The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1879-06-05
SHOOTING NIAGARA.

Pypas walker fsnpssA Fate and the Fore
ef the Rapids O1es Too Ofssa. and was
swsps Over the Falls.
From he Bu6Alo xxprss, Nay ~
There we're many visitors at Niagara
Fails yesterday, both the Erie and Central
railroads opening the season with cheap
excursions from this city. The day was
cool. bright and beautiful, the heavy
showers of the afternoon in this cit hot
visiting that locality So the s6Aaracs
showed at its best. But an UNUSUAL In
teres. and excitement was provided tor
both the resident and temporary popnla-
ton BY one of those tragedies which seem
TO occur at almost regular periods. The
victim was Pypus Walker, and IT Is appa-
rant that his destruction may be prima-
rily traced to strong drink.
Walker had long been resident Of the
village, living with his wife and two
children in little house. partly stone and
wood. situated on the river bank and near
the entrance Of the mill-race. Following
| the occupation Of a boatman and fisher
man, he was credited with knowing. and
doubtless when in his sober senses did
know, every p; IT and current Of the river
thoroughly, In past seasons he had beel,
instrumental in saving several lives, We
were told. some Of them al a great per
sonal risk. but despite this record he was
not in very good odor in the neighbor-
hood. having penchant, As is charged,
for cutting other peoples boats admit that
they might be destroyed. He was famil'
iariy known rs "Py" Walker. and about
everybody in the neighborhood Of the
Falls knew him. IL Is reported that be
frequently engaged in smuggling opera
tons, but whether the charge BE- true OF
not we do not know, and whatever "Pys
shortcomings may have been he is nc
longer accountable TO earthly laws. FOL
the mighty cataract has swallowed him.
| The unfortunate man Is said 10 have
been IN a pronounced condition Of IN
ebrie.y Yesterday. About 2:3o o'clock he
declared his intention Of going out on
the river, and be did so, although hi,
family, approaching that he was not in ii
shape to take care Of himself. earnestly
sous ht to dissuade HIM from the venture
but he obstina.ely got into his tish;ng-Io
and pulled out upon the water. The 10
cality was very near the rapids, and one
| in which il Is difficult TO believe that mer
1 Win brAu- anu ctloAkNrs aims 'h6a
10 intrude. Walker was but few min
uies on. when he had the fatal mischanc,
TO lose an oar. He was therefore power
less to contend with the fierce current. !,
is sand by witnesses that be stood mp and
took one last long drink from his bottle
then fell over into the forward part OF hii
little craft. Quickly the boa: was fumb
ling ameng the rapids. IL was swept on
and down. successfully leaping many o.
the lodges. and many OF the persons OF
the shore gazed on the spectacle Of th'
doomed man SO speedily and certainly
voyay1ng 10 dcHth. without the possibility
of doing ANYTHING TO save him.
Near the Goat Island bridge A. most o
our req l,.r- will call 20 mind, the rapid
take the form OF long. regular and quit'
lofty lsap-. beng. in fact. a series OF fall
only less imposing than the last great de
scent. In jumping one 81 these ledge
the boa. was broken completely IN two
but Walker still for little time remain
ed in the forward part. inert and doubtles
bevildered, lying like An oyster on its bal
she'll "a somebody suggested. In ano'he
moment he parted company with hi
broken boat. and was hurried ON towar'
the brink. and clIn9ing 10 the remaining
oar. A. he swept under the bridge per
sons saw and easily recognized him. Al
instant more and both man and boat ha'
disappeared over the American Fall.
Search was made in the niyer below
and in the course OF the afternoon small
fragments of the boa. were found, an
also Walkers hat. The body had no
been recovered at last accounts. and ma
no. be for considerable time. The el