The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1892-12-09

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t&@% ~3t mi les above the
NG.H Falls, and perhaps
three-fourths of mile above the first
rough water of the terrible Rapids.
Notwithstanding the dangerous prox-
unity of the Falls, people are con-
tinually crossing and recrossing the
river here. between the American and
Canadian shores.
Great caution is generally exercised
by boatmen, and the loss OF life on this
stretch Of water is less than on any body
OF equal width constantly travsrsod by
small open boats-.that know Of. De-
time to time, but these have always beeu
the result of ignorance, o: gross care
lessness.
Three cases Of this kind have come
under my own observation and was IN
happy enough to see the victims drawn
down to the first leap OF the Rrpids,
after which not trace Of any one of
them was ever seen.
One OF these instances was that Of n
farmer, who drove his horses aud WAGON
into the edge Of the river, n. shoal
place about a mile above Chippewa, to
let the animals drink that particular
spot being the only one for many mile,
which was adapted for tho purpose.
The man, though perfectly familiar
with tie locality, carclcesly drove in
too far, and, upon attempting to turn
about, QUO OF tho raius naught under the
neck yoke, the horses houndere into
deep water, tic running gear rank,
dragged the poor brutes down and
drowre1 them, while tho light pine
wagon box tloated OF with tho man
The unfortunate fellow was known to
he good swimmer, and if he had in
stantly jumped out and made for shore,
all would have been well. But he was
frightened out of his wits AMI did moth.
ing but scream for help. Now comes
the stranscst part of the story. The
accident was witnessed by another farmer,
?iowin9 in n field close at hand. AS he
we'll knew, there was not boat Of any
kind nearer than Chippewa, and ye.,
instead Of springng on one of his horses
and riding for life, he actually walked
down along the bank, keeping abreast of
and taking to his imperilled neighbor
and cheering him by the assurance that
nc would ge. boat and take him of
Wien he should como in front of the
village!
Gradually-for such is the trend of the
current there AS the box hoated down
stream, 1t was oorne further and further
from land, and when it did arrive oppo-
site the mouth Of Welland River was
fully 400 yards out.
Only then did the sympathizing friend
rush into the village and give the alarm.
From the edge Of the Niagara to Chip
pewa Bridge, where the nearest boat lay,
was ut least 800 yards. This distance
he had to run, and find some one to un-
lock, equip with oars and man the boat.
Tie consequence inevitably was that the
doomed Ialmer was far beyond human
help even before it started-startcd only
and then turnel back from the hopeless
chase.
That awful cry, "a man going ovei
the falls y rc:ouuded through the village
streets, and II crowd of people quickly
gathered.
The hapIess castaway was now shooting
DINA tthAqt s9esA @faippGiyne Of Ply ystsr
evidently gwen up all hope of rescue,
md was kneeiiug on the bottom Of his
frall raft, with outstretched, clasrcd
hands, apparently in prayer.
Faster and faster he was hurried atone
and IN another moment we saw the box
lifted high Oil the crest of the Rapids
first tumutuous ridge, shaken to pieces
like . pack OF carls aud foated in frag-
mcnts array amidst the seething hell of
waters, while its late occupant disap.
pearcd iolcver from human view.
The second person whom | saw thus
done 10 death was one of party of duck
hunters, who had been shooting in the
wcedy passage between Grand and Buck
horn Islands. In spite Of his companions
advice TO the contrary, this man deter
mined to remain out all night, in the
hope OF making good bag in the early
morning.
The last thing his comrades saw OF him
so they told us-he had drawn the bow
of his boat little way up on a sand bar
At the lower end Of Buckhorn Island,
and laid himself down to sleep in her.
1t is supposed that, while he slept, a
change Of wind caused the water to rise
sufficiently to set the boat free-a mod
crate down stream breeze would do it.
A. all events, shortly after daybreak next
morning, some one of the Chippewa's
early risers calle out that an empty boat
vas going over the falls. A knot of
1Ht,res'ed spectators soon focked down
>" 'hc rivers edge to see the exciting
r""Ht Opinions being about equally
d Gcd as to whether the light skiff
"oUii live to reach the cataract itself,