Heroism / Two Sides of the Story
On September 24th, 1892, Mrs. Grimason and some friends from Toronto were crossing the upper suspension bridge to Canada. At about 60 yards from the Canadian side of the bridge, a carriage approached from behind and Mrs. Grimason stepped onto the pedestrian walk. As she did this, she stumbled, fell forward and went underneath the railing. It was truly amazing that she caught on one of the girders. The Reverend Mr. Ramsey went straight over the side of the bridge, down a guidewire to the cable where Mrs. Grimason was caught in the girders.
At that time, Harry Williams was standing in front of the Cliff House which was located on the river bank, and he heard Mrs. Grimason scream. [The Cliff House was later renamed. It became the Queen's Hotel and in 1927, it was moved to its current location on St. Paul Avenue in Niagara Falls, Ontario.] Harry had also seen the clergyman go over the railing. He ran out and got onto the girder. The minister was frozen with nervousness and could only stare down at the water. Harry advised the minister not to look down. By now, a rope had been thrown and Harry asked the minister to catch it. The minister was hanging on with both hands and he replied that he didn't dare to let go. Harry lowered himself and caught the rope with his foot. He was assisted by Mr. Huntley who also came down and helped Harry to hoist Ramsey out of the way so that those holding the ropes from above could lift Mrs. Grimason.
Williams and Huntley raised the clergyman up until the people on the bridge could lift him. Harry Williams received a medal from the Royal Humane Society. It was engraved with these words: "To Harry Williams for aiding in the rescue of Mrs. Grimason, on the Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge, September 24th, 1892."
This was how the story was reported in Canada, but in the Royal Magazine from London, England, the story took on a slightly different tone.
An account of the event from the Royal Magazine of London, England