The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1893-02-24

the waterfall The iron railings which run
along the sides would be sufficient protec-
tion for the most reckless or the most un-
steady II they were supplemented with
some strong wire netting But as they are
now there is possibility, especially in the
case of child. Of pedestrian falling
through the spaces between the bars.
This possibility was amply demonstrated
by the incident referred to. 1t was over
this bridge that Mrs. Crimson, of Toronto,
was passing, accompanied by her two
daughters and the Rev. John Ramsey,
LII. D., Of Ballymoney, Ireland. They had
occupied the roadway as being safer than
the sidewalk-safer to one whose head is
easily turned on heightand as affording
view equally good. The approach Of q
carriage forced them to the walk. The
planks are few inches higher than the
floor Of the bridge, a fact overlooked by
Mrs. Grimason She was slightly behind
the others, and in stepping up rather sharp
ly her foot caught and she went head first
through one Of the spaces in the railing
DIR. Ramsey, jumping to the side Of the
bridge saw her clinging to one of the iron
bracings against which she had fallen In
her descent. He shouted to her to hold on
and be would find aid at once. Her posi-
tion was as secure as the situation would
admit Of She had fallen astride OF the
bar, and thus while her strength and her
senses continued she had but to balance
herself TO keep from falling. To the eye
witnesses OF the scene, however, it was one
of hopeless horror. 1t seemed impossible
that assistance would reach her in time, as
she is woman of over sixty years, enfee
bled by age and by fright,
But she clung firmly to a narrow stripcf
Iron, which was all between her and the
bowling river ITO feet below, How could
she preserve her consciousnesss How she
did retain it during the time taken up in
lprocuring ropes for her rescue she will
probably herself never be able to under
stand But II those minutes were f'ilI OF
Iunutterable terror to her, with what un-
kpeakable horror, with what alternating
sensations Of hope and despair, with what
emotion Of anguish were they charged TO
her daughtersl
1t was for them q day crowded into ten
minutes, but with the expiration Of that
time came assistance Mr.. Ramsay re-
turned with ropes and assistants, one Of
whom was the bridge policeman.
The ropes were quickly tied tothe bridge,
land the reverend delegate, as brave In dan
ger as faithful In his calling, and young
and active witbal, descended hafA over
hand to the side Of the imperiled woman.
A rope passed about her body. under her
. arms and securely fastened gave ample
, assurances Of her safety Itwas not mo-
ment too soon, however, Her strength col
lapsed as herdeliyerer reached her, and a
few seconds later bis ishor would have
been without results Several OF the ex-
cursionists by this time had reached the
' scene, among them Mr. iLss7egs Mi Nairii.
!, Mr.. Hugh Blain and " Dali ton and never
/ did these gentlemen ppllMitb more hearty
good win thaD on the erope by which this an
fortunate lady was rescued from 4 wabery
grave and restored to the arms Of her
daughters. .S i858
The strangest part Of the whole occur
, renee, and the part which cannot be ex-
J planned, is how she fell against the iron
bracing. 10 do SO she had to fall in under
! the bridge If her descent had been straight
1 nothing could have saved her; and how
: she CHANGED to get so far under in such o
. short distance from where she fell is and
. must remain a mystery. She was takent tt
4 hotel. but, although suffering from the
i great nervous shock, shs was able to re
! lturn to Toronto on the excursion gtraiH
" Dir Causlaud after an examihation found
y that she had not been injured physically
Rev. Dir. Ramsay, who was the hero q
the occasion, is comparatively yonne
man, between thirty-fye and forty