Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-09-24
4 "Reminiscences Of Niagara.

remember when was but boy that
II man got into the rapids here, having
been carried down in u boat, which was
broken TO pieces lie had the good for
tune to be dashed on rock, to which he
clung. 1t was at the height of the season
August if | recollecL-and he clung
there for fully thirty-six hours. Every
body streamed out of the hotels and the
village; the banks of the river, particularly
on this side, were thronged with people
anxious to do something 10 save him.
Dozens Of plans wers suggested; some
attempted, but all failed. Thousands of
dollars were offered to anyone who would
rescne him. The desperate situation OF
the man had been telegraphed all over the
country, and every train brought crowds
of passengers hither to witness it with
their own eyes. He was encouraged by
shouts from the banks, but whether he
could understand anything said is doubt
full.
The world is said to be sympathetic. 1t
is, or appears to be unsympathetic, because
the object for which sympathy is asked is
abstract When it is tangible, visible, all is
changed. There was an eXemplilication.
This poor wretch could be seen. He was
an ordinary uneducated man; but he was
Il mln, and the brotherhood and sisterhood
of the race went out to him in pity and
Intense eagerness to rescue him. Women
of fashion, btdSe club men, selfish world
lings, grew pale as they watched the un-
happy wretch, so vivid was their sympa-
| thy.
Many persons sat up all night looking
across the seething, roaring waters at the
small dark figure still clnging to the rock.
The morning came; renewed efforts were
made, but they all miscarred. The crowd
had increased; it was immense. Every
body was excited. Tears were in the
womens eyes the pallor CLEANED through
the rouge of some of their cheeks. Cant
something be done? Must the poor fel-
low perish before onr faces? 1t there no
way to rescue himP Such questions were
necessarily asked; but alas no reply could
be given.
The man had good courage and great
strength. He clung to the rock with the
desperation ola dying soul. TO lose his
hold was to be dashed over the cateract.
Apparatus and contrivances arrived from
Buffalo New experiments and new fail
ures Hoarse shouts still rang across the
rapids to hold on, to be of good heart.
The stoutest heart that ever throbbed,
could not grippe that rock forever. 1t was
wonderful how he had endured. A fresh
idea had come to the minds of halfa dozen
mechanics. They were laboring to throw
out hawser; every muscle was strained;
every eye was bent upon their work.
Suddenly the man slipped away. He
was exhausted; he threw up his arms he
dashed toward the cataract. A low groan
as from one breast quaked through the
throng; the thousands shivered with, ter
ror. A black OBJ ect for moment longer
in the hell of w aters, 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 chill
of tragedy distinctly wrought which froze
everyone for the moment to the spot.
The old resdent-he has lived here 40
years-says that on an average about six
persons are carried over the falls every
year, and that four out of the six are
wholly Or partly intoxicated and lose their
lives by carelesseness or reckessness in
rowing above the rapids, going beyond the
line of danger. But for liquor, not more
than two lives, he says would be lost an
nually.