Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-05-30
OVER THE FALLS.
Terrible scene at NIagHra-A Famous
Guide Caught In the Rapids and
swept Over the Cataract.
snecial to the Cincinnati ENQUIRER. !

Special TO the C1nclnnau EnQulrer.J
BUFFALO, N. Y, May 25.-Niagara Falls
was the scene of another tragic death this
afternoon. Pie Walker was the man who
furnished the details OF the tragedy. Alter
successfully wrestling with the eddies and
currents and the rocks and rapids of the river
for years, and saving a score or more OF
persons from watery graves, he, to-day,
was swept over the American cata-
ract in the presence of a large crowd
of exeursionlsts, who were scattered about,
little suspeeting the awful spectacle which
they were so suddenly called upon to witness.
The primary cause of Walkers death was
drunkenness. He had lip for liquor, which
frequently got the better of him. Where he
lmbibed to-day is not known; but about two
o'clock he was observed to leave Port Day,
about two miles above the head of Goat
island, badly intoxicated. 1t is believed he
pulled over to one of the islands, where he
discussed the contents of keg of beer with
some companions. 1t is then supposed he
attempted to reach Goat Island or to return
to Port Day. To row boat to Goat Island
is very dangerous and foolhardy trick, but
one many times accomplished by Walker.
He would row for small purse on wager,
or even to crafty the curiosity of tourists.
| Whatever his calculations, he miscalculated
his powers and was caught In the Trap rap
| ids lust above Goat Island, and it was at this
point that the Mortified spectators first caught
| sight of him as he came down the river. A
man on the bank shouted to row into the
sluice-way, near the Cataract house, and ne
| tried to do so, but caught a CRAB, lost
his balance, and fell backward into the boat,
| where he lay stupe6ed with intoxcation.
| The liberated oar drifted away from
| the boat, and the light sklf was caught
in the swift current, and carried down until
1t reached point about half way between
| the head of the island and the Cataract
L |. q nd
swung around for several seconds. The
situation at this time was one of extreme
horror and the spectators looked on with
bated breath and beating hearts, The boat
then jumped upon It's terrible Journey, rid
ing upon the crest of the water, then struck
! half-sunken rock aud parted in twain,
spilling the occupant into the boiling rapids.
The spectators on the shore at Goat Island
and the bridge, not less than four hundred
of whom were spectators OF this awful
catastrophe, saw the man rise above
the surface of water, throw up his hands
once, and then his body was caught In the
| restless underhow, and was swept from sight
forever The ferrymen below the falls were
notified, and, rowing near the cataract, made
search for the body, but nothing was found
but his hat, badly cut by the rocks, an oal
injured, and the pieces of his boat. The lat
ter were eagerly sought by curiosity hunters
as souvenirs of the terrible accident. The
victim was well known at the falls. de
was boathouse-keeper, and was a wild
harum- scarum and dissipated fellow. He
cared nothing for any Of the dangers o.
the river, aad laughed to scorn the very
idea of fear. He was credited with being 6
regular outlaw and smuggler, and when II
danger from the law, he would seek one Of
the smaller islands, and remain until the
storm against him blew over. He made muct
) trouble for his neighbors by his vindictive-
ness and revengeful spirit. His redeemlnf
feature was his proficiency in saving human
life, the result of his desperate daring. III
was thirty years Of age, and leav-s wife
| and two children.