WHEN NIAGARA RAN DRY.

Bush Advocate, Volume V, Issue 354, 16 August 1890, Page 9

WHEN NIAGARA RAN DRY.

A Xew York pioneer says in tho St. Louis Gfoha- Dcnw.nt that on '29th March, 18-18, for a fow hours scarcely any water passed over Niagara Falls, Tho winter had been an extraordinarily severe one, and ice of unusual thickness had" formed on Lako Erie. The warm spring rains had tho effect _of loosening tlie congealed mass, and during the day mentioned a stiff east wind drove the ice far up into tho lake. About sundown tho wind suddenly changed and blow a heavy gale from tho west. This turned the ioo in its course, bringingit down to tho month of tho Niagara River and piling it up in a solid mas?. Tho force of it was ao great that soon the outlot of Lako Erie was so completely nhoked up that little or no water could pass. Soon all" the water below the barrier had passed over tho falls, aud when tho inhabitants awoke the next morning a weird spectacle met their gaze. Tho roaring, tumbling rapids abovo the fullrf were almost obliterated, and nothing but tho cold, black rock waa visible anywhere. Crowds of spectators witnessed this sight, aud the banks on either sido of the river were lined with people all day long until tho ico in the Like was released from its position, and the wull of waters returned to tho usual course.