New-York tribune., 1896-05-24

the dynamite blasts echoed and re-echoed between
the rocky cliffs. times hurl!ng huge pieces OF rock
across the chasm Canadian soil until the ne!ghbors
the river made the matter the subject OF an
international conference. Bowlders which for cen.
turtles had remained undisturbed were blown to
pieces TO make way for the trolley and the beautiful
grove on the American side OF the gorge has also
unfortunately fallen a victim.
The Niagara Falls and Lewiston Railroad begins at
the observation opposite the State Reser
walton. from which view of the country for miles
around may be obtained. Within the range of vision
from this point lie the American Falls. the Horse
shoe Canadian Falls, the suspension bridge,
the rapids above the falls. the Three Sister Islands,
Grand Island. Chippewa. La Sale. the inlet to the
great power tunnel. Victoria Park. the Whirlpool
Rapids. BrocR's monument Lundys Lane, Fort Nj
agara the last fort held by the British the ceebra-
ton Of the l00th anniversary OF the evacuation OF
which will be observed in August OF this year. and
numerous other places.
PROBLEMS IN RAILROAD BUILDING.
The railroad IS double-tracked It's entire length
from Niagara Falls to Lewiston. and every precau-
tion known TO engineering science has been exer-
cised make It safe. Ii is rock balased. The rails
heavy each is protected, and every safety
appliance known to modern railroading has been
employed. Work begun April 10. 1895, and a
construction train ran from Lewiston 10 the But
terry Elevator. distance Of five miles. eighty-four
days afterward. a good idea of the difficulties OF
construction may be obtained when It IS known that
a part of the line required vertical in solid
rock of 60 feet. One OF the interesting
tons OF the track is between the elevator and
Niagara Falls. on this route the tracks had 70 be
sion bridge and the cantever bridge on account
of the strength OF the current no Soundinss were
possible, and attempt 10 determine the character
OF the rock the snore failed. 1t was finally de-
cded TO use two plate grder trusseS, supported on
piers are submerged and were laid on bags OF
hydraulic cement rammed between the powders and
The ride beside the torrent of water is thrilling
experience On one side the rapids are lashtng
against huge submerged rocks and dashing twenty
wall OF solid rock 2Co 10 800 feet high The Whirlpool
for nearly a mile. Only few feet from the car the
rushing stream pent up and tormented with great
fury. In these rapids Captain Webb lost his life
trying to swim them
gorge route the whirlpool in new aspect
For a spectator from the banks of the towering
Gresaueness. On the car. only twenty feet above
the level OF the water it appears in all its relent-
where the rapids again dance and foam. the car
starts on direct route to Lewiston ua Here tie
tower way up in the air until they seem TO over.
hang he road ad @ nese n M from sr ARE 0 9bsa Mix
great trees and evergreen verdure. From this point
across to the Canadian side Brooks monument ap-
pears slhoue,ted against the sky, and below. sus:
pended between the two countries Ike ragged
pension bridge that ever spanned Niagaras chasnh
REGION OF HISTORIC INTEREST.
Along the entire line are many caves. some Of
which have never been explored their full depth.
or these the Devils Hole is the most weird. II was
here on September Il. 1863. that famous massa-
occurred. An English provision train the
top OF the cliff guarded by a small detachment Of
soldiers was ambuscaded by a horde OF Indians.
OF ninety men all but three were either butchered
driven the cliff. OF the three who escaped
one was drummer boy named Matthews. who fell
into a and caught by the strap OF his
drum. Another soldier named Stedman. who
escaped a fleet horse.
The little village OF Lewiston, the terminus Of the
road, the scene OF many bloody battles between
the Americans and the British, French and Indians.
The old Frontier House, where Daniel Webster once
appeared attorney IN court. Still remains. one
OF Fenimore Coopers novels was written at the
place.
The construction OF a railroad along the waters
edge in the Niagara gorge is the fuflment Of a
dream When the work was begun railroad men
from all over the country hocked TO Niagara Falls
and laughed when they saw what was going on.
They said that the road would never be built but
the protector had confidence, which many thought
was born OF insanity in his idea and in just eighty
seven days the road was IN operation from tho
Buttery Elevator TO Lewiston. The last two miles
were attended with the greatest difficulty, and have
only Just been finished Thousands OF men were en-
ployed along the five miles from the e;eva.Sr N TO
perpendicular cliffs. and at risk OF slipping into the
water below picked and drilled and blasted foot,
hod and finally reduced the rugged bank 10 level
roadway The cost OF construction alone was
81 3l5a5S Only two weeks ago the cars OF the Mag
ara Falls and Lewiston Railroad made their first
now being given between Niagara Falls and Lewis.
ton.