The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1870-05-17
A PeriIOuS Eeaf.

Few persons have ever passed the Ca;
thedral, at the corner of Eighth and
Plum streets, without admiring its tall
and beautiful spire which stretches heav-
onward with such rare symmetry and
architectural elegance. From the foun-
dation of the edilice to the top Of that
handsome spire the distance is exactly
two hundred and twenty-five feet Not
so wonderful, it is true, but if the idea
Of climbing up to the top of that spire
and sitting on the cross thereof ever.
presented itself to ones mind: we wager
that the bare thought produced shud-
| der.
But that very feat was performed yes
terday. For some time past the light
ming rod attached to the spire has been
out of order, and some repair became
necessary to render the steeple safe. The
contract for this work was let out to Mr.
j. r. Weston who promptly took the
job in hand, and assisted by two work
men, John Sherrell and Milton Camp
bell, proceeded yesterday afternoon to.
fulfill the same, About three o'clock
the trio began the work of scaling tho
steeple. Beginning at the base, just
above the face of the clock, they began
erecting short ladders, one upon the top
Of another.
AS soon as one ladder was placed id
position and firmly lashed to the steeplc,
another was attached to the top, and SO
on in this way the bold workmen pro-
ceeded until the very summit of the spirc
was reached. Some ninety feet of lad
ders were used in this way. AS soon as
the perilous ascent began a crowd COM
menced assembling in the street below
and by the time the men of nerve had
reached the top some five or six hun,
drel spectators had gathered about the
corner of Eighth and Plum, all watch
ing with breathless anxiety. At this juno
ture the interest became intense.
Reaching the very apex of the steeple,
one of the men crawled up on the cross
which surmounts it and stood upon its
very top. The other two stood beside
him upon the transverse beam of the.
cross. The central figure, holding to
the slender lightning rod, proceeded to
remove the point or replace it with. a
new one, while at the same time he adj.
justed the insulators, and did such other
work as was necessary. The crowd IN
the street watched the man on the dizzy
height, with but one misstep between him
and eternity,and were perfectly Mortified.
1t made the blood curdle to contemplate
the danger which surrounded the man
in the clouds, as it were, and of all the
crowd, he, perhaps, was the only one
who was free from fear and trembling.
Many turned away pale and sick with
the excitement and strange emotions
produced by the sight.
Having completed his work, the bold
artisan and his companions quietly be-
gan the descent with as much gravity
and composure as if they had only clim-
bed 10 the top of a sugar -hogshead on
terra trina, and after due time reached
the ground in safety. There was sigh
of relief when the crowd beheld them in
security once more, and while there was
scarcely one there who would have gone
to the top of that cross for the church
full of gold, these dauntless, self COM
posed fellows strutted about with swell
hing pride equal to that which animates
the bosom of one who has conquered q
kingdom. The work was Cot compile
ted yesterday, and the two will brave
death again this morning. Those who
are fond of witnessing such perilous
feats should attend the free show.-Cin.
Eng, 10M inst.