The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-09
NIAGARA'S BRIDGE MELTING
CRASHING AND DISSOLVING UNDER
THE R1TS or 4 MARCH SUM-

Crossing Under Dimcuiue. a Inmp,,ghters
Reckless Hide, Followed by n Daring Hoy
The IittIe Cabin that saloon Keeper
Uuiit on the lee water $50 Feet Deep.
NIAGARA FALLS, March S-Thero wero
rumors yesterday in the western part OF the
State that the ice bridge below tho falls was
breaking away. and that the ice from Lake Erie
and Niagara River was tumbling over the cata-
ract in great masses. correspondent for The
Sun visited the falls. lie discovered that al
though the ice had broken away for few feet
on the American side. just below the ice hill. the
immense cakes and foes that composed tho ice
bridge were so firmly wedged in the narrow
passage OF rock half mile below. that they
formed a mass under and above the water from
n few inches in thickness at the extreme edge
for n short distance from the falls to sixty feet
in many places.
Stepping over two narrow plnnks laid on the
floating cakes at the edge, the correspondent.
with three other travellers. started to cross the
river. The mild weather of the past few days
had made the surface leo soft and sloppy. A
loot and ankle occasionally disappearing In n
crcvice that opened into little hidden caves
caused an occasional exhilaratng sensation Of
possible danger. In places tho pathway was
level for n hundred feet or so then we would
have TO climb narrow ridges, thirty feet high.
winding in all directions. When about two
thirds OF the way over we came to spot where
the ice was moving up and down a few inches
with alarming strcaks Of dark blue water be-
tween. On looking toward the Canada shore
we observed a man JERK his arms yigOr-
ously. indicating that we should turn to the left
ana 90 nearer to the falls. We followed his di-
rections and reached him. after stumbling over
a narrow. crooked ridge for thirty rods. The
man had n little cabin scOOpcd ia the ice. with
an tmurovised bar on u pine board.
. :. Here's your loyely Canada rye, he shouted.
~ better than Yankee corn. whskey."
Have you any rye and rock = .
g Yes. barrels Of rye and plenty Of rock"
pointing to the 200 foot walls Of the Niagara.
Mix 'em to suit yourself"
Was there any danger back therc?'
You'd thought 50 II y9u slipped in. The
" How about that man who rode his horse up
the Ice hill under the American Falls y
" Thm was Lanplighter Wallace The news
papers printed n big story about the great
eGurstrian. as they called him. and his spirited
nn2rSe. The truth i was q cob Of horse
wallace i dire,devil. but his horse is care
anywheros he directs while he Is on his back
Wallace lights tho lamps along the bank while
on horscback. Sometimes he rides 50 close TO
the edge that the old nag looks over One day
Wallace said no could ridc to tho top OF
The ice on his back. Mr. Curtis, the
$50 If he would ride up and stay. there
as4scd Sns G9oRS o 10 e sea Snrp psRgfg sR1fS MaaG @
on the old cobs shQes. Then h. tlied himself
with Canada rye. came down that long hill on
lillN slilN Nl u tpfetl tNt flQNfil VIA iul
ilew across the river over the rough ice; tell
| you. he was drunk. though. He bounded on up
the hill without stop; As he reached the sum
| enough to urge the horse 10 place his fore feet
| over the top Of the hill. The brute came down
on his knees and the man fell forward on his
mock. Tho photographerturned pale. and we
| all held our breath. for we thought the horse
| below the fall. The pinnacle was rounded of
| like the top OF n Derby hat Wallace rcgaincd
| his seat on the horses back. and pulled him to
IA foot f....lsf .tuFft
then Wallace ana his old pug came pluneing g
| down the Iceberg"
I, Was the feat ever accomplished before ?"
mcbfs Ba5 Sama sanI9 Stole f9s borss out
Of tie stable 9r"ssed ', tho river from Canada on
| his back. and rode IN tho hill. Tho horse was
smoothly shod. nnd when he reached the ton he
stood there trembling and slipping. lot ot
boys knew the young rascal was going TO mount
the hin; rney had put on. ice creepcrs. and
the boys took firm hold Of the nag s tail. an
| other took hold Of the boy and SO on. until q
holding back. II made a funny picture. Here's
a photograph Of 1.-two for quarter. a dollar a
" How long will this bridge stand?"
| cant say. I've crossed the Ice here rs late
| rs May 10. some years ago II was thawing up
| aS 70 .s now. NcNt morning the river WIS clear.
| Good afternoon was the reply. as we passed
| on 60 the Canada shore.
| We rrcrossrd the river without mishap. and
| climbed ny irrh"tg wth the aid - pair ot
| cree y RS. II was peerless Jay for March. The
| sun shone bright and warm. Three great pyra-
| mli- ul lee loumrd ui between thn shores one
on each side of thr American fall and the other
| on the fur side ol Goat Island. under
| Horseshoe Falls. They We're all moro than n
| hundred feet hl-h and glis,rncd with an Alpine
| whitrnrss caused 10y the spray constantly fall
| ing upon them. Large assures on the sides
| nearest tho fAlls showed that they w,re crum-
| bling 10 pieces. The sun wns blazing on huge
! icicles attached to the rocks high up ON the
! banks. Occasionally one would fall with a crash
! which sounded sharp AMI clear through the
| dratcuing roar ol the mighty fail OF wuters.
! An cutrrurisug artist was taking dlssOlving
yI"Na OF u memorable winter picture in the sun
| lrlf