Column by Don Glynn —
If you’re not convinced about the unpredictability of Western New York weather, consider that this area was experiencing temperatures in the mid-40s on the 100th anniversary of the ice bridge tragedy in the gorge.
It was a Sunday, Feb. 4, 1912, when hundreds of local residents as well as visitors were enjoying the unmatched winter beauty of the majestic cataracts, the ice-coated trees in the parklands, and the thick ice bridge spanning the river directly below the falls.
In those days, it was common practice for concessionaires to set up shanties — not quite as upscale as those installed a century later for the Holiday Market on Old Falls Street — to sell booze, hot dogs and a variety of souvenirs not made in China or Japan.
That Sunday, visitors flocked onto the ice bridge that authorities later estimated was nearly 50 feet thick in places. No one on that brisk, bright day seemed to show any fear that Mother Nature was preparing to pull the plug.
The story has been relived hundreds of times.
A Toronto couple, Eldridge and Clara Stanton, had left their hotel in mid-morning and joined hundreds of other Prospect Park visitors exploring the breathtaking scenery.
About noon, many tourists returned to their hotels for warmth and a luncheon break from their sightseeing. By that time, only the Stantons and two teenagers, Ignatius Roth and Burrell Hecock, and veteran riverman William “Red” Hill Sr., were among the small group out on the “bridge.”
Shortly before noon, doomsday struck.
Within seconds, huge chunks started to break away, swirling toward the rapids downstream.
“Red” Hill dashed for the Canadian shore, hollering back at the others to follow.
Roth and Hecock started to scramble too but the latter suddenly responded to Eldridge’s call for help. Roth ended up closer to the shore where Hill tossed a rope to pull him ashore.
That left the trio, Hecock and the Stantons bound for the rapids against staggering odds of a rescue.
Niagara Parks historian Sherman Zavitz the last chance were the ropes which police and firefighters lowered from the Cantalever Bridge and the parallel Whirlpool Rapids Bridge.
The massive floe on which the three were standing started to split into two sections, Zavitz wrote, leaving the Stantons stranded on one piece and Hecock on the other.
He managed to grab one of the ropes — firemen started hauling him up — but with his fingers frozen, he lost his grip and was unable to hang on.
As the Stantons arrived at the Cantilever Bridge, Eldridge snatched a rope and started tying it around his wife’s waist. The ice, however, was moving too quickly. Eldridge has to let go of the rope.
A reporter described the last scene: Eldridge raised Clara to her feet, kissed her and clasped her in his arms. Both were kneeling when they vanished in the shattered ice floe.
•••
FOOTNOTE: As most people are aware, anyone venturing out from shore onto ice in the lower Niagara River — not a concern at present — would face arrest and a stiff fine. Police patrolling both sides of the river strictly enforce the law.
The “I-just-wanted-to-get-a-good-photo” excuse will not stand up in court.
•••
ACROSS THE BORDER: A Russian consortium has purchased the 62-year-old Niagara Falls, Ont., Memorial Arena, once the home of the Niagara Falls Flyers and the Thunder, Major Junior ‘A’ hockey teams.
Countless hockey fans from both sides of the river often packed the arena on Friday nights to watch the young stars destined to play in the NHL.
Among them: Bobby Orr, Wayne Gretzky and Derek Sanderson, to name a few.
•••
RISKY MOVE: Overheard in the Orange Cat, Center Street, Lewiston: “Did you know they have ATMs in jails now so criminals can arrange bail money? Do you think they look around while they’re using the machine, looking for shady characters? — a customer.
Don Glynn
Related Photos
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Glynn
GLYNN: Slim chance now for a real thick ice bridge
- Don Glynn
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GLYNN: Gillibrand seeks help for prime bread-winners
A recent report shows that working mothers across the Empire State earn nearly 15 percent lower pay for the same work as men.
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GLYNN: Falls, Ont., rolls out red carpet for Wallenda
Before Nik Wallenda even started practicing his high-wire routine in downtown Niagara Falls, state Sen.George D. Maziarz, R-Newfane, had noted the warm welcome the tightrope walker received across the river.
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GLYNN: Graduates find they’re in staggering debt
Countless senior citizens often gripe about something, sometimes even with good reason. Perhaps they should consider themselves fortunate, compared with the younger generation.
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GLYNN: All eyes on Seneca casino plaza
There’s a new breed of sidewalk superintendents in downtown Niagara Falls.
Unlike the typical work site — watching hardhats skillfully putting steel beams in place — all eyes Saturday were glued to tightrope artist Nick Wallenda strolling on a 2-inch cable linked to two giant construction cranes.
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GLYNN: Where Wallenda starts walk still up in the air
Which way will Nik Wallenda walk?
Will he begin his highly touted tightrope performance June 15 at Terrapin Point on Goat Island and proceed past the Horseshoe Falls to his destination near the Table Rock House? Or will he start from the Canadian side and stroll to the U.S.
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GLYNN: Age not an issue for Slaughter
Rep. Louise M. Slaughter, D-Fairport, whose district previously included the Niagara area, may be sidelined with a broken leg but she hasn’t lost her sense of humor.
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GLYNN: Politics front and center in state park
If you watched that press conference from Prospect Park on Wednesday, you may have first wondered what it was all about.
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GLYNN: Cuomo coy on future plans
It was a page out of the past last week when a reporter asked Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo a familiar question.
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GLYNN: Ex-private eye helps in dog tags mystery
Over the years Paul Austin of Ransomville has often walked along the Lake Ontario shoreline north of Old Fort Niagara in Youngstown.
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GLYNN: Press corps dean plans Cuomo book
Whenever there’s talk that someone is writing a book about a high-profile public servant (e.g. a governor), it gives rise to speculation there’s more to the subject than what meets the eye.
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