Volltext Seite (XML)
CANADIAN GUIDE BOOK. 5 the Genesee Falls at Rochester in the State of New York.—It is worthy of remark that the first fatal accident that has occurred in the numerous situations of considerable risk, where thousands upon thou- sands have been exposed, was in the case of Dr. Hungerford of West Troy, N. Y. State, in May of 1839. While he and his fellow-traveller, Mr. Nile of Columbus, Ohio, accompanied by a guide, were passing under Hog’s Back Point, the air above them was suddenly discover ed to be filled with falling earth and stone. In springing to their escape, the unfortunate Dr. was struck to the ground ; and his com panions, on removing him to a more secure spot, found that tho vital spark had fled.—On the 16th of August, 1844, a Mr. Thompson, of Philadelphia, visited the Falls, and took rooms at the Clifton House. His first visit was to Table Rock, when he was one of a party that went under the sheet of water. While the rest of the party were ascending the bank towards the staircase on their return, he was observed to go down to the water’s edge and seat himself on a rock. As he was not seen thereafter, it is supposed that, in attempting to get on a rock at a little distance from the shore, between which surges occasionally pass with much violence, he was swept into the frightful current and perished.—On the 24th of August, 1844, a Miss Rugg, of Lancaster, Massachusetts, arrived at the Falls in com pany with an elderly gentleman of Detroit, in whose care she was placed to accompany her on a visit to a sister living in Detroit. As they were passing near the bank about fifty rods below the Museum on the Canadian side, Miss Rugg left the gentleman’s arm, and step ped to the edge to pluck some evergreens. In doing so, the earth slipped from under her, and she was precipitated one hundred and fifty feet upon a ledge of rocks. A Dr. Sturgis of New York, who happened to be in the Museum at the time, and several others de scended the staircase at Table Rock, and, afterclambering over rocks, fallen cedars, and tangled underbrush for nearly a quarter of a mile, reached the fair sufferer, strange to say, still alive, but apparently dying. On being bled, she so far rallied as to say to those standing by, “ Pick me up.” By this time a boat had been brought near to the fatal spot, in which she was conveyed to the ferry-landing, and thence to the Clifton House. She lived three hours after the acci- A 2