The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-01
sTEEpLE CLIMB NC IN CINCINNATI.
Venturesoyne WOrkmen--TwO Hundred and
seyenty.Gve Feet Above the sitrects-An
Awe-iuspirinQ Scene,
from tlle Cincinnati Chronicle, June 27.l

Awc-insplring Sceues
From the Cincinnati Chronicle, June 27l
''NOt for milll0n-not for CinCinnatl-nOt for all
the gold In the world would anybody get me 10 go up
there. II should undertake the like o. that ia fan
well paid for such rIsksn Such expressions one
might hear on Fourth street on Saturday, from
Broadway TO Central avenue, which is certainly long
enough distance, and, doubtless, from many an
upper story window both north aud south OF this
line, when commanded q view OF the tall steeple
whose heaven-poinling finger Is 275 feet above the
base OF tue church Yesterday morning and yesterday
afternoon EXCAVATIONS OF the same nature might be
heard nom The quarters above named. The asscver-
atoms were sometimes Vigorously Qualified, always
sIroDg, anu III most evidently backed by strong
emotions. The eyes OF the speakers were directed
Upward. Inc lockers often held TO banisters, bit
OF railing, door facing or a window guard, ana
frequently drew short breatls.
1le locus or these multltudinous eyes was man
ciinb ny the spire OF the First Presbyterian church
IA TACT, three men were engaged In the ascent; but
inc one VINO for the time was IN the balance be.
tween i.ie and death commanded the sympathy Of
the crowd. These same three brave fellows made
the ascent OF the cathedral spire only few weeks
since, aud OF them stood on the tip top OF the
cross that terminates that beautiful bit OF archltec.
ture, 225 feet above terra Ryin0 There the feat
seemed wonderful, and SO u Wa put lar less tlmo
neeu not be told the reason.
terrain church spre was commenced. Yesterday, ut
hali-past twelve O'clock 1t was completed. Eighty
Ave feet below the tip OF the index finger, in which
me splre eliminates, scadold was butt from the
topmoat louvre windows in the octagonai portion OF
INC splre, on tne sue laCng Fourth street, The
platform OF III: afforded q base Of operations. A
sixteen foot ladder WAS placed upon IL and leaned
asainst the spire. Ono man stood at the base OF
this, the other assembled IT, flung ropesaround the
spire and fastened the top OF the ladder. Down
came our climber ike squirrel, took up
another siXteen-foot ladder to the top OF the
liist. splced it with ropes and made the
TWO as one, with the top resting against
u heavy ring noldlng. How that was done was
wonder, all the more startling when one considers
that IN the splice the top OF the ladder number one
had to he pulled Two feet from It's resting place
against the spire. Tie top Of this secured, the bot.
tom oi another ladder was lashed TO the middle Of
.ne sphced one, while Its top, IN line perpendicu.
lar above It's base touched the big rim modng, the
severe point OF the ascent. While the people below
beheld and uembled the little climbed straight
to the top OF this trembling unsteady ladder aud
dashed IL last. From now Oil the ascent was perpen-
dicuiar but the worst was over. One after another
was added to the long line OF ladders until Elk were
joined together, and the top OF The tOpm0st was on
Lowell Win the knuckles Of the great golden hand.
In was accomplished ut nom yesterday. A rest
anu dinner were taken.
After Eoon our stceple climber went to the top or
the topmOst ladder, stepped upon the golden
knuckies, stood upright, held to The index finger
win one hand, ana reaching upward with the other
put his hat upon The top OF the lightning rod and
there cIt 1t while he came down and crept into the
steepie. The people pei0H were TOO much awed to
cheer. Expressions OF wonder and admiration for
the almost sublime performance were frequent and
hearty The object OF ali this is TO replace rusty
lightning rod by new one. 1be feat is not to be
seen three time In America, for 1t Is said the United
States mas but Une higher spire.