The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-25

fall is five times greater than that dis charged by the American. It derived it's name from its shape so closely resem- bling that of horseshoe, although it has long since lost the graceful curves of a horseshoe and assumed that of a ".
 Mrs. Edna M Taylor shot this falls in barrel, October 24, 1901. and survived, feat never before accomplished. Mrs.
 Taylor may now be seen on the streets
 of Niagara selling photographs of her
 self as souvenirs. The barrel in which
 she made this daring trip may also be
 seen. On the barrel are posted certificates
 from the mayor of Niagara and several other citizens certifying that Mrs. Tay-
 Tor accomplished this feat
 The American falls extend from the
 main shore to Luna island, a distance of
 1l00 feet. Their principal attraction con
 sists in the foamy whiteness into which
 the torrent is dashed by coming in con-
 tact with cragsy points of rock on it's
 descent. The American falls are the
 most easily reached and can be approach ed the nearest. The Niagara Gorge rail-
 road starts from Prospect park, Niagara
 Falls, and trayerses the length of the
 gorge to Lewiston-running the entire distance within few feet of the waters
 edge, affordinS an unparalleled view of 1 the entire river, the great whirlpool, the whirlpool rapids and many other exciting
 and interesting views. Luna island, is
 point of rock projecting over the tor l rents brink, dividing the American falls. It can only De reached by foot bridge l from Goat island. An iron rail around the brink protects the visitors from pos ] sibe danger, still too much caution can ' not be exercised At this point a very distressing accident occurred. On June 2i, 1S49 a family from Buffalo were visit l ing the place, and when about to leave the island, young man, a guest of the family, playfully picked up a little daugh- ter of his host and approaching the rail- | ing exclaimed: q am going 10 throw you over" The child in her struggle to escape, slipped from his arms into the water. The young man with frantic shriek, sprang to save her and immediate
 ly both disappeared never to be seen again.
 Under the two great railroad bridges at the narrowest point of the gorge occurs the great Whirlpool Rapids, caused by
 the narrowing of the rocky walls, caus- Ing the great volume of water to force ltseh through the narrow space and rugged bottom. increasing in fierceness until the eulminaton is reached in tbe boiling caldron below So precipitous is
 the rocky bottom of the stream that inc water reaches a speed of twenty-seven niles an hour and coming in contact with the great powders below is dashed into roaming pillows, leaping aloft from twen- " to thirty feet above the level of the river, whose roar and noise of conflict is beyond description
 The Cave of the Winds is 60 feet wide and 100 feet high and is formed bv inc action Of the water washing away inc so1t' shelly substratum of rock. Ieav- ing the more flinty limestone project Ing overhead. This cave is place of continuous tempest caused by the atroos
 pheric pressure produced by the ranIditv or so great body of water falling such distance, compressing the air into a rock-bound cavern. The wind rushes across the floor of the cave from front to rear carrying with it great clouds of spray that would instantly wet the wis ltor through were it not for the water proot suit the guide provides him with from this point as nowhere else is real lzed the terrific, irresistible power of
 thls lalllng water. while the sublimitv and grandeur of this marvel of nati,ra,. handlwork fills the beholder with wonder and amazement, inspiring him with rev. efence for the Great Artifieer who fash toned 1t all. The cave is famous for inc the magnificent views obtained of the ~"e"ieNNtf duu dS Delng the only natural opening behind the falls of Niagara VI
 The new Suspension bridge at Lewiston Is built out of material of the old Sus- pension bridge taken down in 1890
 The Observation Tower just opnosita frospect park, recently completed. is pullt or steel with a winding stairs ex- tendlng to the top, also two passenger elevators by which tourists are conveyed to the top for a small fee. The ton of the tower is 300 feet above the street and 4D above the river below the fall The
 landscape being very level. a grand view ol the surrounding country can be had from this tower.
 The feeling of thousands of visitors to Niagara Falls on first beholding the great cataract is indeserlbable Still they con not fully comprehend the magnitude of lhls natural phenomenon until they have boarded the staunch little boat. Maid of the Mist, and riden up into the very teeth Of the cataract through a tempest of wind and spray, caused by such a great body oi water falling with such velocity for so long a distance.
 Many new and expensive bridges have recently been built across the river en- abling tourists to cross from shore to shore.
 We left Niagara Falls early the next morning fully realizing that we had ehzed upon one of the greatest natural elriosities of the world, and one, if not the greatest, of the Eleven Wonders of America