Niagara Falls 



1872 occurred, at what is known as Gill Creek or Upper Schlosser 

 Landing, about two miles above the Falls, of more than local 

 interest; known iar and wide through the country, as the " Caro- 

 line affair." A small American steamer, called the Caroline, 

 had been employed for several days in transporting men and 

 supplies in connection with an organized military force, com- 

 posed chiefly of American citizens occupying Navy Island, and 

 threatening the invasion of Canada. It being understood that 

 the Steamer was moored at night, at the dock on the American 

 shore, an expedition conducted by Alexander McLeod, left 

 Chippewa in the night, and reaching the American shore unob- 

 served, captured the steamer, leaving one man dead on the dock, 

 and dispersing the crew. The steamer was then towed out into 

 the river, set on fire, and left to drift over the Falls. This high 

 handed act, excited great popular indignation, and for a time 

 seriously threatened the peace of the two countries. In what 

 manner this danger was averted, and friendly relations finally 

 restored, ihe public records of that period will show. 



In 1845, the inclined plane at the ferry, with cars operated 

 by water power, was substituted for the old plan of ladders, and 

 winding stairs previously in use. 



The Railroad to Buffalo was opened in 1 836. The Railroad 

 to Lockport was also opened in 1 836, and extended to Rochester 

 in 1852. The Canandaigua and Niagara Falls Railroad, by 

 way of Batavia, was opened in 1853; and the Erie Junction 

 Railroad in 1871. 



The first Suspension Bridge across the river, was erected in 

 1848, by Charles Ellett, intended only as a temporary work by 

 which to construct the permanent bridge. The present Railroad 

 Bridge was completed in 1855, on the plans and under the per- 

 sonal superintendence of John A. Roebling. . . - 



The new Suspension Bridge, near the Falls, was opened for 

 passage in 1869. 



The first Steamboat launched below the Falls was in 1848, 



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