this guides heroic
deed was not Overrated We have ample evil
dence from his courage exhibited yesterday
in rescuing William Mccullough from a
Iwatery grave.
About ll:3O A. NJ. yesterday the citizens
of Niagara were shocked by the report that
a 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 chasms between the
three islands known as the Sister Islands.
In descending a short ladder to narrow
scatfold 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 Curtis,
q photographer, who was arranging his
camera 80 take q view of the bridge with
the painter in his perilous position, heard a
cry, and Immediately crossed to Goat Is-
land and ran toward Tefrapin Tower,
thinking he might possibly approach near
enough the shore to receive what he sup
posed would be corpse after going through
the turbulent rapids.
The unfOl tunate man rolled over and
over until he reached deep place few
rods below the bridge, when he disappeared,
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 q
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. Bsing not far
from the shore. Mr.. Curtis asked if he was
hurt, and received the reply that he was
dispatched to the paper-mill for ropes, and
in few minutes nearly the whole village
was running toward the scens.
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 evil
dent that his fragile form could not with
stand the fierce current, and be came
ashore.
About this time Thomas Conroy, a guide
ar the Cave of the Wilds, appeared on the
scene, and Immediately volunteered to
bring Mr.. Mccullough ashore. Taking the
rope in his hand, COnrOy started toward
the isolated painter, but the force of the
current against the rope and himself 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 tenaciOus!y held during his
rapid descent, and many were atrai d
he would become chilled through,
after the rescue. Mr.. ConrOy now ascended
the river few rods and again started out
alone, and succeeded in reaching the unfor-
tunate man. Tying che rope around
McCullough's breast, and winding the end
twice about his own hand, the two started
ashore. They had only gone few steps
when the swift 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 hundreds who lined
the banks. Both persons were nearly SUIT
fOcated, but soon recovered. Cheer after
cheer went up for Conroy, "ths hero Of
Niagara"
A gentleman and lady who were stopping
at one of the hotels Immediately handed
him $l5, and in very short time the
amount was raised to something over $780,
Mr.. Mccullough is aged about sixty
years, and a man very highly respected by
all who know him. Although this shock to
his nervous system is considerable, his per-
sonal 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-
iough's Rock" On reaching it, Conroy re-
auested the gift of the putty knife as a
souvenir Of the occasion, but, very much to
his regret. lost it before getting ashore.