Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-02-21
DOWN TO DEATH.

An insane Man Jumps From the Dome
Of the Capitol "a WashingtOn-He
Falls I7O Feet aud is FearfaIly Man
sIed.
Washington Republican, Feb. 1s.
Many men have been foolish enough, at
| different times; to conceive the idea that
for a man to win greatness no easier way
was presentable than TO do deed Of daring
that would strike terror to the hearts Of a
community. One Of the deeds most fre
quently suggested, but less likely Of being
committed, was that Of jumping from the
dome Of the Capitol to the ground below,
a distance Of nearly three hundred feet. 1t
was never supposed that a man
in his sane senses would ever
attempt such an exploit, as the odds
for life were fearfully unbalanced in the
scale Of chances. Still the attempt was
made yesterday, about ] o'clock, and
with the result that might have been ex-
pected, the trah, when found. being an al
most unacceptable mass Of clothing,
blood and bones. An hour previous to
making the leap he had been seen by a tel
egraph operator on the roofs about the main
building, climbing light ladders and max
ing dangerous ventures toward the caves,
but acting in a manner to indicate that he
possessed strong nerves and perfect control
over himself Not having time to spend
in watching him, the electrician proceeded
to attend 10 his business
afterwards he Quilted to the UPPER out
side gallery that eneircles the crest Of the
dome at the base Of the pedestal to the
statue Of the Goddess of Liberty. Taking
view Of the different sections of the city,
which this point commands, he finally halt
ed on the east side directly over the main
entrance. Here ne first attracted the no
tice Of a coachmau mounted on tie box Of
bis carriage, which was situated on the
roadway near the east park, by climbing
upOa<ke railing Of the balcony. He was
seen to assume an upright position, look
around, then gather himself and shoot
out into the space intervening between
where be stood and the ground. He turned
as ne descended and came head foremost,
soon striking the iron eOrnice Of the lower
gallery, which forced him off on the iron
braces beneath, and also show marks OF
blood where he hit in passing. He then
landed head first on the copper roof of the
main building, a distance Of about 10 feet
from where he started. Information Of the
fact was Immediately given to Capt. S 5.
Blackford, chief Of the Capitol police, 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 straighted out and re-
moved TO a small space near the room
where the electric batteries for lighting the
dome are stationed, and lCft to await the
arrival Of COfOner ID. q. Patterson, who
had been notified. The body presented a /
horrible sight 10 gaze upon. The head had
been completely crushed in, and one
side Of the face was perfectly fiat; a deep
cut, splitting the skull, traversed across the !
head aJOIt the right eye, and through !
which portions Of the brain we're pro- |
truding. One eve had sprung from the |
socket, and appeared ready to drop out. |
The nose was crushed fiat, all the teeth 1
gone but one, some loose IN the mouth, |
and the tongue cut and bleeding. The |
right shoulder was broken, also the arm. !
The neck had been driven into the body, |
and the head appeared resting between the |
two shoulders. About the physiOgnOmy |
and clothing was prOfusiOn Of blood that /
assisted in making up the sickeuing sight. !
At the inquest, Mr.. Edward Mcmahon, /
an intelligent looking Irishman, came in, /
and after examining the body, recognized |
it as that Of his son, James Mcmahon. He |
stated that the deceased was born in Ire |
land, but had been in this country about /
fifteen years, a. in this city six years. !
He was a carpenter by trade, but had de- I
cided to study for the ministry, and with /
that view had been attending a Catholic I
theological institute in Baltimore. The 4
father IN charge Of the institution /
thought him studying too assiduOGsly and 1
everlasting his brain, and suggested that i
he return home, take a temporary relaxa-
ton from the studies, and seek rest and /
quiet. His sanity has never been the sub
jet Of conversation between his parents, 4
although at times his father noticed, in !
talking, that his sentences were discOn-
nected, and he was somewhat rambling in 1
his speech. He was not addicted to drink
ing, and no cause eoUld be assigned for the /
act unless he vas temporarily insane.