Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1874-03-20
Selected s53(rfellaup,
A CRAZY BOYS FREAKS.

Tho usually quiet neighborhood of
Decker's Run. settlement four or five
miles back from Cochranton, last week
proved the scene of an exciting occur
renee which created deep sensation
throughout the district. About nine
o'clock on Saturday morning young
boy Of sixteen years named Hallebaugh.
who had for some time previous exhib-
tied symptoms of insanity, suddenly cor
ceived the idea that his friends intended
to kill him, and rushed from the house
toward brush at liltle distance. His
grandfather and uncle vainly pursued
the poor fellow. lie reached the woods
and with tho energy of frenzied despair
began climbing large poplar tree. In
a few moments he reached the topmost
branches, where he looked down from
the dizzy height Of seventy feet upon his
bafiied pursuers The weather was bit
terly cold the fugitive had neither coat
nor mittens, his clothing being rather
scanty at best. How to extricatc him
from his perilous situation quickly became
perpleXlng question.
At length his relatives determined to
make an effort to bring the demcnted
youth safely to the ground, and a couple
Of men assembled the tree for that pur-
pose. But the frightened boy frustrated
this scheme by climbing still higher and
crawling out almost to the end Of frail
looking limb, that swaycd and bent I'M
der its unaccustomed burden. From
this dangerous elevation he delicd all
further attempts at cfecting rescue,
threatening to throw himself hcadlong
upon the earth if not let alone. BY this
time many Of the neigbbors had gath
cred however, none could suggest any
plan Of relief that might hope for sue
cessful issue.
Hours passed away without changing
the scene or terminating the agonizing
suspense Of the assembled scores. His
coat was taken up the tree and left as
near the unfortunate boy as possible. He
finally descended far enough to clutch
the garment, put it on, and again re-
sumed his position on the fragile branch
10 the Mortified spectators it seemed as
if the limb must break every Instant, in
which case they shuddercd to think of
the fatal consequences. The moments
appeared like hours in duration, while
the reckless movements Of the cause Of
all this anxiety continually intensified the
fear of terrible fall, mangled corpse,
and stricken household. y human
life hung by slender twig, liable to snap
without the slightest warning.
1t became painfully evident the boy
would perish from cold if not extricated,
and as the last alternative it was decided
to fell the tree. Stout ropes were fas-
tened high up to let it come down slowly,
willing hands took firm hold, and the
saw was briskIy Piled. The monarch of
the forest succumbed at length amid the
widest demonstrations Of insane delight
from its dazed occupant. The next min
ute waA pregnant with supreme interest
as the tree gradually inclined from the
perpendicular and its top started toward
the solid earth. In spite of the cxertions
of the men holding the ropes it struck
against huge maple, but ere the COLI
sion took place the boy gave one frantic
yell, sprang upoD,a limb Of the maple.
ran to the trunkvith the speed and agility
ola squirrel, and in few brief seconds
bad climbed higher shan before. Here
was an unlocked for circumstance, night
was near at hand, and hope almost died
out in each bosom.
The moon rose clear and bright and
beautiful, the air was crisp and the night
bitterly sharp. Midnight came on apaec.
and still the distracted youth remained
amongst the highest branches Of the leaf