The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1890-09-13
Niagara Falls.
Mrs. Edw. Simon and Her Dau-
ghter, Rina, of this Town,
visit the Falls.
Graphic Account Of their visit, TO Judge
Edward Simon.
| Extract from Letter to Judge 4. 81
mOnl

Yesterday we saw the Niafara Falls
the Whirlpool and other interesting at
fractions in the vicinity, on both, the
American and Canadian sides of the ri.
yer. We ha6 joined a party OF excur-
siOnists from here. The merry crOwed
enjoyed themselves to their hearts coll
tent. For those who had never seen the
falls, it was great treat. My expecta-
tiOns were more than filled.
From Buffalo, the distance by rail is
very rapidly skipped, by the powerful To-
cOmOtive. Within a few miles the rum
bling noise of the rapids, become audi
bic, but was soon merged into the fear
full roar of the great cataract.
We alighted at Niagara, q beautiful
city of about fifteen thousand inhabi-
tants, kept as clean and neat as can be
desired. We admired the private resi-
dences, cottages and splendid hotels,
surrounded by exquisite flower plots, for
the beauty of their style OF architecture.
Many outside families spend their sum-
me- In these well appointed dwellings,.
Fine carriages overrun the wide ave-
nues. and are for hire ~ low rates. All
the surroundings indicate careful at
tentiOn to the comfort of travellers.
The immense volume of water pour
ing over stupendous and abrupt ledge
of rocks. several hundred feet high, into
an unfathOmable chasm, was a grand
sight to us. We viewed it from every
direction, from the great single span
bridge crossing the river below it, near
the whirlpool. the appearance Of the
Horse Shoe and American falls is magn-
ifcent. No human language can ade-
quately describe their grandeur, ard of
course, l cannot attempt it. From the
deck of the little steamer craft the maid
Of-the-midst, which brings you so close
to the Horse Shoe fall that you can al
most reach it with your hand. Your re-
alize still better this sublimity of this
wonderful freak of Gods creation.
There is a path between this great
sheet of water and the Rocky wall, right
under the falls, narrow and over slip
perry rocks, visited by many, clothed with
india rubber dresses and caps, but we did
not. We were satisfied with the expo
sure and ducking We underwent on the
little boat.
On the Canada side lies the Battle
field of Lundy's Lane, fought by the
americans agailst the British forces in
the war Of 1912. The American army
was commanded by General Winfield
Scott. 1t was severely contested bat
tie. Until recently the ,nusket ball-
could be seen sunk in the surrounding
trees.
The clock struck nine wnen We rsa-
ched Buffalo. Ii is certainly remarka-
lie city. II carries o. an immense trade
with that vast region of country around
the four great inland seas. The activity
and energy of her people is great. 1t
has nine tleatres, one hundred and fifty
four churches, sixty miles Of street rail
ways and fifty miles more underway.
$50 passenger trains come
in daily, over six hundred miles of trac-
kage within the city limits; and there is
one hundred and twenty miles of stone
pavement, and sixty three miles of as
phalt or more than any other city in the
world. In 1889, one hundred and twsn-
ty seven new streets were opened.
The population of 266,OOO within her
incorporated limits have splendid ad
vantages for the education of their chill
dren, forty three first class public schools.
Illiteracy is consequently very limited.
1t is not surprising these people should
be enterprising and progressive, with Ii
beral appreciation Of human nature.
We often take drive in the admira-
BILE parks which beautify that city.
They cover 62S acres and contain II
miles of park drive ways.
Would to God our Louisiana people
could have such chances of intellectual
and material improvements and advance.
ment.
Society. considered Of The first order
h.re ,ha, we have associated with. j: