Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1879-07-10
INTO THE DEPTHS.
French Lady Swept over NIAGARA
EaAlS-Sad End OF a Happy rOasr.

Bunalo Special to Gin. Enquirer, 2lst ult.l
On Thursday last wealthy French
| man. named "A. ROLAND, accomDanietl nv
| his wife. arrived. at Niagara Falls from
| the West, and registered at the Park ITol
tel. The couple had been on a tour around
the world, and were on their way to their
home in Paris, Intending TO leave the
Falls for New York Tomorrow, to take a
French steamer next week n either could
speak much English, but they passed
themselves to belong to the cultured Pa
risian class. This morning, by a singu-
lar and deploEable accident, Madame
ROLAND lost her life, and was swept down
the surging rapids, and over the great
Horseshoe Fall.
It.appears that about ten O'Clock this
morning the couple, who! seemed to be
much attached to, each, other, went out
for Il walk to view the wonders of the
great cataract. They strolled about Goat
Island, enjoying the sublime. scenery and
then crossed the bridge to the Three Sis
ter Islands. While on the middle island
of the group Madame ROLAND, being
thirsty, procured Il tin cup and stopped
at che edge of the foaming rapids to get a
drink of water. All accounts say that her
husbands backwas turned at this mo-
ment, and he was probably gazing up the
river. Suddenly, according to his own
statement, he heard a piercing Shrek ,and
turning around was hoFror-striclIeh to
see his beloved wife in the torrent of wa
ter, and just disappearing from sight. The
body of the unfortunate lady was carried
on the surface to the edge of the Horse
Shoe, or Canadian Fall, and was seen to
plunge over and into the dreadful abyss
below. This was the last seen. of her, and
no trace of the body has yet been discoy-
cred. -i- -
The frantic husband was at first COM
T0lofolxy 6IlT11 H. a6-
to the spot as if in a stupor. After a lit
tie while he apparently began to realize
the awful fate of his wife, aud made his
way back to the hotel, where he succeed
ed, after much effort, in explaining the
dreadful calamity which had befallen
him. Not being able to speak much Eng
liSh, and in a state of mind that can bet
ter be imagined than described, he natu-
rally excited warm sympathy; and, he
being the only direct witness of his wife s
fate, his account of the disaster was read
lily accepted as the true one. He gave
way to violent grief all through the re-
mainder of the day, and his condition at
late accounts to=night proved that he had
been suffering terrible mental anguish.
Nothing definite has been learned re-
garding his history or that of his unfor-
tunate consort, except the facts stated
above. Their pleasure tour had extend-
ed as far as Japan, and they were looking g
forward TO a speedy return to their ma
tive land. Madame ROLAND was lady
of attractive appearance, and had not
reached middle age. 1t is doubtful wheth-
er the body will be recovered for several
days, if at all. That of the last previous
victim OF Niagara man named Walker,
who was carried over in a small boat sew
eral weeks agO-has not yet been found.
As general rule clothing is always torn
off the body going over the great cataract,
and cases have been known in which the
corpse has been terribly mangled.