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

- <DJ miles above th'
WG.f Falls, aud perhap.
three e-fourths of a mile above the first
rough water of the terrible Rapids.
notwithstanding the dangerous prox-
unity of the Falls, people are con-
tinuall crossing and recrossing the
river here. between the American and
Canadian shores.
Gieat caution is generally exercised
oy Doatmen, and the loss of life on this
stretch Of water is less than on any BODY
OF equal width-constantly travsrscd by
snail open boats-.that know of. De-
Plorab!e fatalities have occurred from
time to time, but these have always been
the result OF ignorance, o: gross care.
lessness.
Three cases Of this kind have come
under my own observation and was un
happy enough to see the victims drawn
down to the first leap OF the Rapids,
atfer which not trace of any one of
them was ever seen.
One OF these instances was that of a
farmer, who drove his horses and waron
INTO the edge Of the river, q. a shosl
place about mile above Chippewa, to
ict the animals drink-that particular
spot being the only one for many miles
which was adapted for tbs purpose.
Inc man, though perfectly familiar
with tie locality, carelessly drove in
TOO lar, and, upon attempting to turn
about nnA of the rains caught undsr tho
neck yoke, the horses houndere into
oeep water, the running gear cank.
dragged the poor brutes down and
drowret them; while the light pine
wagon box floated OF with tho man
The unfortunate fellow was known to
be 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 and did moth.
ing but scream for help. Now comes
the ,stransest part of the story. The
accident was witnessed by another farmer.
2'owinS IN field close at hand. AS he
Weli knew, there was not boat of auy
kind nearer than Chippewa, and ye.,
instead OF sprlnging on one of his horses
ana ridlpg for life, he actually walked
down along the bank, keeping abreast of
and taking to his imperilled neiphbor
and cheering him by the assurance that
nc would get boat and take him off
Wien he should come in front of the
villagel
Gradually-for such is the trend of the
current there AS the box fioated down
stream, 1t was oorne further and further
from land, aud 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 tine nearest boat lay,
was at least 300 yards. Tnis distance
he had to run, and find some one to un-
lock, equip with oars and man the boat.
The consequence inevitably was that the
'oomed laImer was far beyond human
help even before it started-startcd onIy
and then turned back from the hopeless
chase.
That awful cry, "a man going over
the falls" rcsouuded through the VILLAGE
streets, and crowd of people quickly
gathered.
Ihe hapless castaway was now shooting
a&&u~ ~t&at S@aotA s8&ifht ippGfline Of lw wstsr
evidently gwen up all hope of rescue,
md was kneeiing on the bottom of his
irall raft, with outstretched, clasped
hanas, apparently in prayer.
Faster and faster he was hurried alone.
ana 10 another moment we saw the box |
llited high on the crest of the RAPIDS |
frst tumultuous ridge, shaken to pieces
Ike pack OF cards and foated in frao-
nents away amidst the seething hell OF
waters. while its late occupant disap.
pearcd forever from human view.
The second person whom I saw thus
lone 10 death was one of party of duck
who had been shooting in the
vcedy passage between Grand and Buck
horn Islands. In spite OF his companions
ldvice TO tho contrary, this man deter
mined to remain out all night, in the
rope 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
If his boat little way up on sand bar
1t the lower end OF Buckhorn Island.
md laid himself down to sleep in her.
1t is supposed that, while he slept, a
mango OF wind caused the water to rise
ntficlently to set the boat free-a mod
rate down stream breeze would do it.
1t all events, shortly after daybreak next
nornin g, some one of the Chippewa's
arly risers callel out that an empty boat
'as going over the falls. A knot of
'terested spectators soon hocked down G
The rivers edge to see the exciting
'cnt Opinions being about equally \
y:ded as to whether the light skiff
ould live to reach the cataract itself, |