The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-08-27

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| aud a BrGuc Nan Dro,rHed.
From the Niagara Falls Register.
A party, consisting of Mr.. Ethelbert
Parsons and Miss Lottie @. Philpott,
Mr.. William A. Pbilpott, Jr., and wife,
Miss Hattie Fields, CT Buffalo, and Mr..
Chas. II. Philpott, started for the Cave
of the Winds, about five o'clock. They
chose this time of day because at no
hour of the day can the rainbow be seen
in such perfection. Arrived at the cave,
they were advised by Mr.. Wright, the
lessee of the cave, to take a guide, but
as they were all thoroughly familiar
with the place, aud had made repeated
trips through the cave in former years,
they declined the proffered assistance,
and started down the Biddle stairway.
They followed the usual pathway until
they reached the extreme eastern end of
the railing, when they olambered out
upon the rocks Immediately in front Of
the cave. William Philpott and his
wife seated themselves on the rocks,
while the other four ventured out still
further, and descended to a stream
which flows down over the rocks, in
front and a little to the right of the
cave. Here they remained for some
time, amusing themselves in the water,
which brawls over the rocks and rush5s
through the crevices with great force.
Finally Miss Lottie went still further |
down the river and entered an eddy, !
which, however, was partially protected |
by encircling boulders. Here she played |
in the water, which at this place affords |
an excellent current bath, and was soon |
rejoined by her three other friends. |
Mr.. Parsons entered the wlters with |
her, and while he was getting foothold, |
that he might guard against any pos
sible accident, she slipped. He had
hold of her hand, and, as she fell, he
caught her, and together they were
swept into the current, which bore them
down about thirty feet toward the river.
Those on the rocks report that Miss
Lottie was next seen standing up in the
water and leaning against large rock.
They were now in powerful current,
and both seemed to be making endeav-
ors to save one another. Her position
was the more precarious, since the
slightest movement, either way, would
expose her to the full fury Of the water,
and once fairly in the power of the cur
rent all hope of escape would be ended.
Mr.. Parsons, from his position, could
have easily saved himself, but thinking
that he could rescue her, he seized her
and tried to reach the rock above them.
Though he battled with the current
with that strength whicn despair alone
can give, they both were swept from
their vantage ground on the rock, and
whirled into the maddening food below.
Twice they we're seen to disappear be.
low the surface.
haI ID /
well out into the river, and TO their
agonized friends on shore they Appeared
to be standing on rocks, about eight
rods or so from the edge of the river.
To one unacquainted with the great
depth of the river and the tremendous
force of the under current, it seemed
that they had at last found place of
safety, and might yet be rescned. But |
the treacherous current was bearing |
them rapidly down the river TO the
death which was now inevitable. Par
sons made heroic endeavors to reach the |
shore with her for whom he had risked
his life. He was a strong swimmer, and
was seen floating on his back, support
ing her, and struggling against the cur
rent. All his efforts were of no avail I;
the fatal current separated them, and
Miss Lottie, deprived of the strong pro-
,ecting arm that had before upheld her,
with hands raised despair
ngly above her head. Mr.. Parsons
must have seen her go under the water,
out he still made brave efforts to pre-
serve his own life. From tie shore he I
vas seen struggling in an aimless way to .
Keep his had above the water. A thick !
cloud of spray interyened for moment !
the drowning man and the 9
friends who we're powerless to lend him !
lid, and when it disappeared, Parsons I
vas gone, and the cruel river swept on ]
Is though this tragedy had not been. z
The spot where they we're last seen is l
lbout one third the distance from the z
Cave to the American Falls. 9
Miss Philpott was 25 years of age, c
md the only daughter of Mr.. William q
an old and highly respc cted ;
.esident of the Falls. Ethelbert Par |
IONS, who lost his own life in the heroic l
Gttempt to save that of his con panion, Q
vas 30 years of age, and son of Horatio !
\. Parsons, Esq, of LaSalle. q
At last accounts the bodies had not ]
)een recovered. c