, 1875-09-11
The NIAGARA FALLS.
A young Lady and Gentleman Swept into
the River while Bsthing near the Gave
of the Winds.

Young Lady anu eehhchHn ~neISi ihto
the River while Bsfhing near the Gave
of the Winds.
From the Niagara Falls Register.l
The saddest accident that has occurred for
years in this vicinity happened lately near
the Cave of the Winds, resulting in the death
of young lady snd gentleman of Niagara
Falls, widely known aud generally esteemed
by our citizens.
A party consisting of Ethelbert Parsons
ard Miss Lottie C. Philpott, William 4.
PhilpOtt, Jr.. and wife, Miss Hattie Fields,
of Buffalo, and Chas H. Philpott started for
the Cave of the Winds about five o'clock in
the afternoon. They chose this hour because
at ho hour of the day can the rainbow be
seen in such perfection. Arrived at the cave,
they were advised by Mr.. Wright, the Jesse
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 proffered as
sistance, and started down the Biddle Stair
way for the cave. They followed the usual
pathway until they reached the extreme
eastern end of the railing, when they clam
bered out upon the rocks Immediately in
front of the cave. William Philpott and his
wife seated themselves on the rocks, while
the others ventured cut still farther and de-
scended to the stream which flows down over
the rock, 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
5revices with great force.
Finally, Miss Lottie went still further
down toward the river and entered the eddy,
which, however, was partially protected by
encircling bOulders. Here she played In the
water, which at this place affords an excel
lent current bath and was soon Joined by her
three other friends. Mr.. Parsons entered the
water with her, and while he was getting a
foothold, that he might ghard 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 cnr-
rent, which bore them down about thirty
feet toward the river. Those or the rocks
report that Miss Lottie was next seen stand
ing up in the water aud leaning against a
large rock.
They were now in a powerful current, and
both seemed to be making endeayors TO save
oae another. Her position was the most pre-
carious, since the slightest movement, either
way, would expose her TO the full fury of the
water, and once fairly in the power ct the
current all hopes 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 bat
lied with the current with thgt strength
which despair alone can give, they were
both swept from their vantage ground on the
rock, and whirled into the maddening flood
below. Twice they were seen TO disagpear
below the surface.
Parsons made heroic endeayOrs to rcl5h
: 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 ef
F forts were of no avail; the fatal current sep
arated theru, and Miss Lottie, deprived of the
strong protecting arm that had before upheld
her, disappeared with hands raised despair
{ ingly above her head.
Mr.. Parsons must have seen her 20 under
/ the water, but he still made brave efforts tC
preserve his own life From the shore h,
was seen struggling in an aimless way Il
keep his head above the water. 4 ;hicl
cloud of spray intervened for moment be
tween the drowning man and the friend
who were powerless to lend him aid, anC
when it disappeared, Parsons was gone. anC
the cruel river swept on as though this TRACE
dy had not been.
Such casualty would be sad IN any case
il is rendered dOubly so when the victims ar
both residents of the town-young Peop'
who have grown up TO womanhoOd and man
hood among cur citizens. Mr.. Parsons wa
the son OF the late HoratiO a. Parsons, aDt
Was young gentleman Of fne promise ant
more than average utility. Miss Lottie c
Philpott was the only daughter Of William
A Philpott, an old and highly respected citi
Zen Of Niagara Falls. She was t%eaty-hv
wears of age, and was widely known for tn
beauty of her person, and character TIL
sar. tbat she was soon 70 be led to the alta
bv the man who went TO his death with her
invests her untimely fate with an almos
weird romantic interest.
: p,,,r, kI-v-r tCTTOS-A NeW HamD