The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-02-08
NIAGARA.
Edward stevenson's Second
Descriptive Letter.
SIGHTS AT THE BIG TORRENT
1.-The Solemn and Awful voice Il
Heard in One Eternal
Roar"

SALT LAKE CRY, February 5, 1885.
Totbe Editor of THE HERALD.
Since writing to your paper concern
ing the Niagara Falls, January 18th,
which was published on the 25th follow
ing, 1 have concluded to venture few
more items from personal observation
and from history, hoping that they
may interest some of your numerous
readers.
In the year 1870, Elders n. T. Porter
Ezra 7. Clark, Moroni Pratt and my
self visited the Niagara Falls, via
Buffalo, New York, which is twenty
two miles from the falls. Securing
rooms at the Cataract House, overlook,
ing the American Rapids, we anxiously
engaged carriage and guide, for which
we paid 80, snd soon found ourselves
on the castiron bridge crossing the
rapids above the falls.
This is the finest point of view from
which to observe the rapids above the
falls. Here the beholder begins to rea-
lie the immensely of the far-famed
cataract. Hating on the bridge to gaze
upon the gushing flood of water, which
seems as If it would sweep away our
frail standing and hurl US over the
deep precipice few hundred yards fur
ther down. And why should it be other
wise when we realize that the great lakes
of North America-Superior, Michigan,
rha AanAC Of
their accumulated waters into Lake
Ontario, through a channel of
about thirty-six miles in length, namely
the Niagara River, and is in part the
boundary between Canada and New
York twenty-five miles below its
commencement at Lake Erie occur the
falls, only a few yards below US. Goat
Island, which we shall soon pass over
and which is just in our advance, di-
vides the American Fall from the Horse
shoe Fall which l have previously de-
scribed. 1t is estimated that 100, 100000
tons of water rushes over these falls
every hour.
The river above the falls is studded
with islands of all sizes, numbering in
all about thirty-seven. The width of
the stream varies from several hundred
yards to three miles, At the Falls
it is about three-fourths of a mile wide
The total descent from Lake Erie to
Ontario is 334 feet, which accounts for
its madness, foaming and rushing so
frantically below and around US. This
bridge is $50 feet long, having four
arches of 80 feet span each, q feet in
width, embracing a double carriage
way of 161< feet, and two footpaths of
So feet each, with iron ratings, and is
considered very substantial. Visitors
may cross as often as they wish for SOC.
per day.
The first bridge was built at the head
of Goat Island, in 1917. 1t was carried
away IN the following spring by ice. In
1878, on the present site, was constructed
another bridge by MessTs. Porter-ex-
tenSive proprietors in the neighborhood
and was repaired in 1889 and again in
1919. In the former year one of the
Workmen, named Chaplin, fell from the
bridge into the river. Fortunately the
current carried him to the first of the
two isletS below, and he was rescued
from his perilouS condition The island
was named after him, Chaplin Island.
In July, 1852, another accident occurred
near this point. Two Germans set cut
fo- pleasure ride above the falls. Next
morning one OF them, named
Joseph Avery, was seen cling
ing TO log in the midst
of the rapids, near the bridge between
Bah Island and the main land. Thou
sands of people assembled to render the
poor man assistance. Many attempts
we're made to rescue him from his peril
Gus position, but without success. Al
hast boat was lowered down the rapid.
toward the log to which he chung. Il
neared him. and now the grand throng
of people, almost breathlesS, closed anC
anXiouSly watched the next move
which must either result in life or death
He attempted to spring towards it, bu
his strength was gone and he fell into
the stream. In moment more hi
was swept over the Falls
His body was never found
Almost reluctantly we move on t
Bath Island, connected with Iris o.
Goat Island by another bridge, and be
yond Goat Island are few scattered
rocks which are connected with it by
means of third bridge. These rock
lie on the very brink of the precipice
between the American Falls and the
Horseshoe Fall, and on them stand
the Terrapin Tower, which commands
magnificent view of Niagara. Thi.
Tower was erected in 1888, by Judg,
Porter, and is As feet high. 1t i
assembled by circular stairs within, anC
secured on the top by an iron railing
One of our party was accused of squeez
ing the point on the railing, moring i
with fear lest the dashing water
should sweep us, tower and all, int,
the foaming caldron, which to US looket
far deeper than it really is, 16S feet
From distance Terrapin Tower look
like lone sentinel guarding this scent
OF magnificent desolation. Such a seen
is hard to describe, as the poet says:
From age to age-in winters frost, or sum
mer's sultry beam,
BY day, by night, without a pause - tn
waves with loud acclaim,
In ceaseleSS sounds have still proclaimed
the great Eternal's name"
Recrossing the bridge we wer,
forced to notice the bridge being
vet with spray and slippery, requiring
care in crossing. In 1852, a gentleman
fell from this bridge, and was carried tr
the edge of the Fall; fortunately he
stuck between two rocks; two Ameri
cans threw lines to him, which he
fastened around his body, and was thus
drawn ashore.
A timber formerly projecting over the
dread abyss, was the usual evening
promenade of the eccentric Francis
Abbot. In 1852 two enormous pieces o.