The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1884-08-16
ON THE WING. July 80. 1884.

ID imagination yet. After worrying
through a broken, restless night,
sunrise saw me on the Old SuspeD-
sion Bridge, between the Falls and
the Whirlpool Rapids. inst over an
immense basin that glitters, sparkles
and flashes as though it contained
millions Of diamonds beneath it's sur
face, seemingly proud of its wealth
and conscious of its power. Twas
amazed, bewildered and alarmed at
the mighty spectacle that surrounded
me. Those rugged walls of slate,
towering above, surmounted with
scrubby birch and stunted cedsrs,
the wild, rolling, dashing, surging,
rlunging, kissing, seetblng, boiling
cauldron below, struggling tercely in
its last desperate effort to be free,
that sends showers of spray bound
ing and rebounding, mixed with
dismal. moaning echo), from side to
side for miles down the beautiful
canyon, and tue terrible effect of the
mighty rush, like an avalanche OF the
giant river above, that went leaping
over the precipices, bounding against
distractions, and overlapping itself,
so to speak. in its mad recoil, as if
anxious to repeat the assault, break
ing and dividing into iDnumerable
and fantastic shapes, all conyerging
and concentrating into an unfathom-
able pool, from which arises dense
spray nearly two hundred feet high,
sending a mist hundred yards or
more in every direction, is something
supremacy awful to behold. Visited
the spot near where Capt. Webb was
last seen alive, and obtained small
piece of the garment he had on when
drowned. solid bright red worsted
goods. His wife obtains living
there by taking photographs. from
which she derives good profit. The
town of Niagara, on the American
side, is very pretty and attractive,
and full Of tourists. Carriage hire
is high and sight seeing and curiosi-
ties "oxpensive," as FRITZ says. The
Canadian side presents the best view
Of the Falls, as the American Falls
caunot be fully seen from its side
There are some very good hotels,
particularly the Clifton house, also
several handsome, stylish. private
residences on that side, but, being
too much scattered and partially bid
by Intervening hills, the general ap-'
pearance ia not SO imposing as its
neie hbor.
There are many objects of rare
curiosity, both natural and artificial,
to be seen on both sides. but perhaps
the most singular one is the ''burn-
ing spring." on the Canada side, a
mile or so above the Horse Shoe Fall.
In olden times it was famous resort
and camping ground for the indians,
who regarded it with great venera-
ton, and considered it sacred. But
a change of ownership has changed
its usefulness. What was to them q
source of reverence. happiness and
comfort, is utilized by its present
proprie,ors as an object of curiosity,
profit aud pleasure. 1t is composed
Of gases, that exude with the water
through the. assures of a rocky
STRATA near the surface of the river,
supposed by biologists to generate
thousands of feet beneath. OF late
years it has been built upon and en-
closed within neat cottage, and the
rocks covered with earth to prevent
the escape OF the gas. By these
means the entire supply il concen-
trated to one point. where suitable
pipe has been arranged for its exhi-
bition. A few years ago one OF the
proprietors dug well on bis adjoin-
ing farm aud struck large vein of
gas, but had to abandon the work
and fill up his well, on account OF
reducing the supply of gas at the
spring. The light given is soft and
bright. comparing favorably with the
ordinary gas light The pipe is
about one inch in diameter, and the
flame about three feet high 1t is
easily extingnisbed, but is kept al
most constantly burning. The spring,
with which the pipe connects through
a wooden box, is in continual state
Of eruption. The water thai adheres
to an ordinary glass tumbler after
being dipped into it contains enough
gas to burn brightly from ten to 6f-
| teen seconds.
Anew suspension bridge. bali
mile or SO below the old one, right
over the rapids, is marvel Of strength
and beauty, deserving of,great credit
to the master mechanic who design
ed it. It is estimated to Withstand
$4,000 tons pressure. The Michigan
Central runs immense trains over it
every day. which, to say the least,
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