National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-02-18

Sam Patch WAS probably one OF the greatest
jumpers known to the American people, and
might have lmmortallzed himself for courage
and daring had not misfortune Overtaken him in
his ambitious career and brought him to an early
EraYe At GGnesee Falls, Rochester, N. y, he
made his final leap, in which he jumped from
life into the world beyond, Leaf that has un-
dOubtedly been accomplished by man previously,
but not IN the manner chosen by the Intrepid
VRulter. This temptation 10 win fame by one
glorious burst Of strength and bravery, II Rp-
pears, was not confined TO Patch or permitted to
die with MIN and become syRonOmOus with his
name. others aspired Tor renVIn and q national
reputation in deCds Of yHlor. Sergeant hates
cuniUmplated exciting the universe In Walking
and be crowned tho King Of whlklsts by poram.
20 ocean. supporting the American COlors and on.
during unprecedented fatigue and trials for the
smali hUn0rH that might accrue therblfUtn, But
be failed after nnklng short promenade from
NlrkshurU, Hiss, 60 this CITY, becoming disguised
hsCGuFg be waS 19l permitted g plant the col9r'
mounts tho rulundh Of the Capitol,
MANY pltn have been Iopllth enough, a. dil
a. win gfpaiurss no caster WaF was prsspHtahlp
thar tu do deed " dpfing that would stFlkn tor
fuF &" tho hearts q community, ilHe Of the
81 being committed, was thHL ul humping from
the duinu % the Capitol 10 the ground below,
distance ut nearly three hundred feet IL was
never supposed that man IN bis sane senses
would ever attempt such Oh exploit ~ the odds
Tor Tile were taHully oulbalanoed ~ Tue scale Of
chances, sui the attempt Was made yesterday,
about ! Urluck aud with the result that might
have been expected, the mao, when found, being
~ almost unTeuuEnlElbi6 mass Of clothing, blood
EHd bones, An hour previous 10 making the leap
he had been Etun by - telegraph operator on the
roofs about Tie main building. 1ltubnR lUhL
ladders and Ingk lug dangerous ventures toward
the eayes, but acting in manner to indicate
that he possessed sLIUug nerves and perfect cor
troll ever himself, Not having time 10 spend IN
watching hin, the electrician proceeded TO at
tend 10 his business.
Afterwards he mounted to the upper outside
gallery that enciTcles the crest OF the dome at
the base Of the pedestal TO the statue OF the Cd
dess Of Liberty. Taking 4 view OF the different
sections Of the city which this pOiut commands,
he finally halted on tue east side directly over
the main entrance. Here he first attracted the
notice 0! a cuachman mounted on the box Of his
carriage, which was Situated GA the roadway near
the east park by climbing upon the railing of the
balcony. He was seen to assume upright pO-
stiCD. look around, then gather himself and shoot
cut int the space intervening between where he
stood and the ground. He turned as he descended
and came head foremost, soon striking the iron
eoTElce Of the lower gallery, which forced him OF
on the iron braces beneath and also show marks
Of blood where he hit in passing. He then landed
head first on the copper root Of the main building,
distance OF about 10 feet from Whefe he started
Information Of the TACT was Immediately given
TO Capt. ;. 5. B!ackf0rd, chief Of the Capitol pO-
lice, who accompanied by some of his officers, at
once proceeded to the spot. On reaching the roof
they found the man completely doubled up and
life extinct.
He was somewhat Strengthened out and removed
TO a small space near the room where the electric
batteries fer lighting the dome are stationed,
and left to await the arrival Of Coroner d. &.
Patterson, who had been notified. The body pre-
scented horrible sight to gaze upon. The head
had been completely crushed ia and one side of
the face was perfectly fiat; a deep cut splitting
the skull, tTaycrsed across the head about tue
right eye, and through which portions Of the
brain were prOtrUding. Ole eye had sprung
from the socket, and appeared ready 10 drop out.
