Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-09-11

Buffalo Advertiser

Buffalo Advertiser.
AZ about shutdown last evening a man
was carried over the falls. Who be
was Is not known. His dress and APP
Pearance indicated Responsibility, and
after be got into the rapids his self
possession was extraordinary. His
boat was very good ole, dscked over
on the bow, and would probably carry
three or four tons. No other than a
person auAcQuainted with the current
above the rapids would venture so near
them. l was on the head of GOA
Island when l first discovered the boat,
then nearly half a mile below the foot
of Navy Island. and nearly two miles
above the falls
There seemed to be two in the boat.
IL was directed toward the American
shore-ths wind blowing from the
land, and the sail WAS still standing.
Being well acquainted With the river,
regarded the position of the boat as ex-
traordinary and hazardous, and watched
II VITA intense anxiety. Soon | dis
covered the motion of an oar, and, from
the changing direction of the blat, con-
Guided II had but one. While constantly
approaching nearer and nearer the
rapids, l could discover il was gaining
the American shore, and by the time IL
had got near the first fail in the RAPIDS.
about half = mile above Goat Island. in
was directly above the island. There it
was turned up the river, and for some
time the wind kept il nearly stationary.
The only hope seemed to be to come
directly 70 Goat Island, and whether
should ruu half mile to give an alarm
or remain to assist in case the boat at
tempted 70 make the island was CUES
ton OF painful doubt. But soon the
boat was again turned toward the
American shore. Then it was certain
that 1t must 60 down the American
rapids.
ran for the bridge, rallied man at
the toilgate. and we ran to the main
bridge IN time to see the boat Just be-
fore It got to the first large fall in the
rapids. Then l saw bat one Alan-he
standing at the stern with his oar
changing the course of the boat down
the current, and as it plunged over he
sat down.
i was ast0nished to see the boat rise.
with the mast and sail standing, and
the man again erect directing the boat
toward the shore. As he came to the
AeSAs oh4 O0SA cuoCCCullR ftit lie NAL
down, and then would rise and apply
his oar In the intermediate current. Still
there was hope that lac would come
near enough to the pier TO jump. but in
a moment it was gone. Another, that
he might jump upon the rock near the
bridge, but the current dashed him
from under the bridge, breaking the
mast. Again he arose ON the opposite
side. Taking his oar, and pointing his
boat toward the main shore. he cried,
Had l better jump. from the boat?"
We could not answer, for either seemed
certain destruction. Within a few rods
Of the falls the boat struck rock.
turned over and lodged. He appeared
to crawl from under it, and swan wit.
the oar in his hand till he went over the
precipice.
Without the power to render assist
ance-for half an hour Watching a
strong man struggling with every nerve
of life, yet doomed with almost the GER
tainty of destiny to an immediate and
swift death, still hoping with every ef-
fort for his Acknowledgement an in
tensity of excitement pray God never
again to experience.