Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-08-20
CARRIED OVER NIAGARA.
Remarkable Self Possession OF
q man Doomed TO Sure Death.
Buffalo Advertiser.

AT about shutdown last evening a
man was carried over the falls. Who
he was is not known His dress and
appearance indicated responsibility,
and after he got into the rapids his self
possession was extraordinary. His
boat was a very good one, decked over
on the bow, aud | should think would
carry three or four tons. No other
than person unacquainted with the
current above the rapids would ven
ture so near them. | was on the head
ofGoat Island, when | first discovered
the boat, then near half a mile below
the foot Of Navy Island and nearly two
miles above. the falls There seemed TO
be two in the boat. 1t was directed to.
ward the American sbore-the wind
blowing from the shore. and the sail
was still standing. Being veil ac-
duainted With the river. | regarded
the position Of the boat as extraordi
nary and hazardous, and watched it
with intense anxiety, Soon | discov
cred the motion Of the oar, and, from
the changing direction OF the boat,
concluded it had but one. While
constantly approaching nearer and
nearer the rapids, l could discover
that it was gaining the American
shore, and by the time it had got near
the first fall in the rapids. about halt
q mile above Goat Island. 1t was d.
reetly above the island. There it
turned up the river, and for some
time the wind kept it nearly station.
airy. The only hope seemed to be to
come directly to Goat Island, and
whether | should run half a mile
to give sn alarm or remain t.
assist in case the boat attempted t.
make the island was question o.
painful doubt. But soon the boa
was again turned toward the Ameri
can shore. Then it was certain tina
it must 60 down the American rapids
| ran for the bridge, rallied q man a
the toll gate, and we ran to the maiI
bridge In time to see the boat just be
foreit got to the first fall in the rapids
Then | saw but one mamie standing
At the stern with his oar changing tn
course OF the boat down the curren
and as it plunged over he sat down
| was astonished to see the boat rise
with the mast and sail standing, ant
the man again erect and directing th,
boat towards the shore AS he cam,
TO the next and each succeeding fal
he sat down, and then would rise ant
apply his oar in the intermediate cur
rent. Still there was hope that b
would come near enough to the pie
to jump, but in a moment it was gone
Another, that he might jump upor
the rock near the bridge; but th
current dashed him from under th
bridge, breaking the mast. Again h
rose on the opposite side. Taking hi
oar. and pointing bis boat toward tn
main shore, be cried. Had | bette
Jump from the boat2" We could no
answer, for either seemed certain de
struction Within a few rods Of tn
falls the boat struck a rock, turnet
over and lodged. He appeared t
crawl from under it and swan wit
the oar ia bis hand till he went owe
the precipice. Without the power I
render assistance--for half an hou
watching a strong man struggling wit
every nerve for life, yet doomed wit
almost the certainty to an immediat
and awful death, still hoping Will
every effort for his deliverance-csuse
au intensity of excitement prey Go
never 20 again experience.