Mexico weekly ledger., 1884-05-15
TRAGEDIES OF NIAGARA.
Memories Recalled by the VeddOr.
Pearson Horror.


Did tree trunk still rising in the
American rapids, between the small
islands off Of Goat Island and the
American shore. l guess no one re-
members when that tree lodged there,
but I remember it for thirty years,
and it never entered my mind that it
could be there yet. But there it was,
and as stood on the Goat Island
bridge last week, and looked down at
the gnarled trunk, the thought of that
early summer morning, over twenty
years ago, when I was one Of the
first people at the falls to discover a
man clinging to the log, came back to
me with q vividness that made me
shudder. No one ever knew how he
came here or who he was, but it was
supposed that he had been rowing
across the river somewhere above
during the night before, and losing
control of his boat had been swept
down into the rapids, and the boat
striking the tree trunk he had, by
some miracle, gained foot-hold up
on it. News never spread so rapidly
as that of the discovery of this man
in his perilous situation. Word was
telegraphed at once to Buffalo, and
party of life savers came on special
train to try and rescue the man. Be-
fore 10 o'clock thousands of people
were gathered at every available spot
where sight Of the unfortunate man
and the efforts to save him could be
obtained. All the railroads ran spe-
cial trains, and the people came in
conveyances of all kinds from the
surrounding country. No one SEEM
ed to know at first how to 60 to work,
but the man clung to the tree watch
ing every movement that was made.
OF course it was impossible to make
him hear or give HIM any direction.
Finally life-boat was attached to a
cable and let down from the bridge
toward him. It was drawn toward
the log by ropes attached to it and
handled by men on the island. The
boat was making directly for the
spot, and hope that the poor man
would soon be safely drawn ashore
began to be felt by the assembled
multitude. Suddenly, however, it
was caught in a sudden whirl of the
rapids, the cable parted like a kite
string, and the boat rushed past the
man like fash within two feet oi
him, and was carried over the falls.
After this the life-savers were all al
sea again. Several plans were sug
lgested, and one was adopted which il
took until late in the afternoon to gel
in readiness. In all those long hours
of suspense 1 don't believe one O
the spectators ever moved from hi
tracks. Everything else about Mag
ara Falls was forgotten except the
terrible scene of fellow-being hang
ing on the verge of death and patient
ly awaiting the success or failure o
the efforts that were being made t.
rescue him.
The plan adopted was to fasten
strong cable securely to the American
shore, attach a staunch raft to it
carry the loose end of the cable owe
to the island and let belly down wit
the raft to the tree trunk. By thi
means it was hoped that the raft conl
be drawn steadily to the small islam
between the man and Goat Island
from which no trouble was anticips
ted in taking HIM. Some food and
glass Of brandy were placed on th
raft, and ropes were fastened to it b
which the man was to tie himse
fast. The raft moved down an
reached the man in safety. As b
stepped upon it, lashed himself fas
and then eagerly seized the refrest
ments, such shout as went up frol
the thousands of people that ha
watched the proceedings with beatin
hearts and bated breath was neve
heard before. 1t could be hear
above Niagara. The raft was move
toward the island. Everything seen
ed to be working to a charm. I'll
tension that was put upon the feeling
, of the spectators was so great th
many tainted away. I was stron
man but I wept like child. SUI
denly the raft stopped. The cabl
drawn as it was beneath the waite
caught on some obstruction. All e
forts to loosen it were unavailin,
One groan Of agony arose from Il
great crowd. Finally the man sprar
to his feet, undid the fastenings tn
held him secure on the raft, an
kneeling for moment as if in pra
er, sprang into the raging water al
! pulled bravely for the island, but
few feet away. At first he gain
visibly, and the thought that he won
be saved found utterance in anoth
joyful shout from the spectators. B
when he was almost within reach
, the shore his strength began to ia
and steadily the distance between hi
and the shore increased. Then eve
one knew that all hope was gor
He made a few more despers
, strikes, but the wild waters seiz