Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-09-03
! Remini.cence of Niasara.

remember when l was but boy that a
man got into the rapids, here, having been
carried down IN a boat, which was broken
10 pieces. He had the good fortune to be
dashed on a rock. 10 which he clunG. 1t
was at the height Of the seasOn-August, If
l recollcct-and he clUng there for fully
thirty-siX hours. Everybody streamed out
OF the hotels and the village: the banks of
the river. particularly on this side, we're
thronged with people anxious to do some
thing To save him. Dozens Of plans were
suggested; some attempted, but they all
failed. Thousands Of dollars were offered
10 ANYBODY who would rescue him. The
desperate situation of the man had been
telegraphed over the country and every
train brought crowds Of passengers hither
to witness 1t with their own eyes. He was
encouraged by shouts from the banks, but
whether he could understand anything said
Is doubtful. The world is said to be sym
pathetic. 1t Is, or it appears TO be, un-
sympathetic, because the object for which
sympathy is asked is abstract. When il is
tangible, visible, all is changed. There
was an eXcmplification. This poor wretch
could bc seen. lie was an ordinary, uned-
ucated man: but he was a man, and the
brotherhood and sisterhoOd Of the race went
out TO him in pity and intense eagerness to
rescue him. Women Of fashion, blase club
men, selfish worldliIgs grew pale as they
watched the unhappy wretch. so vivid was
their sympathy. Many persons sat up all
night looking across the seething, roaring
waters at the small dark figure still clinging
10 the rock. The morning came; renewed
efforts were made, but they all miscarried.
The crowd had increased; it was immense.
Everybody was excited. Tears were in the
wOmen's eyes, the pallor cleaned through
the rouge of some of their cheeks. Can't
something be done Must the poor fellow
pcrish-befOTe our faces! Is there no way
10 rescue himi Such questions were inces-
sanity asked. but, alas, no reply could be
given. The man had good courage and
great strength. lie clung to the rock with
the desperation Of a diving soul To lose
his hold was TO be dashed over the cataract.
Apparatus and contrivance arrived from
Buffalo. New experiments and new fail
urca. Iioarse shouts still rang across the
rapids 10 hold onto be of good heart.
The StOuteSt heart that ever throbbed could
not gripc that rock forever. II was Won
deriul how he had endured. \ fresh idea
had come TO the minds of half a dozen ne
chanicS. They were labOrinS TO throw out
hawser; every muscle was strained; ev-
cry eve was bent upon their work. sud
denly the man slipped away. He was ex-
hauSied; ne threw up his arms: hedashed
towards the cataract. \ low groan, as
from oneb breast, quaked through the thrOng:
the thousands shivered with terror \
black object a moment fingered in the hell
Of waters, and then disappeared forever
There was an agony of relief No one
moved: no one spoke for while. All
looked in the direction where the figure had
been swallowed up. 1t was the enchant-
ment of terror: it was the chill of tragedy
distinctly wrought which froze every one
for the moment to the spot. The old resi-
dent-he has lived here for forty years
says that on an average about six persons
are carried over the falls every year, and
about four out Of the six are wholly or
partly intoxicated and lose their lives by
carelessncsS or reckleSSness in rowing above
the rapids, going beyond the line of danger.
But for liquor not more than two lives. he
says, would be lost annually.