Rochester, Monroe, NY

Democrat & Chronicle

Sat May 30, 1885

 

NIAGARA'S LAST VICTIM

 

A Showman Out of Luck Leaps to His Death in the Awful Chasm

 

Niagara Falls, May 29 - Thomas McCOMB, of Welland, Ont., is, or was, the leader and proprietor of McCOMBS Merry Minstrels, a troupe of negro minstrel performers who have lately been traveling through Canada, exhibiting in the smaller cities and towns, until, as the report goes, they became financially embarrassed. McCOMB, who was about 45 or 50 years of age and a man of considerable business ability and intelligence, has for the past four or five days been stopping at one of the hotels at Clifton, on the Canadian side, and during his stay has been more or less under the influence of liquor much of the time. It is supposed that his dissipation was induced by his bad luck in business. As he has a wife and children, his friends became anxious in their behalf and insisted on trying to induce him to return home. All efforts were unavailing, however, as he seemed determined to continue his spree. This forenoon, about 10 o'clock, a friend was walking with him along the river bank, just below the new suspension bridge, again urging him to return to his family. In his earnestness the friend took hold of his arm and endeavored to draw him along. McCOMB seemed to lose all reason at the effort and suddenly broke away from his friend, rushed madly to the verge of the bank and took the terrible leap into the awful chasm below. He fell over 100 feet before he touched any obstacle. Then he struck, head downward, upon a rock, crushing in his skull and breaking his neck. His horrified friend soon summoned assistance, but life was of course extinct when his remains were reached. The coroner at Clifton is engaged in holding an inquest upon the case to-night and adjourned to Wednesday next week when a verdict of suicide will of course be rendered. McCOMB is well known by the theatrical and amusement fraternity throughout Canada.

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DIED

 

ANGLE - In this city, on the afternoon of the 27th of May, 1885, of consumption, Morris B. ANGLE, aged 24 years.

-Funeral from St. Patrick's cathedral at 9 o'clock this (Saturday) morning. Friends are invited.

 

HAIGHT - In this city, May 28, 1885, at his residence, 46 Elizabeth street, Isaac HAIGHT, aged 85 years and 8 months.

-Funeral from the house to-morrow (Sunday) afternoon at 3 o'clock. The burial will be private.

 

STANLEY - At Parma Center, May 13, 1885, Thomas STANLEY, aged 57 years and 6 months.

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