The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-09-18

results, and from winch Inc most is to
be expected. We therefore see that
this is to be year of remarkable prog
ress in railway extension on this CONT
nent.-N. Y. San.
A "Reminiscences of Niagara Falls.
ONE morning, soon after daybreak.
nearly twenty years ago, the early risers
at the Falls discovered something NOV
ing on huge old log or trunk of tree
which for years had shown itself above
the boiling rapids on the American side,
having been caught by and become
firmly wedged into the rocks on its
way toward the Falls. Looking down.
ward from the bridge, this log was and
still is in full sight, in the fiercest part
of the rapids, considerably nearer the
small island on the American side of
Goat Island than to the American shore.
The moving object was soon found to
be man, and it was evident that his
boat had been carried over the Falls dur
ing the night, while he himself had
miraculously been cast against the log,
by which he had managed to stop his
fearful rush toward death. Dispatches
were Immediately sent to Buffalo to the
Coast Life.saving Station, and Capt.
Dorr FASTENED to Niagara by a special
train, carrying with him two metallic
lifeboats, and plans to save the man
were concerted. But, before the ar
engagements were completed, the news
had been spread abroad, and many
thousands of persons had reached the
Ea1 NV ia1 I'll
the bridge, the American shore, the
roofs and windows of all adjacent build
ings and the branches of trees were COW
cred with anxious and Mortified specta-
tors.
The first attempt at rescue was by
means of a Francis metallic lifeboat at
tached to cable which was Stacked off
from the bridge opposite the log, and
guided by side ropes. The boat had not
got far from the bridge when the fierce
rapids seized it, turned it round and
round, and appeared endeavoring to
crush in its sides. The strong cable
snapped like whip-cord, and the poor
fellow who had been watching the effort
made for his rescue saw the boat whirled
past him and carried over the Falls, as
if in mockery of his would-be rescuers.
Considerable time was then consumed
in celebrating on a new plan, and it
was proposed to fasten cable to some
building on the American side, to carry
it over to the island until it would sag
near the log, and then to rescue the man
by means of a basket hung on the cable
by rings, and to be let down and pulled
in NV mo of a.
terials for this experiment could not be
procured, so at last it was determined to
send down strongly constructed raft
in the same manner as the lifeboat had
been launched, and if it reached the man
in safety, to ease it over toward the small
island, from whence his rescue would
be comparatively easy. The raft was
built, but it was O'Clock in the after
noon before all was ready. The day
had passed without the flight of time
being needed. The excitement was in
tense. Men and women, who had stood
for hours without food, were painfully
agitated. The raft moved. 1t with
stood bravely the wild assaults of the
angry rapids. 1t neared the log. The
man stood up and waved his arms. The
raft came within his reach and he got
on to it, eat the food, drank small
quantity of weak brandy and water that
had been put aboard, and fastened him
self by the lashings which had been pre-
pared and the intent of which he under
stood. Then the raft was cautiously and
steadily moved toward the island,
with its precious freight. The people
shouted and many wept from over
wrought feeling. Suddenly the raft
came to stand. The rope was taut!
1t had caught in rock. To attempt to
force it was to risk its parting, and the
fatal consequences could not be misun-
derstood. The poor victim seemed to
take in the situation and to grow des-
perate. He unfastened the lashings,
stood up, made spring from the raft in
the direction of the island, and was in
the foaminG waters. Instantly he struck
out for the island. He seemed to be a
powerful swimmer, and thousands of
men and women held their breath in
Mortified suspense. He appeared to
near the island in his desperate efforts.
Then arose the cry. "He's saved! he's
Savedin
DuI suddenly tnoSe on the bridge, VINO
could see more distinctly from their To-
cation, became aware that the space
between the island and the swimmers
head was gradually widening. There
was another dreadful moment of sus-
pense, and then the IMPLYING rapids
seized their prey, and apparently max
ing sport of the efforts that had been
resorted to to snatch him from their
grasp, twisted him around and whirled
him along until they hurried him over
the precipice. As the poor fellow went
over singular effect was observable.
The vast body of falling water curves
over the edge of the Falls like huge
wheel, and as the body was shot forward
by the force of the current, it seemed to
leap completely out of the water,
the feet being visible, before it took the
terrible plunge. The deathlike silence
that had fallen upon the crowd was
broken by fearful cry-a sound ming
ling wall, howl and shrek in one.
Many strong men as well as women
tainted. They had witnessed a tragedy
more intense in its painfulness than any
the drama could present, and one not
likely to be soon forgotten.-New York