The National tribune., 1901-07-25

for he Stunned society, found him highly
educated and very entertaining. Both
uaIly and nightly ne visited Jne> Falls,
Gnd so fascinated did he become with
Niagara that he could not leave. He
tried in vain to purchase land upon one
Of the Three Sisters, on which to build
house, but finally occupied au old cottas
on Goat Island, spending his time prin-
cipaliy in solitary enjoyment of the great
cataract Who he wus no one knew, but
his restlessusss caused him to wander day
and night He bathed regularly in the
turbulent waters, and the spot is still
pointed out where in June, 1881, his
the Falls. His body was not found for
several days, and he now lies buried close
to the Falls that he loved so well.
In iS2y Sam Patch leaped from a plat
form built at the end Of a long ladder
which was secured at the foot OF Il rock
by a strong rope and placed so that the
platform projected over the rocks. The
leap was 81 feet, feet first. This fool
hardy act was witnessed by thousands of
spectators. At Genesee Falls, he made
u second leap OF l25 feet, while his third
leap. from the Center Falls, OF 125 feet,
was his last. His body was never re-
covered.
Here Blondin, too, committed his rash
although successful act of crossing the
Falls upon rope secured at either side.
lie first appeared bearing his balancing
pole III his hands, but when he reached
the center of the rope he stopped and tot
tered. The spectators were filled with
terror lest he should fall, but it was only
feiSned, for he quickly recovered himself
and walked steadily on. Soon after reach
ing the opposite shore he was seen upon
the rope for Il second time without his
balancing pole, using his arms only. \
third time he crossed with his balancing
pole and his feet thrust into wooden
buckets. This was in 1853. The follow
ing year he repeated these feats, cross
ing 300 feet below the Suspension Bridge
This time it was performed for the bene-
ht of the Prince of Wales. Faroni and
Harry Leslie have succeeded him in this
exploit.
TO the true lover of Nature does Mag,
ara provide a rich feast for the borders
of the river are OH either side lined with
rare wild flowers. These form an ex-
haustless field for study, 143 distinct
species being found here. The most con-
spicuous among the trees are the tulip and
cucumber. There are four kinds of maple,
three of sassafras, two of ash, three of
linden, many nut-prOducing trees, and
other varieties.
The meadow rue, golden rod, tloodroot,
wild columblne, with numberless other va
rleties of flowers are found here in great
abundance.
Birds of every known variety are seen
In the forests and along the shores, sea
gulls are found in great numbers; these
the smart boys try to pass off on tourists
as eagles. The cedar bird, scarlet tan
nager, wood thrush being among the num-
Der.
In all probability Niagara once
flowed through a shallow valley similar
to that above the Falls. At the escarp-
ment the cataract thundered over para
pet twice the hight of today, falling upon
red sandstone on the plain below This
being soft, was rapidly worn away by the
action OF the water and spray, while the
more compact rocks above, comparatively
unaffected. projected over the chaldron
Undermined by the rush of waters, they
fall from time to time in great masses.
IN the year 1913 and 1928 the country
was shaken by their fall like an earth
quake. Gradually it has begun to assume
the shape Of a crescent The rate of re-
cedure is disputed. Some scientists claim
that 1t retreats yard annually, while
others only a foot Without doubt this
diminution has not been uniform, and in
many parts of its course Niagara has re-
manned almost stationary for ages
Roughly calculated it has taken the Falls
$4,000 years to eat their way from the
escarpment of Quebec to their present
position, and yet, although this period is
great IN comparison with the years TO
which the annals Of the human race are
limited. it Is as nothing compared with the
previous ages whose extent is indicated by
the geological formation in the region
around Niagara.