The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1904-07-29

NNM over the union protests have
poured in against the fur
Their designation OF Niagara's wonder
ful beauty for commercial purposes.
And due heed has been given TO the
protests: Niagara is not to be turned
over to the devastators. Il is hoped our
country may long continue to regard as
one OF the noblest OF her many shrines
Of natural beauty the wonderland Of
Niagara.
Years ago agitation was employed to-
wards the preservation Of Niagara but
II is said the honor belongs TO couple
b Of sootchmen Of making the first real
suggestion that the place be carefully
protected. After a visit TO America
these words Of theirs were published
Niagara does not belong to Canada or
America. Such a spot should be deemed
the property Of civilized mankind, and
nothing should be allowed TO weaken
this efficacy on the tastes, the morals
and enjoyment Of men,
The Niagara region is a territory OF
no great extent. but famed the world
around for the grandeur Of It's falls. the
lovellness Of the surrounding country,
and It's preservation Is certainly ques-
ton OF national, II not Of international
concern. And the historical associa-
tlons lend added interest to the pres
ervatlon OF innumerable landmarks
about Niagara Here It was the red
men held their councils Here at an
early date. the daring French traders
penetrated. and there is proof that the
intrepid French missionaries crossed
the Niagara river in the days OF the mis-
sionary zeal Of France. For the four
score years the French had dominion
in America. they considered the Niagara
region a most important portion Of their
domain.
Among the noted names connected
with Frances enterprise IN this local
itv Is that OF Jacques Cartier. and in an
account OF Cartier's second voyage "a
the St. Lawrence IS presented the FIRST
reference TO the Great Lakes country
and the wonderful cataract now known
as Niagara. In Champlain's "Des Saw
ages" published in 1903, mention IS
made OF a waterfall and river doubtless
Niagara Falls and river; and in bis
Voyages" the same explorer tells OF
very high waterfall at the end OF Lake
St Louis (Ontarlo). "where many kinds
OF fish are stunned in the descent j
IS thought Brule, Champlain's inter
preter. may have been the first Whit
man really 10 look upon the falls. II
1926. a Franciscan priest Travelled oi
the Niagara river, and IA years later two
Jesuit fathers crossed and recrossed th'
stream. In the Jesuit Relations" repor
is given Of work with the Indian natiol
"Oneulaahra. having the same name a
the river"
In 1857. the location Of the falls an
lakes was correctly made in Samson
map Of Canada. the falls being called tn
"Oneiarra Falls" In 1859 La Sale an
Rene Galllnee Travelled 10 the west en-
Of Lake Ontario. and Gallinee's journa
gives an account Of Niagara as describe
TO him by the Indians; speaks OF the fac
that "the river falls at that place fror
a rock higher than the tallest pines.
Father Hennepin saw the wonderful
place for himself, in 1878. and his repoI
Of its beauty was widely read In Europe
his books on the new world being trans
lated into many languages. Fathe
Hennepln was the first 10 use the pres
ent spelling Of Niagara. The word ha
been varlously Interpreted "thunde
of the waters" seems very fitting II nc
accurate.
Fort Niagara was the last Of the i'm
portant posts held by the French in thei
system OF Notifications connectin
Louisiana and their possessions in east
ern Canada: and this presently fell ar
der the grasp OF the conquerlng Englisl
The English then made pow-wow wit
the.Indian Inhabitants Of the land. ha
their acquisition ratified by the natives
Sir William Johnson. In 1864. at Fol
Niagara assembling 1000 Indian wa
riors Of the region. and having ceded
him. for HIS sovereign. a strip Of Ian
four miles wide on each bank OF n
Niagara river. and also acquiring Attn
time all the Islands in the river. NJ
for long. however, did the English COZ
tinue in possession, for their title
things in America was presently veal
ened by the American revolution
Within 20 years after her procuratio
Of the territory. England was forced
give up one-half the lands bordering @
; the Niagara riyer-counting the Island
more than one-half. but Il was not unit
( 1916 Il was absolutely conceded th'
! most Of the Islands in the Niagara rly'
belonged 10 the United States
During the war Of 1872 the Niaeal
frontier was in the heart Of the bord
warfare. Lewiston. Fort George, New