The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1876-12-28

We followed the bank of the river
until we reached coppice of juniper
that thrives wherever the refreshing
spray falls, and, passing through this,
found ourselves standing on Lookout
Point, directly over the river where it
plunges downward; and from this spot
we had magnificent view of the falls,
as we could gaze directly down upon
them, they being only four feet below
US. Glancing UP the stream, we could
see that its sinuous course for half a
mile was one mass of screaming rap
ids and small cataracts, which were
numerously dotted with barren crags
and fower-clad islets of many forms.
By counting the larger leaps, we made
out eight good falls within an area of
two hundred yards, which averaged
from six to twenty feet in height; and
no two were alike in outline. Close
to the shore the water formed deep
lanes or canals of bubbling cascades
through the rocks, and their gentle
ness contrasted strongly with the tur-
bulence adjoining them. As these
varied and diverging bodies ap-
preached the precipice they swung to-
gether to produce the Grand Falls,
which are excelled only by Niagara
and the Falls of the Missouri in volume,
while they outrank all in diversity of
form and contrast Of surroundings.
Massive in power and vigorous
in action; warm in color, yet
environed by gloom; picturesque
in immediate accessories, yet encOm-
passed by savage grandeur-they
possess all the elements that make
such scenes attractive to the lover of
the beautiful. Their very situation in
the midst of a deSolate artemisian
plain, and hemmed in by canyons whose
dreary depths are impenetrable to the
sunlight for many months in the year,
adds to their interest and enhances
their impressive magnificence. The
main falls are estimated by those
dwelling in their vicinity to be 220
feet in height; but this is probably be-
yond the bounds, though, judging from
appearance, not much. They have a
width of 300 yards by following the
curve of their outline. but in a straight
line they will not much exceed 200.
They are of an irregular cOnCaVe
shape, somewhat like areyersed cres-
cent; but during the spring freshets
they assume a convex form, owing to
the increased volume and velocity of
the water. The pretty park, with its
luXuriant grasses, flowers and cop
piceS Of jumpers, gives a sOftneSS and
color to the falls that are agreeably ap-
preciated by the eye, as they impart
the picturesque element so much
needed; but on the opposite side the
dark and towering terraces of trap,
with the inevitable accompaniment of
a heavy talus, loom up against the
sky in black masses, and convey the
most impressive idea of gloom
and rugged wildness. While the falls
are grand from every point Of view,
it is only at their base that one can
fully appreciate them, and | found the
attempt to reach that position a most
hazardous one, as | had to descend the
sheer face of the powders, and in
several instances l could only find d
light hold for my finger tips and the
toes of one foot. Had a bit of the
rocks given way, | must have been
dashed to pieces on the crags below
1t was only by bracing every nerve
and firmly clinching the teeth that
was enabled to make the descent; but
| confess that even then knee Occa
sionally trembled, despite my utmost
effort to be brave. After a tollsomt
struggle I reached a PROSTATE tree that
lay against the bluff at a convenient
angle, and this led me into a ravlnt
which was covered with stqnted juni
pers, briers and a large, wiry grass
This even was so steep that it was onl!
by leaning well back and falling agains
trees that l was prevented from being
shot downward into the river by m!
own momentum. BY clambering owe,
powders, vaulting fallen trees ant
making bridges of prostrate, water
polished trunks, 1 was enabled to ge
within forty feet of the falls; but fur
ther progress was checked by tn
smooth and perpendicular crags.
Selecting a messy bank covered will
long, dank, and prostrate grass,
threw myself upon it, and for tw'
hours gazed upon the stirring vista be
fore me in sort of half-dreamy mood
for it was too overpowering to ALLOW
the faculties to expand into full action
The longer I looked the more desired
to, for was fairly captivated by tn
grand yet weird beauty that surrounde
me. The water, in overlapping, SWEEP
ing waves of white, and with vibrat
ing sound that resembled that produce
by many mills in motion, thundere
steadily downward, and develope
splendid rainbows that extended ia
above the falls and spanned the stream
while heavy showers of vapory spra
slowly upward rose to height of 80
feet, then lazily floated away in cloud
Of darkish gray.-Appleton's Jo't17ld
for January.