The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1875-08-19
Accident at Niagara J Falls.

One of the most deplorable Of the many
accidents Of which the Falls of Niagara
have been the scene. took place Monday
afternoon, and has been briefly referred
to in the kilograms. The particulars OF
the Niagara Falls Register, are as follows:
A party consisting Of Mr.. Ethelbert Par
sons and Miss l-ottie c. Philpott, Mr.. Viii
tie Fields, Of Buffalo, and Mr. Charles H.
Philpott started for the Cave in the Winds,
about O'Clock. They chose this time be-
cause at no other hour of The day can the
rainbow be seen in such periection As
they were all thoroughly familiar with
the place, and had made repeated trips
through the cave in former years, they
declined a guide and started down the
Biddle Stairway. They followed the usual
pathway until they reached the extreme
eastern end of the railing, when they
clambered out upon the rocks Immediate
ly in front Of the cave. William Phllpott
and his vile seated themselves on the
rocks, while the other four Venturei out
still further, and descended to a stream
which tloWs 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 rushes 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 reioined by her three
other friends. Mr. Parsons entered the
water with her, and while he was getting
a toothold, that he might guard against
any possible accident, she slipped He
had mold 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 II large rock. They We're
now in powerful current and seemed to
be making endeayors tC 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 current 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 hattled with the current with
the strength despair alone can give, they
both We're swept from their vantage ground
on the rock, and whirled into the madden
ing flood below. Twice they disappeared
below the surface. BY this time they had
been carried well out into the river, and
to their agonzed friends on shore they
appeared to be standing on rocks, about
eight rods OF 50 from the edge of the river
To one unacquainted with the great depth
of the river and the tremendous force of
the under-curent, it seemed that they had
at last found a place of safety, and might
yet be rescued But the treacherous cur
rent was bearing them rapidly down the
river to the death which was now neyi-
table. All his efforts were of no avail the
fatal current separated them, and Miss
Lottie, deprived of the strong protecting
arm that before upheld her, disappeared
with hands raised despairingly above her
head. Mr.. Parsons must have seen her 90
| under water, but he still made brave et-
forts to preserve his own lite. From the
shore he was seen struggling in an aim
less way to keep his head above the wa
ter. A thick cloud Of spray interviewed
tor moment between the drowning man
and the friends who were powerless to
lend him aid, and when it disappeared
Parsons was gone, and the cruel river
swept on as though this tragedy had not
been. A spectator perchad above on Lu-
ma Island stated that nog more than five
minutes elapsed from the time they were
swept into the river and the moment when
they finally disappeared beneath the wa
tiers. The spot where they were last seen
is about one-third the way across, and d.
rectly in front of the American falls. Miss
Philpot was twenty-five years of age, and
the only daughter of MI William Philpot,
an old and highly-respected resident of
the Falls. She was respected by all that
knew her for her many estimable qualities
Her terribly sad and sudden death has
cast gloom over the community in which
she lived. Ethelbert Parsons was twenty
nine years of age, and the son of Horatio
A. Parsons, Esq, of La Sale. He possess
ed character above reproach, and he al
SO will be long and deeply incurred by
his many friends.