The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1883-10-18

At about sundown one evening, re-
Gently, says The Buffalo -Adoeriiser, a
man was carried over the Fails. Who
he was is not known. His dress and
appearance indicated spectablity, and
after he got into the rapids his self-pos-
session was extraordinary. His boat
was very goo4 one, decked over the
bow, and | should think would carry
three OF four tons. No other than
person unacquainted with the current
above the rapids would venture SO near
them. ! was on the head of Goat 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 toward the Amer
lean shore-the wind was blowing from
the shore, and the sail was still stand
ing. Being well acquainted with the
river, regarded the position of the
boat as extraordinary and hazardous,
and watched it with intense anxiety.
Soon ! discovered the motion of an oar,
and, from the changing direction of the
boat, concluded it had but one. While
constantly approaching nearer and near
er the rapids, could discover it was
gaining the American shore, and by the
time that it had got near the first fall
in the rapids, half a mile above Goat
Island, it was directly above the island.
There it was turned up the river, and
for some time the wind kept it nearly
stationary. The only hope seemed to
be to came directly to Goat Island, and
whether should run half mile to
give the alarm or remain to assist in
case the boat attempted to make the
island, was question of painful doubt.
But soon the boat was again turned
toward the American shore. Then it
was certain that it must 90 down the
American rapids. l ran for the bridge,
rallied man at the toll-gate, and we
ran to the main bridge in time to see
the boat Just before it got to the first
large fall in the rapids. Then saw one
man-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. was astonished to
see the boat rise, with the mast and sail
| standing, and the man again erect di-
| rectiug the boat toward the shore. AS
| he came to the next and to each sue
ceeding fall he sat down, and then
would rise and apply his oar in the
the intermediate current. Still there
was hope that he would come near
enough to the pier to jump, but in a
moment it was gone. Another, that he
might jumb upon the rock near the
bridge, but the current dashed him from
it under the bridge, breaking the mast.
Again he rose 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 few rods
of the Falls the boat struck q rock,
turned over and lodged. He appeared
to crawl from under it, and SWAN with
the oar in his hand until he went over
the precipice. Without the. power to
render assistance-for half an hour
watching a strong man struggling with
every nerve for life, yet doomed with
almost the certainty of destiny to IN
immediate and awful death, still hoping
with every effort for his deliverancd+
caused an intensity ofexcitement pray
| God never aoain TO eXDerieuce