The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1879-05-29
OVER THE FALLS.
Terrible Scene at NIaRara-A Famous Guide
Caught In the Rapids and Swept OVer the Cat
Aract,

Terrible Scene at NIagara-A Famous Guide
Caught In the Rapids and Swept Over the Cat
aract.
Buffalo, N. Y, May 25.-Niagara Falls was the
scene Of another tragic death thit afternoon. rie
Walker was the man who furnished the details of
the tragedy. After 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 cataract in the presence of q
large crowd of excursionist, who were scattered
about, little suspeCting the awful spectacle
whi3h they were so suddenly called upon to wit.
ness.
The primary cause Of Walkers death was drunk.
enness. He had lip for liquor, which frequent
ly 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 ia
be lieved 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 fOol.hardy 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 mlsealculated his
powers and was caught in the Trap Rapids Just
above Goat Island aud It was at the point that tho
Mortified spectators first caught sight Of him as he
came down the river. A man on the bank shout.
ed 10 row in the sluice way, near the Cataract
House, and he tried to do 90 but caught crab.
ta,t l. 10 hall a Eoll k.oH IA
where he lay stupehed with intoxication The
liberated oar drii,ed away from the boat, and the
light Bkif was caught In the kwift current and
carried down until 1t reached point about half
way between the Cataract House, when II caught
on q rock and swung around for several seconds.
The situation at this lime was one OF extreme
horror, and the spectators looked on with bated
breath and beating hearts. The boat jumped up
on its terrible journey, riding upon the crest Of
the water then struck half tunken rock and
parted in twain, spillipg the occupant into tho
boiling rapids. The spectators on the thoIe at
Goat Island and the bridge not less than four
hundred Of whom were spectators Of this awful
catastrophe, sew the man rise above the surface
OF the water, throw up his hands once and then
his body was caught in that restless undeI1oW and
was swept from sight forever,
The feIrymen below the falls were notified, and
rowing Lear the cataract made search for the
body, but nothing was found but bis hat badly
cut BY the rocks an oar injured and the pieces Of
his boat The latter were eagerly sought by curl.
osity hunters as souvenirs Of The terrible Scci.
dent
The victim was well known at the Falls. He
was boat house Keeper and was wild, haIum~
scarum dlssipated fellow. BE cared nothing for
the danger Of the river, and laughed 10 scorn the
very idea Of fear. He was credited with being q
regular outlaw and smuggler, and when in dan.
ger rom me law be would seek one OF the smaller
islands. and rem ain until The Storm against him
blew over.
He made much trouble for his neighbors by his
and revengeful spirit His redeem
ing feature was his prt ficieDcy in laving human
lie, the result of his desperate daring He was
thirty years Of age, and leaves vile and two
children.