The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-11-06
WILD Y! L D TROLLEY RIDE.
Dow Nlagara's George, Past the Raging
Torrent Of Her Waters.
SPRAY DAsHEs AGAINST THE CAR
Five Miles OF Novelty and at The
-. Same Time Ono of the Host Pic.
turesque Attractions in the World
Motive Power Generated from
the Newly Harncssel River.

There aro trolley limos and trolley lines,
but tho ono that skirts tho wild gorge
through which the mighty waters of Mag.
ara tumble and pour in mad, uncndina
race is probably the most unique IN its
scenic attractions, of any in tho world.
The road has Just been constructed on tho
American side after Wholesale blasting of
tho noble cliffs in order to caryo out the
roadbcd. The road Inns its terminus Mt
Lewiston, in tho gorge below the cataract.
A long struggle with nature was ncces-
sary before tho grades could BIO established.
Parts OF the canyon could not BIO surveyed
+ until the engineers were lowered with
ropes down tho side of tho precipice and
within few feet Of tho rapids. Tho cliffs
on either side of tho gorge arc covered to
great height with broken rocks, which
have fallcn from above us the result of
centuries OF erosion. Some OF those frag-
monts are of enormous siZo. These masses,
sloping rapidly to tho river, are covered
with luIurinnt growth of shrubs and
trees. At tho baso of this heap and in
some cases carved out of the side wall of
tho canyon lies tho roadbud. With every
blast below there came an avalanche of
rocks from above. This in turn had to DO
removed. In some Instances dctour was
necessary in order to avoid some Of these
enormous masses of limestone.
Tho road starts from tho steel obscrya-
ton tower at tho entrance to Prospect
park, passes along the cliff, entering tho
gorge just south of the railroad bridges,
down q grade OF 200 feet in ne-fourth Of
mile to the sido Of tho Whirlpool rapids
1t Is magnificent sight to watch tho
rapids at any time, but no one can form
an idea Of tho rapidity of this stream until
he takes this remarkable journey on tho
frnI l,t,. II. .4..t..
gravity, in which tho stream PUSHES on
with tho speed Of an express train.
For five miles tho road winds along tho
river, often SO close to the stream that the
opray dnshes against tho car. At the whirl-
pool, where tho pool makes u right angle
an onterprising undertaken has painted his
business sign upon the rocks. 1t Is hard
to determine what use one would have for
an undertaken IL the car tumbled into tho
river ut that point, for it is Improbable
that car or corpse would ever be seen again
Tho road Is double tracked and is provided
throughout with guard rails The electric
power Is generated by water obtained from
the Niagara river. The trolley line repre-
scnts, therefore, portion of Niagara ia
harness.
From the cliffs tho appearance of car
at night is very weird as it fits along tho
rapids Ike gigantic will-o' -thc-wisp
Whilo much of the scenery hns been mutt
lated and while the long line Of trolley
wires and poles defaccs tho landscape, yet
tho injury is not irroparablr, for the vego-
tation will in time be partially replaced
by another growth
1t seems to be the desire of some one 10
invent u new sensation at Niagara every
year. Usually some part Of this pictur-
esque region is sacrificed to accomplish
this puprusc. A fcw years ago the New
York Central Railroad company blasted
out ront!hcd along the side of tho lower
gorge To Lewiston for their observation
trains. y Thousands Of tons of rock were
removed and great damage was done to
tho foliage. An old suspension bridge
now ruined, hangs across the lower end Of
> tho gorge and is II blot upon the scenery
Ono cantilcver and twn suspension bridges
enable passengers to enjoy tho novel effect
of viewing the cataract from midar 200
feet above the rapids. y half dozen ugly
elevators spoil some Of tho most pictur-
esque points in me gorge.
On tho Canadian line n trolley limo OK
tends along tho river from Chippewa to
Qucenstun, through the Queen Victoria
park. The waste water and refuse from IA
score of mills pour into the canyon, and
ono concern has its plant located in the
gorge itself.
Everywhere outside the reservation marks
the commercial idea is dominant and
beauty is sacrificed to utility.-New York
World.
Pointer For Ambitious Youths.