The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-03-26
Over the Genesee Falls.
seventeen Cattle In the River-Men Drive
mem over the Hrink-A Bullock that
EcIipsed Sam Patch,

seventeen Cattle In the Riyer-nrep Drive
mem over the Brtnk-A Bullock tina,
Eciipsed Sam Patch.
There occurred at the falls of the Gene.
see, says the Rochester. N. Y. Den,ocrat
an incident which probably stands
without a parallel. Shortly after 1
CLOCK In the afternoon, heavy
freight train, whose cars were filled
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 q very ir.
regular manner. A rapid glance dis.
closed the fact that O flange of one OF
It's wheels was broken. just as it pass.
ed upon the bridge it left the track and
bounced along in startling way until
1t reached the centre, when it broke
down the railing along the side and
plunged Into the water below. The cal
turned as it fell and lay upon its side
IN the stream. 1t had been somewhat
shattered, but not enough to allow the
frightened animals to pass out. Par.
ties who witnessed the plunge of the
car and the wild acting of it's inmates
say that it was O startling scene. A
party of railroad men lowered them.
selves to the car and wrecked il in a
snort tlme. The frightened animals
then crowded out into the stream,
The river at this point is from three
to four feet deep, the current is very
strong. and the animals were badly
bruised, several had been cut and were
bleeding. Two or three had their horns
broken. One poor thing foated hope
leasly down the stream and over the
falls. and it is supposed that one of its
legs had been broken by the accident.
Besides this one, four others floated
over the precipice and were engulfed in
| the foaming waters below. The re-
naming twelve were crowded together
Just below the bridge. Depot mas
ter Knapp deeming it best for the rail.
road company that the cattle should be
sold for whatever they would bring,
quickly announced his determination
to dispose of them. The entire seven.
teen were sold on the spot for $3.50.
The purchasers procured number of
ropes and attached one to each of the
COWS. A consultation was held among
those present, and it was finally deter
mined to draw each animal to the east
side of the river, where the current is
very strong, and let them be carried
over the falls, it being we'll known that
II they went over at the east side the
Whirlpool would throw the carcasses
upon the shore, where they 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 in
deed pitiful sight to see the poor
beast struggle against the current in its
attempts to avoid the fall, but it slip
ped and went over. 1t had no strength
to struggle with, in fact, for it had
stood IN cold water until it had chilled
Its blood. Then another and another
was led along and sent over until the
last one had passed from sight.
Below the falls strange sight pre-
sented itself. Of the first five animals
which passed over, two escaped alive.
the carcasses of the two others foated
to shore, while the other two passed
down the stream. These drew a motley
crowd to the place. As the twelve
steers were drawn into the current,
they struggled very hard to avoid their
fate, but all to no purpose. AS they
passed over the precipice, the eyes of
the spectators could be seen turned
with 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
eddles telow were eagerly watched for
their temperance. If there was a
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 in
struments. Out of the SEVENTEEN, five
alone We're saved, the remainder having
been killed by the fall.
There were some curious incidents
connected with the event which deserve
mention. Foremost among these was
the action of one noble animal. which
came out alive. He struggled very hard
to breast the current, but slipped and
was on the very edge of the precipice
when he regained his footing. He
turned, and to the surprise of all, forced
his way up against the stream. When
turning around at the brink, his hind
leg was seen to fall over, but the great
strong fellow made an effort and sue
ceeded, while the crowds around
cheered him Justify. When he had
gone upward about fifteen feet he again
slipped and was carried back to the
edge. He stood there in bold relief for
some time, O noble looking. large
animal.
When he turned his head from side
to side and gazed on The waters that
roared around, and the gull that yawned
below him there was murmur of SYM
pathy in the immense crowd. He
made one or two strong efforts to turn
and again fight the current, but seemed
too near the edge to get around with
out being swept over. He stood few
minutes with his head erect and gazing
down at the valley below him. Then
there was sad looking, slow shaking
of the head, as though he recognized
the fact that he must fall. He made
one step, and in moment more was
seen in the rapid torrent. Thousands
OF eyes turned upon the water below,
expecting to see him float out a dead
body, for he had gone down head first
to the rocks below. But no such fate
was his. In moment that thick head
was seen to shoot up through whirling
water, and the bull moved rapidly
shoreward. Then there rose a wild cry
OF applause that rung and echoed down
the rocky banks as it never did before.
AS the outside men of crowd caught
SlQlt of him the randu H,,nor nd