- Joel R. Robinson
The history of the navigation of the Rapids of Niagara may be appropriately concluded in this chapter, which is devoted to a notice of the remarkable man who began it, who had no rival and has left no successor in it—Joel R. Robinson. In the summer of 1838, while some extensive repairs were being made on the main bridge to Goat Island, a mechanic named Chapin fell from the lower side of it into the rapids, about ten rods from the Bath Island shore. The swift current bore him toward the first small island lying below the bridge. Knowing how to swim, he made a desperate and successful effort to reach it. It is hardly more than thirty feet square, and is covered with cedars and hemlocks. Saved from drowning, he seemed likely to fall a victim to starvation. All thoughts were then turned to Robinson, and not in vain. He launched his light red skiff from the foot of Bath Island, picked his way cautiously and skillfully through the rapids to the little island, took Chapin in and brought him safely to the shore, much to the relief of the spectators, who gave expression to their appreciation of Robinson's service by a moderate contribution. - Fall of Table Rock
On the 25th of June, 1850, occurred the great downfall which reduced Table Rock to a narrow bench along the bank. The portion which fell was one immense solid rock two hundred feet long, sixty feet wide, and one hundred feet deep where it separated from the bank. The noise of the crash was heard like muffled thunder for miles around. Fortunately it fell at noonday, when but few people were out, and no lives were lost. The driver of an omnibus, who had taken off his horses for their midday feed, and was washing his vehicle, felt the preliminary cracking and escaped, the vehicle itself being plunged into the gulf below. - The Horseshoe Fall from Goat Island
A more correct estimate of the cataract than either of the preceding is that of M. Charlevoix, sent to Madame Maintenon, in 1721. After referring to the inaccurate accounts of Hennepin and La Hontan, he says: "For my own part, after having examined it on all sides, where it could be viewed to the greatest advantage, I am inclined to think we cannot allow it [the height] less than one hundred and forty or fifty feet." As to its figure, "it is in the shape of a horseshoe, and it is about four hundred paces in circumference. It is divided in two exactly in the center by a very narrow island, half a quarter of a league long." In relation to the noise of the falling water, he says: "You can scarce hear it at M. de Joncaire's [Fort Schlosser], and what you hear in this place [Lewiston] may possibly be the whirlpools, caused by the rocks which fill up the bed of the river as far as this." - George Washington
George Washington - The World as known shortly before the sailing of Columbus
The World as known shortly before the sailing of Columbus - Correct chart of westward route from Europe to Asia, for comparison with the chart of Columbus
Correct chart of westward route from Europe to Asia, for comparison with the chart of Columbus - Columbus watching for land
Columbus watching for land - Map of 1515
Map of 1515, showing what some geographers then supposed North America to be. This is one of the earliest maps on which the name America occurs. It will be notices that at that time it was confined to South America. - De Soto's Expedition 1539-1542
De Soto's Expedition 1539-1542 The outlines and names of states are given for convenience in tracing De Soto's course. - Section of Frobisher's Map of the World
Section of Frobisher's map of the world, 1576. Copied from Hakluyt. It shows what the English explorer thought America was. - Snow-shoes
The most ingenious work of the Indians was seen in the moccasin, the snow-shoe and the birch-bark canoe. The moccasin was a shoe made of buckskin, - durable, soft, pliant, noiseless. It was the best covering for a hunter's foot that human skill ever contrived. The snow-shoe was a light frame of wood, covered with a network of strings of hide, and having such a broad surface that the wearer could walk on snow in the pursuit of game. Without it the Indian might have starved in a severe winter, since only by its use could he run down the deer at that season. - Indian gravestone showing the totem of the Turtle
Socially, the Indian had less liberty than the white man. He was bound by customs handed down from his forefathers. He could not marry outside his tribe. He could not sit in whatever seat he chose at a council. He could not even paint his face any color he fancied; for a young who had won no honors in battle would no mor ehave dared to decorate himself like a veteran warrior than a private soldier in the United States army would venture to appear at parade in the uniform of a major-general. Each tribe had a "totem", ot badge to designate it. The "totem" was usually the picture of some animal. The totem was also used as a mark on gravestones, and as a seal. - Map showing the first settlements made on the Eastern coast of North America
Map showing the first settlements made on the Eastern coast of North America - Mother talking to a careless girl
Mother talking to a careless girl - Two boys eyeing some apples on a tree
Two boys eyeing some apples on a tree - Two girls skipping along
Two girls skipping along - Two little girls sitting on the grass
Two little girls sitting on the grass - A lady and an unhappy little girl walking along in their winter outfits
A lady and an unhappy little girl walking along in their winter outfits - An old lady talking to a young lady and a little girl
An old lady talking to a young lady and a little girl - Four little girls and a boy
Four little girls and a boy - Lady pulling two girls in a wagon
Lady pulling two girls in a wagon