Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1876-03-03


upon the lakes, hit upon q novel ex-
pedient for disposing of her. The
vessel had become old and rotten,
aud was no longer serviceable. In
stead of loading and sending her
out late in the season heavily insnr-
edlto be wrecked, he chose a. more
harmless plan, hut not one less prot
liable to himself. He induced the
proprietors of the hotels at Niagara
Falls to buy the vessel and send her
over the fails. 81
This was about the year 1880, The
proposition was eagerly accepted by
the hotel pFoprietors, who saE IN it
a capital advertising scheme, and
one which would be certain TO pay
them well. The affair was widely.
published in the newspapers aud was
the talk of the surrounding country
for weeks aud weeks. They did not
count amiss when they judged what
an excited public curiosity would do ]
For several days previous 10 the
great event the stages and canal
boats were crowded. People flock
ed thither from all parts of the eoun-
try to witness the novel spectacle of
the largest vessel on the lakes going
over the fall. The hotel keepers
reaped a rich harvest. So great
crowd had never before been seeniat
that famous resort. On the appoint
ed day the Miehigan was towed iIi-
to the rapids in the presence of
vast number OF people who lined the
banks OF visited the scene upon the
numerous excursion boats which
were called into requisitions The
task of towing the vessel iato the
current was entrusted 10 Captain
Rough, with 8 crew of half dozen
oarsmen selected byehimself. This
was rather a hazardous enterprise,
and Capt Pratt, who was himself
one of the crew, says his heart al
most failed him when they set out,
though he had gladly volunteered
for the service. fet S sss.ss -sa' z
I There had been placed on the
schooner several animals, IN accord-
anee with the programme, which had
been widely advertised. They con-
sisted of buffalo, three bears, two
foxes, a raccoon, dog, cat and
some geese. At her bowsprit was
the American ensign, and at her
stern the English Jack; the Cana-
dian hotelkeepers having joined the
enterprise. There were also some eff
fgies displayed on board to give the
appearance of a crew, and to make
mere real the scene ofzavessel with
all on board, makingsthe terrific
plunge. Just before the toY-line
was cut the animals on board were
turned loose. Just before the vessel
entered the rapids two of the bears
Jumped overheard and actually sac-
ceeded in swimming ashore. The
third one climbed the mast as if to
get a better view of the scene. All
the animals seemed greatly trightenr
ed, and ran from one end of the deck
to the other, much the same as ashuz
man crew might have done under
similar circumstances, in an agony
of despair. The vessel swept grand
ly down the rapids, plnnging over
the first fall, shipping q little water,
righting herself and moving on in
fine style. In gong over the second
rapid the mast went by the board /
and the bear with. it, and neither
were seen again. She swung around
and presented her broadside to the.
foaming waters. She had evidently |
struck rock and was stationary
Here it was thought her career was
ended and the affair was over. But
she stopped only a moment. The
force Of the waters swung her
around and she moved on stern fore
most, On the third rapid she bilged,
but carried her huh apparently
whole straight to the horseshoe |
fall, over which she plunged stern
foremost to the foaniing abyss be-
low. She was smashed into a thou
sand fragments. None of the beasts
on board were ever heard of more,
but the geese turned up all right,
and were soon seen on the bank be-
low quietly oiling their feathers as
if it had not been much Of a ashoweT
after ALL One of the efigies was al
SO found uninjured, throwing his
arms about and knocking hiso knees
together in the eddies; but all the
Others had Disappeared The scene
was a most thrilling one. The great
crowd of spectators watched the
progress of the vesseh with .sbreatht
less interest, and gave great cheer.
as she made the fatal plunge. tsd /
Detroit Post. ii