The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1883-10-31

AoA &c ASAduu OV AOcC uIkus tncA q udI-
row fall of large volume, then low
rock island, another narrow fall
similar to the last described, then q
large island, beyond which is found
the main body of the river broken
into cascades, which front in aim OF
every direction owing to the distort-
ed condition Of the lava channel.
The next morning we crossed the
river above the group of islands in a
little boat, and were surprised to find
the stream flowing gently and
placidly, seemingly unconscious OF
the terrible fury which will in the
next minute mark its descent. Near
the shore We passed the ruins Of a
willow-thatched cabin, around which
were scattered the remains of a gold
washing rocker, an improvised can
dlestick and other evidences of a
miners humble abode. Here a few
years since dwelt a sort Of recluse, a
Scotchman by birth, who was known
by the name of Old Tom Bell.
For long time he had lived there
gaining a precarious livelihood by
washing the auriferous sands, which
at this time employ number Of Chi
nese above and below the cataract.
Bell had constructed rude boat
which served him in carrying his
firewood and in crossing to one of
the islands where he mined during
low stages of water.
One morning in the spring time
when the river was much swollen
there appeared on the river opposite
Bells cabin two Chinese merchants.
who had been on a collecting tour
among their countrymen on the
river above, who beckoned to Bell
to come and set them over. Bell
rowed safely across but on his return
one Of his oars gave way, when
losing control, the boat sped quickly
away in the strong current. He at
tempted to reach the nearest island,
but was powerless to manage his
oarless craft and in the minute fol-
lowing was swept over the precipice
Two Chinese miners were the only
witnesses. In that awful moment
they all arose and stretched their
arms toward Heaven in a fruitless
appeal, all. IN .ia i1sss mt were furied
by the relentless waters into the
abyss below. Several weeks after
ward the bodies of the heathens were
recovered by their countrymen, but
here were no vigilant fearful eyes to
seek the remains, no saddened hearts,
no mournful sighs over the tragic fate
If poor Thomas Bell.
Passing on from Bells cabin We
soon reached the bluff overhanging
he south side of the falls. From this
ooint all Of the rapids and cascades
.bove as well as the entire falls are
embraced i'm one view which is in
lescribably grand and infinitely finer
han that from the north side. The
liver bank is precipice worked out
nto turrets and alcoves. Cedars
ling here and there in apparent des
and doubtful tenure and
i'd to the picturesqueness OF the
Gene. The bottom Of the falls can
lot be seen for the spray that
lrifts out like snow before binding
torn and rising upward produces in
he morning sun from every stand
,oint the most perfect rainbows,
While to the westward the river, deep
nd green as emerald, flows peace
ulIy away between the basaltic
wallis. L,oking downward from
his spot upon the narrow beach a
uarter of mile distant a thousand
# more railroad ties that bad escaped
boom OIL the upper river and were
Washed ashore here, appeared like so
aany pieces of stove wood, and upon
afterward we found
hem rounded like polished stones
Y the friction encountered by buf-
citing with the rocks in their way
Yard journey.
The rivers edge below the falls on
be south side is accessible only at
ne point, and the descent through
eiile formed by the course Of
pringlet is very difficult, but, once
own, the visitor may easily ap-
roach very close to the falls. The
oise is deafening and tie excessive |
loisture has caused luxuriant |
rowth Of grass and ferns, and the
ir is fragrant with mint.
Near the middle of the cataract the
olume Of water is very great, and it
ONES tumbling over in great white
lasses resembling, more than any
ling else I can imagine, huge
unches of cotton necessarily falling
YER precipice. A large abutment |
ear the south side tapers and mar
,ws toward the top as though placed
,ere to support the mighty preci-
ice, and down its fac, the water
ickles with apparent leisure, in
,ntrast with the tumultuous vol
mes on either side, in a thousand
liver threads.
In this vicinity there is a cavern
here the reverberating noise of the
ling water resembles the putting
a locomotive at high speed. A
tile farther below and in the face
the cliff is situated Diana's bath
,om, which is an ear-shaped grotto,
10 feet high and surmounted by a
ome-an isolated, needle-shaped
,ck, almost as high: standing seni-
ell at the entrance. From the very