Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-09-03
4 LEAP TO SAVE LIFE,
The EFroism or Frank NeumaDn, who Drag
gcd "A Boy From Telegraph-Wirc.
Nav NnrE ITaraId

New \ OTk lierdld.I
Johnny MackntOvCr is a chubby LITTLE
fellow OF seven years. vino lives with hi,
parents ut No. IA Hester street. Ad
Joining the house is slX-stOry factory on
tie southeast corner of Hester and Elizl-
hCthl streets. The factory has fiat roof,
which on Sundays is a resort for the people
Of the neighborng houses, being easily
accessible 10y ladder from their own roofs.
Yesterday morning about - o'clock John
ny Mack ntover was flying kite On the
roof OF the factory. Beginning at one end
Of the long building he ran with his kite
the entire length. Most OF the way he ran
backward, pulling the kite after him. So
absorbed was he that nc ran too far, and
striking bis heels on the low guard that
bounds the root, he fell over the edge on
the Elizabeih-sireet side, turning over and
over in the air az h. fell.
Luckily for Johnny The telegraph-wires
at This point are very high above the street,
and the boy, after falling about ten feet, by
good fortune that was hardly less than
miracle, caught one OF the lower wires in
his hands and hung there. about fifty feet
above the ground. There was no other
wire within his reach.
DANGLING IL THE AIR.
4 few persons had seen the little fellow
fall. and in Il moment crowd had gath
cred. Unable TO render the slightest a.
siStance the people stood paralyzed with
horror, gazing up at the boy dangling be-
tween heaven and earth. Not n cry ca
capped the lads lips.
"Hold on tight, and III save you,"
cried Frank Neum mn, youth of eighteen
years, who lives in the same house with
Johnny. He had been lying on the top OF
the house, and, attracted by the noise, he
ran TO the edge Of the roof. Young Neu-
mann took In the situation at a glance,
noting that Johnny hung nearly opposite
the hre-escape. But the fire-escape ex.
tended only TO the fifth story and not 10
the roof. Without losing moment Neu-
mann clambered over the edge OF the roof.
and, supporting himteli by his fingers on
The narrow line OF brick outside the guard,
hung directly over the fire-cscape.
"Oh. Frank cried the lad, ado hurry
up II you're going to do anything. can't
stand this any more. I'm going to dror."
"Hold on tight minute longer and III
be there !! " shouted Neumsnn.
DESPERATE LEAP TO SAVE LIFE.
Swinging his body backward and for
ward IKE pendulum, he cleared the wall
and let go his hold. Like an arrow he shot
down through the trap In the tire-escspe
at the nth floor. and caught with his hands
the iron rounds OF the ladder between the
fourth and 1fth stories.
A loud cheer went up from The crowd in
the street. 1t was fearful leap, but sue.
cessiul one.
you'll have TO move lively, Frank" !
said the boy. ~ must let 20 ~
just one moment yet" said the young |
man. He got precsrious hold on the lad |
ier with his feet and one arm, and leaned
lar out so that he could just grasp the lads
wrist. Then he drew him In amid the
beers OF the crowd. Taking the boy in
iis arms he descended the ladder until be
cached the third floor, when bis strength
slled him and he LET go his hold, dropping
With the boy 10 the ground. Neither was
'uit. Then the crowd shouted itself
Ioarse.
The little fellows face was white.
Frank. wouldn't try that again II was
ou," was all he said. Then he ran away
nd hid himself In a cellar, where he re.
'rafb.
Frank Ncumanu about month ago
iyed the life OF n man who had fallen from
Hueson-river steamboat.
Il