Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-08-16

THE NIAGARA FALLS HORROR.

The Niagara Fails Register gives the follow
ing particulars Of sad affair, heretofore re-
ported by telegraph:
A party, consisting of Mr.. Ehelbert Parsons
and Miss Lottic 9. Philpott, Mr.. William A.
Phipott, jr., and wife, Miss Hattie Fields, of
Buffalo, and Mr.. Charles II. Philpott, started
for the Cave OF the Winds about 5. o'clock.
They chose this time because at no hour of Che
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 guide,
but as they were all thoroughly familiar. with:
the place, and had made repeated trips through
the cave in former years, they declined the
profered assistance, and started down the Bid
die stairway They followed the usual path
way uDtil-they reached the extreme eastern end
OF the railing, when they clambered out upon
the rocks Immediately in front of the cave
VIM. Philpott and bis wife seated themselves
on the rocks, while the other four veutured out
still further, and descended to stream which
flows down over the rocks 10 front and little
to the right of the cave. Here they remained
tor. some tlme, amusing themselves In the wa
ter which brawls over the rocks and ruskes
through the crcvces with great force Finally
Miss LOttle went still further down the river
and entered an eddy, which, however, was par
TALLY protected by encireiing boulders Here
she played in the water, which at this place af.
tords an excellent current bath, and was soon
rrjoined by her three other friends. Mr.. Par
SOUS entered the water with her, and while he
was getting fOothold that he might guard
against any possible. accident, she slipped. He
had hold OF her hands and as she tell he caught
her, and together they We're swept into the cur
rent, 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 We're now IN a powerful current, and both
seemed to be making endeagors to save one
another. Her poslion was the more pre-
carious, since the slightest movement either
way would expose her to the full fury Of the
water, and once fairly in the full power of
the current all hope OF escape would be GUIDED.
Mr. Parsons, from his position, could have cas-
lily saved himsef, but thinking that he could
rescue her, be seized her aud tried to reach the
rock above them. Though he battled with the
raging current with that strength which despair
aluue can give, they both were swept from their
vautagc ground on the rock and whired into
the>maddening flood below. Twice they were
seen to disappear below the surface. BY this
time they had been carried we'll 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 tho river. To
one acquainted with the great depth of the
river, and the tremendous force Of the under
current, 1t seemed that they had ut last found
place OF safety, and might yet be rescued
But the treacherOus current was bearing them
rapidly down the river to the death which was
now inevitable. Parsons made heroic endeav-
ors to reach the shore with her for whom he
had risked his life He was strong swimmer,
aud 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 Miss Lottie. deprived of
the strong protecting arm that had before up
held her, disappeared with hands raised des-
paringly above her head Mr.. Parsons must
have seen her 20 under the water, but he still
made brave efforts to preserve bis own life.
From the shore he was seen struggling in an
aim less way to keep his head above the water.
A thick cloud Of spray interviewed for mo-
meut between the drowning man and the
trends 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, The spot where they were last
seen is about one-third the distance from the
cave to the American falls. Miss Phipott was
. twenty-five years Of age, and the only daughter
OF VIM. Philpott, an old and highly respected
resident of the Falls. Ethelbe1t Parsons, who
lost his own life in the heroic attempt to save
that OF his companion, was twenty nine years
OF age, and the son Of Horatio A. Parsons, of
La Sale. ,.ss, t..l (. .>..