Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1900-01-30
NIAGARA FALLS VIEWED
THROUGH MY EYES.


to time by the most able authors of the
day. And last by r. l.. johnson, of
Washington, D. c., in his beautiful
book entitled Niagara. Its history, in
cidents and poetry, | can only tell you
of it as | saw it. We reached there
in the early morning. AS soon as ]
could see | went to Prospect Point
and remained there till after sunrise.
Much has been written of the Falls by
Sunset and Fails by Moonlight but
TO see the real grandeur and beauty of
that rushing torrent of water you must
see it in the morning. 1t seems tame
and quiet at the first view, but as the
sun rises the beauty expands and it
seems to grow as you gaze on it. As
you look on the edge of the water fall
cast thought back to Avery whose
terrible experience is described so
graphically by Dean Howells.
After breakfast with a reservation
guide book in my hand, | set off a-foot
and alone to view the falls in my own
way 1t is never undignifed to walk
amid the grandeur and beauties of ma
ture. ever thank God for the strength
to do so. Every step is crowned with
glorious visions. | come to Goat Island
bridge and must perforce stop in the
middle of the bridge in awe, at the
glorious power exhibited in the mad
rush of whirling water. At the end of
the bridge, keep to the right and reach
Luna Island. If the sun is shining you
will see numerous rainbows rising
above the verge of the abyss. Next is
to visit the Cave of Winds. To do that
you must disrobe and put on first a
| thick suit of fannels and felt shoes.
Over that rubber suit. As you enter
the cave amid the binding spray, it
were well if you can prevail upon the
guide to stop and allow you to realize
just where you ares He will rush you
through in haste if you let him). You
will find yourself in dismal whirl of
roaring wind and water If your time
will allow it is better to visit this at
sunset, then you can see the three !
rainbows," one within the other in
complete circles. 1t is a sight never
seen any where else known on this
earth. Next cross the Terrapn bridge |
where formerly stood the old Terrapin |
Tower, and you get so near the edge of
the cataract that if you have the cour-
age you may play your fingers in the
disappearing waters and there amid |
the rising spray think of Ridgely when
he says
Here hast thou ever poured
Earths grand libation to eternity,
Thy misty incense rising unto God
The God that was and is and is to be-"
Or as Mrs Sigourney wrote;
"Flow on forever, in thy glorious robe of
terror and of beauty"
From there go to the bridge leading |
| to Sister Islands. From the third island |
I you will get a view that will make an |
everlasting impression upon your mind
Those maddened, roaring, never rest
ing waters. AT the falls they seem to
glide over to rest, but here they do not
seem to pass on, but to be ever rushing
on to be thrown back in despair.
As you leave The Sisters, take one
look at the Little Brother" The
small apparently neglected one. Go
next to the head of Goat Island and |
look at the parting of waters Sit there
and think in the midst of the rush of |
life, OF the many passages made in our
own life that can not be retraced. Then |
on up the glen and take drink at the !
spring Whenever drink at a spring
in the woods think of the time when
no white mans foot 'trod the wilds,'
| Now you are ready to take a trip down
the incline way, and get your ticket for
a ride in the Maid of the Mist. You are
at the foot of the American falls and
you begin to realize the meaning of the
name Great Falls Don Your rubber
suit and as the little Maid takes you up
to the foot of the Horseshoe Falls you
further realize the extent of the falls.
If the sun is shining that trip is the
most glorious of all earthly things,
you go almost under the falling water.
This trip is best made when the sun is
in the west You will be landed on the
Canada side; sit there in the pavalion
and think in the words of Brainard
who strange to tell never saw the great
cataract, "The thoughts are strange
that crowd into my brain, while l look
upward to thee, it would seem as if
God poured thee from the hollow OF his
hand and hung his bow upon thine
awful front" From thence go up to
where Table Rock, used to be. There
remove starched apparel, don rubber
suit, go down the elevator and through
a cave, and you are again under the
falling water, there you may stand as
long as you wish and think. You are
sin the hollow Of his hand, beneath
those overshadowing rocks that hold up
that mass of rushing water, you are
standing near where once projected
Table Rock Nowhere else can you so
well realize the fact that the falls are
passing up stream. At the Canadian
Trolly Station get 4 round trip ticket
which will allow you to stop of. any
where On that trip you have afne
view of the river below. As you come
up the gorge you will think with
Phoebe Hanaford, Awe struck / stand
beside this avalanche of waves and hear
the voice of God from out these watery
depths Those waters made me think
of Hades, The water is rushing at the
rate of forty-five miles an hour, yet it
seems to be lighting and drawing back
for fresh and more over powering
rush, As you leave you may think with
r. L. Johnson:
| Proud Bedloe's Isle may sound her horn,
/ Bartholdi's gift her coast adorn.
But rli her birthdays final morn,
Here dwelleSt Liberty"
Mrs l. A. SHIELDS