Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-04-23
Defies Assaults Upon Il
By Dynamite Charges.
"A Solid Mass, Without a Crack,
Extends for Ten Miles.
Experts will Continue Use Of Ex.
pIosIves Hope to Win.

Fort Niagara, N. V, April 22.-The
great ice foe still effectually blocks the
mouth Of the Niagara gorge in spite
OF the vigorous assault upon it this af-
ternoon by Assistant superintendent
KuEZie and his force of men. Tic chief
effect of the explosion of 100 pounds
of dynamite was roar and a pro-
longed and liberal sprinkling of ice
within the grounds of Fort Niagara.
The channel was not even opened and
the slush, ice which shot so feet into
the air, fell back into the hole from
whic! it had risen.
The main mass of the ice from the
mouth of the river 10 miles north does
not show single crack and is appar-
emily as solid as wall of master ma
sonrv. About 200 feet from the shore
is a narrow channel Of swiftly running
water. About so feet north of the head
of this channel is a good acre of green
water
Mi. kunze expects to set off the next
few charges of dynamite at the head
OF the small channel on the Canadian
side Of the river The general ice level
is. if anything, somewhat lower than
it was yesterday. but the ice is still
here and more and more menacing
every moment.
Lewiston, N. Y. April 22.-The ice
crowding his devastating bulk
between the banks of the lower Nj
agara river, slumbered the night
through, needless of the war which had
been declared against him by the state
engineers. On his tanks anxious
watchmen waited. worried by the
southwest squalls which had been driv-
ing ice over the falls throughout the
afternoon and evening. But the force
of the current crowded with Loose
Jumps of ice evidently ground out a
smooth subway for itself beneath the
main mass of the foe. for the water in
the cellars rose only five inches during
the night and receded an equal dis
lance in the early dawn. The ice which
plowcd the upper banks uprooted huge
trees and pulverized docks and boat
houses is still poised on it's lofty level.
hut the middle line of the surface of
the foe has apparently dropped few
feet
The jam is of appalling proportions.
a peaceful eXpanse of dirty
NC IlIHSltu Will WItChdSc ana up
rooted trees, it is nevertheless II miles
long and in many places 50 feet in it's
depth. 1t represents millions
OF tens and strength powerful enough
to annihilate the four villages along
it's border if it should start to so out
all at once Another element of dan
ger is its pestilential nature. Mingled
with the slushy ice and cast high on
the banks is a weeks sewerage from
all the cities along the Niagara from
tier. Physicians are warning the peo-
pie to beware of using the water as it
is rank poison.
The plan of the state engineers, Hen
ry "A. Kunzie. assistant superintendent
of public works. and Charles A. Tut
tie. an expert on high explosives it.
first to blow off the head of the ice
giant, now projecting into Lake On
tarlo. by an enormous charge of dyna-
mite. Other sections of the body of
the monster will then be successfully
separated from the whole ana allowed
to drift out into the lake. Three wagon
loads of dynamite We're sent from Buff
falo last night for this purpose and
are now safe in Youngstown. at the
mouth Of the river.
Captain Mitchell. offer in command
at Fort Niagara, has offered the as
sistaEce Of his 120 men. Captain Mel
son. in charge of the life saving sta
ton at Youngstown and his crew of
seven mon will also help.
Considerable disappointment is being
expressed on both sides of the river at
the reluctance of the American and
Canadian governments to hasten to the
relief of the community
Mr.. Kunzie and Mr.. Tuttle have ar
rived here and are now on their way
to Youngstown.