May 1891.] 



AND OOLOGIST. 



Horrible Fate. 



.JOHN C. CAIIOOX MEETS nE.VTII AT NEW- 

 FOUNDLAND — FALLS A TERRIBLE 

 DISTANCE TO THE ROCKS BELOW. 



Wlieu the news flashed from the far North 

 that John C. Cahoon had been killed by falling 

 from a cliff, the blow fell heavily upon all who 

 knew him. With painful suspense we im- 

 mediately cabled St. .Tohns, N. F , {or confir- 

 mation, and received reply, " Report correct." 

 Then came a special dispatch to the liostnn 

 Hfrrild as follows: 



up for the boys to see, put them in his pocket 

 an<l commenced to make the ascent. 



" The cliff was an overhani^iiif!; one, and as 

 he went up his body swayed considerably. At 

 the top the rope bore upon the cliff, and it 

 would appear as if he was unable to get his 

 fingers between the rope and the rock to acquire 

 a hold. He could make no headway. The 

 rope, though knotted and looped, gave him no 

 support. He began to slip downward. 



" He appeared to fold the rope in his arms, 

 as if the palms of his hands were burnt by the 

 friction. His descent became more rapid. He 

 couldn't land on the shelf from whirli he ba I 



" Halifax, N. S., April 27. ISiil. The body 

 of .John C. Cahoon of Taunton, Mass., the 

 young American naturalist, arrived on the 

 Nova Scotian to-day from St. John's. He was 

 killed at Shag Roost, wliile hanging over a 

 cliff gathering eggs from a crow's nest.* 



" He was rowed to the spot in a dory by two 

 boys, landed with a rifle and rope, and by 

 means of a detour gained the summit of the 

 cliff, 200 feet above the sea. The boys in the 

 boat saw him take off his coat, watch and 

 boots, and descend by the rope to the shelf of 

 rock upon which the nest was built. 



" He quickly secured four eggs and bcbl tbcm 



* Probably Raven's. 



taken the eggs. Faster and faster the poor 

 feUow slid downward, till the end of the rope, 

 which swayed loosely .50 feet above the sea, 

 was reached. 



"His legs struck against the cliff, the rope 

 jerked outward from the contact, and the 

 unfortunate young man fell backward down to 

 the strand. His body bounded from the rocks 

 and fell into the sea. The water in the locality 

 was red from blood. The body was recovered 

 next day." 



Numerous were the friends that called at 

 this office and deep was the sorrow at 

 "Johnny's" fate. 



Three days later a copy of tiie Erenin;/ 



