Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1875-08-21
A Niagara Falls Horror.


A Niagara Falls Horror.
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a party, consisting Of Mr.. Ethel.
bert Parsons aud Miss. Lottic G.
Philpott, Mr.. william A. Philpott,
Jc., and wife, Miss Hattie Fields of
Buffalo, and Mr.. Chas. II. Philpott,
started for the Cave of the Winds,
about 8 o'clock. They chose this
time because at no hour OF the day
Ga the rainbow be seen in such
perfection. Arriving at the cave
they were advised by Mr.. Wright,
the lessee of the cave, to take q
guide, but as they were all familiar
with the place, and had made re.
paated trips through the cave in
former years, they declined the prof
cred assistance, and started down
the Biddle Stairway. They follow.
ed the usual pathway until they
reached the extreme eastern end of
the railing, when they clambcred
out upon the rocks Immediately In
front of the cave. William Philpott
and his wife seated themselves on
the rocks, while the other four ven
tured out still further, and descend.
ed to q stream which flows down
over the rocks, in front and 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 par
TALLY protected by encircling bould-
crs. Here she played in the water,
which at this place affords All ex.
cellent current bath, and was soon
rcjoined by her three other friends.
Mr.. Parsons entered the water
with her, and while he was getting
IA foothold, that he might guard
against any possible 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 tho rocks report that Miss
Lottie was next seen standing up ia
the water and leaning against .
large rock.
They were now in powerful cur.
rent, and both seemed to be making
endeavors to save one anoteer. 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 current all hopes of
escape would be ended. Mr.. Par.
sons. from his position, could have
easily save 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
which despair alone can give, they
both were swept from their vantage
ground on the rock, and whirled in.
to the madden food below. Twice
they were seen to disappear below
the surface.
BY this time they had been car.
ried we'll out into the river, and to
their agonized friends on shore they
to be standing on rocks,
about eight rods or 80 from the edge
of the river. To one unacquaihted
with the great depth of the river
and the tremendous force Of the un.
der current it seemed that they had
at last found place Of safety, and
might yet 0e rescued. But the
current was bearing
them rapidly down the river to the
death which was now inevitable.
Parsons made heroic en- deavors to
reach the shore with her for whom
he had risked his life. He was q
strong swimmer, and was seen
floating on his back supporting her,
and struggling against the current
All his efforts were of no avail the
fatal current separated them, and
NJ ISIS Lottie, deprived Of the strong
arm that had before up.
held her, dissappeard with hanGs
raised desparingly above her head.
Mr.. Parson must have seen her 60
under the water, but he still made
brave efforts to preserve his own
ife. From the shore he was strug.
cling in an aimless way to keep his
head above the water. A thick
cloud of spray interviewed for a mo.
ment between the drowning man
md his friends who were powerless