Wisconsin Herald

A Man over the Falls.
Neither fiction nor fact furnish an incident of more thrilling interest than one which occurred last evening at the Falls, and is detailed below by our correspondent. There is something terribly appalling, almost sublime, in the struggles for life of a strong, self-possessed man, when drawn into the torrent that, with the speed of a race horse, sweeps him onward to certain destruction. A moment scarcely elapses between entire safety and a most fearful death, yet in that moment what a wealth of life may be compressed. How like lightning must flash through the mind, all the pleasant recollections of childhood, the firm resolves of vigorous manhood, the hopes of the future, the endearments of home and friends, repentances for past errors, and prayers for forgiveness in that dread presence to which he is so awfully summoned!—Buff. Com.

NIAGARA FALLS, Oct. 2, 1848.
At about sun-down last evening a man was carried over the Falls. Who he was is not known. From his management of the sail boat in which he came down the river, I think he was not well acquainted with the current or the rapids. His dress, and appearance indicated respectability, and after he got into the rapids his self-possession was most extraordinary. His boat was a very good one—decked over on the bow, and I should think would carry three or four tons. From what I learn of a sail boat having been seen below Black Rock, coming down, I think it is from there or Buffalo. No other than a person unacquainted with the current above the rapids, would venture so near them.

I was on the head of Goat Island when I first discovered the boat--then near half a mile below the foot of Navy Island, and nearly two miles above the Falls. There seemed to be two in the boat. It was directed towards the American shore-the wind blowing from this shore, and still the sail was standing. Being well acquainted with the river, I regarded the position of the boat as extraordinary and hazardous, and watched it with intense anxiety. Soon I discovered the motion of an oar, and from the changing direction of the boat, concluded it had but one. While constantly approaching nearer the rapids, I could discover it was gaining the American shore, and by the time it had got near the first fall in the rapids, about half a mile above Goat Island, it was directly above the Island. There it was turned up the river, and for some time the wind kept it nearly stationary. The only hope seemed to be to come directly to Goat Island, and whether I should run half a mile to give alarm or remain to assist, in the event the boat attempted to make the Island, was a question of painful doubt. But soon the boat was again turned towards the American shore. Then it was certain it must go down the American rapids. I ran for the bridge-saw and informed a gentleman and lady just leaving the Island, but they seemed unable to reply or move. I rallied a man at the toll gate--we ran to the main bridge in time to see the boat just before it got to the first large fall in the rapids. Then I saw but one man-it standing at the stern with his oar, changing the course of the boat down the current, and as it plunged over, he sat down. I was astonished to see the boat rise with the mast and sail standing, and the man, again erect, directing the boat towards shore. As he came to the next and to each succeeding fall he sat down, and then would rise and apply his oar in the intermediate current.

Still there was hope that he would get near enough to the pier to jump, but in a moment it was gone. Another, that he might jump upon the rock near the bridge, but the current dashed him from it under the bridge, breaking the mast. Again he rose, on the opposite side. Taking his oar and pointing his boat towards the main shore, he cried, "had I better jump from the boat?" We could not answer, for either seemed certain destruction. Within a few rods of the Falls, the boat struck a rock-turned over and lodged. He appeared to crawl from under it, and swam with the oar in his hand till he went over the precipice.

Without the power to render any assistance—for half an hour watching a strong man struggling with every nerve for life, yet doomed with almost the certainty of destiny to an immediate and awful death, still hoping with every effort his deliverance, caused an intensity of excitement I pray God never again to experience.

I write too hurriedly for publication, but I have stated all we have seen or know respecting the man or boat, and from which I hope you will be able to glean so much for publication as will lead to the discovery of the man.