The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-08-23

"a spray ISS6 uK0 uOG SG0dm dG 10dS6
two hundred feet and is snow white.
The mist then rises several hundred
feet higher and forms white, feecy
clouds all the time and for two miles
or more a steady drizzle of rain falls
perpetually. Thus can be seen the
only practical and visible formation of
clouds from vapor. This is worth 60
ing miles to see, and can be seen no
where else in the world. In the spray
that rises three distinct rainbows can
be seen. From the Canada side they
are palmer and the sight fills you with
awe. Every color and tint shows out
splendidly. These rainbows are exa ;tly
in the shape of the falls themselves.
In the river below the falls a steam
boat has been built. 1t is called the
Maid of the Mists." You can go
down one of the several inclined rail
ways" or down an elevator and get
aboard the boat and ride up under the
falls, the boat going out of sight in the
seething foam.
Grand as the sight is in summer, it
must be equally as grand in winter.
The river below freezes, and also the
spray, forming thousands of icicles.
Niagara river is a curious one. 1t is
only SO miles long-22 from Lake Erie
to the Falls, and IA from the Falls to
Lake Ontario. On March 29th, 1848, a
strong wind from the east blew the
water back into Lake Erie. For one
day the ice formed and damned up
the river. No water went over Niagara
Falls for "a hours, and for the first
time people walked under where the
water pours over. But the wind
changed, the water forced the ice out
of the way and business was resumed
at the same old stand"
The old suspension bridge, III mile
below the Falls, was blown down by a
windstorm on January 10th, 1889. 1t
had but recently been completed. In
a little " II months the present new
steel structure was completed. 1t is
1858 feet long and over 200 feet above
the river. The four cables are each
81 inches in diameter. The bridge
sways very much when carriages pass
over it, but is considered absolutely
safe.
The Tuscarora Indians still have
their habitation near Niagara, and
make many little ornaments of beads,
etc, and sell to visitors. The Chip
pewas and Ottawas also dwell in that
vicinity.
There are three forts near Niagara.
Fort George, Fort Niagara and Fort
Messissuga. On July 25th 1914, a des-
perate battle was fought here between
British and Americans. About 1900
we're killed. They were buried on
Drummond Hill. on the Canada side.
Pernaps more people visit Niagara
from the extreme ends of the world
than any other point. 1t is not strange,
therefore, that many odd characters
come there. Many partly insane peo-
pie commit suicide for the temptation
to go over the falls or jump from the
cliffs or bridges is great. Many are
killed accidently or by risking too
much. A number have been killed in
foolhardy attempts to go over the falls,
or walking wires Or ropes. In 1878
Signor Bellenni walked across on a
wire cable I of an inch in diameter.
He jumped from the cable three times
to the river 200 feet below and came
out unhurt. In 1860 Blondin walked
a rope over the Whirlpool Rapids on
stills and carried a man on his back.
In 1876 a woman walked a rope at the
same place.
On June %, 1887, Steve Peere, a
painter from Drummondsville, On
tario, while it was raining hard and
blowing vigorously, walked a wire
stretched over the rapids 24O feet
above the water. He afterwards at,
tempted to cross the same way while
drunk and was killed. His cable is
still there for the visitor to see.
I beg the readers pardon for SO
much reading on this line, but hope
that the historical points described
will be of interest to all. r.
GENERAL NOTES.