The nose was crushed hat, all the teeth gone but
one, some loose in the mouth, and the tongue cut
and bleeding. The right shoulder was broken
also the arm. Tho neck had been driven into the
body and the head appeared resting between the
two shoulders. About the phsioZnOmy aud
clothing was a prOuslOn Of blood that assisted In
making up the sickenng sight.
The man appeared 70 be about thirty-hye years
Of age, had light eyes, brown hair, and was about
hve tCet SIX inches in height. His clothing was
coarse and well worn, and gave evidence that he
was laooring man. On his hands were pair Of
huckskin gloves, with the ends Of tho ringers
worn out. In one Of the pockets was found q
pawn ticket, dated yesterday, signed by IIelden.
helmer Co, corner Thirteenth street and Penn
sylVRnia avenue, for n vest, on which sevcnty.nve
cents had been advanced. Tho deed created con.
tIdeTuble excitement about the Capitol, both
Houses Of Congress being 10 session AZ the tlme,
and many persons endCavUred TO obtain a view OF
the unfortunate man, which was permitted In q
number o. Instances, but no one recognized him
previous ~ the arrival Of the coroner.
When be came, which was abod, 2.3D o'clock,
re projected 70 cmpanel Jury preparatory 20
huldiuR the Inquest, and the following gentlemen
were selected for that service =. =. smoOt fore.
man {, S. Draper Howard French, I. A. Wood,
Wesffai O. II e. Ecr HtBorIn H. N; h7'g' J.
Parker and 4. 4. DOOlpy. The evidence received
Was very nehEru, aud was Of little prunt In on.
Tightening the July ~ 10 the cause Of death.
Mrs. WnlIiDF ford testified 60 seeing the man
walking On the roof Of the dome Oh the outside
q the upper gallery, holding on to hg-ralllng.
For EI1IHCnt her attention was attra nted else.
where, aud On again looking at the man she saw
him falling Beygnd this she Was unable to give
any Information.
hbuu, THE time Mr.. Edward Muai ahon. an In.
trllIErni looking lfishBan, gHtns In, AMI after
examining the body recognized II ~ that Of his
~ NfHH Nal Il a hat H. ~
rsRFed vas born IN ireland, but had hesn IN this
country about fifteen yeats and this city sis
teAfFr llH wnH carpenter by trade, but had
decided 10 study for the ministry, aud with that
view had beeh attending Catholic Theological
lttll'uie ~ lHltlmufe. The reverend father IN
charge u the Institution Thought him studying
too httluuuusly HHd overwhelming The bFaiR aud
fugEsElrd that hu return home, take a temporary
TelhKhliGn from HE studies and sssk rest And
quiet, Ne accepted the advice, and came home
Fume three mouths ago, but could not remain
cgn,fnlea idle and finally resumed bis studies
sERin feeling unable "a pFogTsEG, he discontinued
them ieW weeks since, To have q thorough
change he went 10 bis trade and assisted In
on Fourth street, near boundary, which is now
IN the course oi completion, Yesterday morning,
luHl previous 10 leaving the house, lie was noticed
"a place something beneath his coat, which, IL il
pTetumed, was tbs vest paWned at lIs!dsR.
His sanity has TeyeF been the subject of con.
NeTsaliOn between hlE parents, although at tlmgs
hit father noticed, In talking, that his sentences
ling In his speech. He was not addicted to drink
ing, and no cause could be assigned for the act
unless he was temporarily Insane, The father
was deeply Affected while answering the queB.
lions Propounded and had the sympathy OF all
those present In bis terrible addiction. There
being no further Information aooeISlbIe The Jury.
after consultation, rendered the following verdict;
THAT James McMahOn came TO his death about
i:2G o'clock ?; M, on the l7th day OF February,
1870 by jumping from the railIag surrounding tue
thOTlus Of the dome OF the Capitol, while labor.
Ing under temporary alteration Of the mind"
The remains were then turned over TO the be.
TeRyed father, who had them taken to his house
IN y near Fourth street northwest, TO be pre-.
IQFed for iuteFmonf