The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-12-14
/ GREAT CHI
NESE INVASION.
s. rsASK M. EASTMAN.
copyrighted, 1901
CHAPTER XII.

1.,-s before the events narrated In
& limo chapter took place an un-
~ interesting incident occurred at
- a Niagara, in the state of New
q nerson who had not visited that
S] .sz.cauned cataract for few years
i. ~ date named would have been
er;fh amazemcnt had he then seen
could have found that the inn
4. 4merican fall had almost wholly
rs .,cd and in place of the enormous
~ wster which had formerly hurled
<s..f;unously downward with inces-
- Al that point he would have seen
sA;rh. black precipice, scanned with
..,eyires and scars, over the face of
here trickled at intervals small
Insignificant riyulets of water.
g had sufficiently recovered
h;s surprise TO inquire the
4 This Transformation he would
su,nd that the following gigantic
!. had been constructed at and in the
:.tr of the falls: An enormous dag
riue.dam of cyclopean masonry had
ka,lt out into the Niagara river, its
= arm projecting far above and OBJ
..lv beyond Goat island, while its lower
srminated in huge basin upon the
.,ran side, into which the struggling
GO af the river were forced to
dr<u;te themselves. From this basin,
NH massive gateways, the water
ri into an immense granite-lined
~ constructed close to the.edge of the
= rAich skirt the river below the fall,
running parallel with the same as far
he eve could reach.
IA intervals of not more than seventy
- 100 feet huge turbines were placed
Is botsom of the cliffs, which were sup
a with water by the hume above, with
led or pressure of from i75 to 200 feet.
corresponding intervals, upon the OPP
he and eastern side of the tiume, large
adinrs had been erected, from which
Il came the large and familiar sounds
lie BY the largest type of dynamo.
N Aosn the course of the river, past the
apad bridge, past the rapids, past the
aripool, away far beyond the reach of
3. strttched the apparently endless line
Rurhines and dypamos. A din louder
8 ihst formerly made by the great fall,
fre its majesty had departed, arose from
Snyrad of flying wheels and whirring
al Here was power almost infinite;
Hr sufficient to have worked Archi-
Ms lever had fuIcrum been provided
iii: power not throwing itself away in
<sss exhibitions for the delectation of
Ehteers, but preserved, stored up and
ady 10 obey the commands of man. But
Kshat purpose could such an immensity
magy be required?
4tm the morning of the day referred to
asaal stir and excitement was apparent
bong the army of mechanics and work
unemployed in these new and stupendous
rx There was an expression of anxiety
y suppressed nervousness visible upon
tir eountenances, and when they spoke.
Y tEh was infrequently, it WAS in low and
hdued tones. The streets were filled with
kbut excited spectators, and the train
The many bicycle railroads eentering at
point were constantly adding to the
Hnbers Of lookcrs-on. Flags were dis
hFed from all public and many private
ildings, and the sounds of martial music
pm numerous military bands betrayed
presence in the city of numbers of
oops on their way to the front. The air
smed filed with anxious expectancy.
a ne important event was evidently about
lake place.
IN large square, or plaza, which had
ta reserved during the construction of
works referred to, huge, peculiar
sped building had been erected, sur
uanied by movable dome similar TO
pose used over equatorial telescopes in
rge obseryatories. To this building there
from the long line of turbines and
Enamos, network of large insulated
piles. The constant din of machinery
snld be heard from within, but ingress
sterniy refused to the curious by line
sentries. This building seemed, for some
Fason or another, to be the center of i'm
crest TO the crowd, which pressed closely
hout the sentries in their desire to ap-
'oach the same more nearly. On the OPP
feslte side OF the plaza, facing the struc-
sn just named, a large platform or stand
u been erected, capable of holding per-
zps a thousand persons. 1t was evident
nat some important ceremony was here TO
PIG place. AT 10 o'clock on the morning
fithe day of which we write a brigade If
foops wheeled into the square, and were
Pawn up about the platform. By II
pollock the stand began TO iill with invited
aests, amt the arrival of persons of more
q less celebrity was announced from time
time by the cheers of the crowd.
IN the middle front of the platform n re-
'rsed portion still remained untenanted,
hse by an old gentleman and his two COM
fanions. This person was not of striking
appearance, though the strong lines about
Fs closely shaven chin and the resolute
OPPRESSION of his deep blue eyes might have
Indicated him to close observer as a man
~ more than ordinary force and ability.
IaS age appeared to he about seventy
||!ears. lie was evidently quite deaf from
" manner in which his companions adj
pressed him, but the vigorous tones of his
Is'ce and the energy of his movements in
Ieested that his other faculties were unim-
Isalfcd. Near TO the position occupied by
is'is person stood stand or cabinet, upon
1e Top OF which appeared a half-dozen or
sofe gauges or indicators, with other
Idpafatus OF less obvious character.
mhile the stand was filling with the
taests oil the occasion the old gentleman
isas engaged in conversation with his COM
EAniens. The first OF these-a young man
~ I'ne uniform of captain of infantry,
.ncse risht arm hung in ii sling. and the
faehess OF whose features indicated recent
have been readily recog-
e1leu by any officer of the Army of the
"sst as Francis Fuller, recently promoted
aS present rank for gallantry nj the
: .s'ue OF bet. The other, man of some
IN years had that long, peculiarly-shaped
s - ana distracted expression which in
sas'aeiy betrays the scientist. He wore
~ Uniform of a colonel of engineers. and
-. 40, IN Tact, Colonel Frank \. Wells, cleo
@s,,sh-in-chief of the Army of the West.
now many volts now. COLONEL" i'm
suisea The old gentleman, cheerfully, rs he
e''sals rubbed his hands.