The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-13
A 55O-FOOT JUMP.
The Project of a Crank to Leap from the TOp
of the Washington Monument.

Aho EoJScI OI u FRANK 10 Leap from Ine Top
of the Washington Monument
Washington Special.
Did you ever leap from a very high place.
and do you know what the sensation is during
the passagel"
This was asked by a middle-aged man who,
with hundreds of others, was wandering through
the monument grounds few days ago.
replied that had no such experience.
Then you have something to learn" he said.
Have had it, Yes; but 1 am not satisfied 1
intend to jump from the top of that monument.
It's more than 800 feet high they say l never
| leaped from higher place than one hundred
and ten or twenty feet. 1t from the mast
of a vessel / don't know exactly how many
feet it was Did it hurt mel No, not great
deal struck feet foremost in the
water and went under I don't know how far,
but good ways, for they had time to reach
me after L came up, little dazed, but amply
paid by the delights of the sensation during the
passage. knew man who jumped from
higher place, and was much injured that he
died; but he didn't understand it, and struck
hard on the water 1t requires skill and cool
ness to do the thing rightly. Captain Luce,
admiral, went down forty or fifty feet under the
water when the Arctic sank But that was not
a leap. He was carried down by the suck when
the ship made the plunge 1t was altogether
different experience He could not help himself,
and had little chance to note how he felt He
had his little son in his arms at the time, and
that took up his attention, no doubt and the I'M
happy circumstance of the little fellow being
STRUCK Oeau from MS arms DIV q tlmOer WheQ
they rose probably drove from his mind all recol
lection of what must have been the agreeable
sensation of going down so far into the depth of
the ocean. Luce told me that it was terrible
rather than agreeable experience. Tt was
not like jumping from high place. perform
ance attended by sensations which nothing else
can produce Things of accident and design are
always attended by different sensations you
know. l have been looking good while for a
place to take great leap, and have travelled
long distance to survey the monument with the
view to jumping off The distance from the top
would give plenty of opportunity for enjoying
the sensation of falling greater distance than
any man has ever fallen"
But you would be killed and never relate
your experience orenjoy an instants recollection
of the sensation"
"Yes, that's true perhaps, but I would have
all the delight while was falling, just the same.
That's what l want. 1t would compensate me.
We all strive for pleasures which have an ending
after longer or shorter time. 1 fancy that the
intensity is proportional always to the distance.
Don't you2"
The mans earnestness increased, and he as
sumed an air of mystery. He resumed:
But ! may not be killed. Indeed, donl
mean to be. If l were 1 would not care Did l
know l should I would take the leap all the same.
No man goes into battle faces any danger
without some hope of coming out safe Gener-
ally he makes provisions to that end, which how
ever faulty, affords him hope. 1 will do the
same I've got contrivance, similar to an
brella, and easy cane to carry, which sprung
at the right instant, will land me like bird
whose wings lets it come down from any height
in perfect safety. l have never used it, but l
believe it will work. If it don't it will matter
little. will have the supreme pleasure of jump
ing from the monument. and in the passage to
the earth experience the most delightful sensa
tons that man has ever had"
That the man was upset in his mind was evil
dent l encouraged him to proceed, remarking
that as the monument was about completed.
he might be deprived of the coveted opportunity
to make the leap. He said
II was detained on the way. I intended to
make the leap about the last thing before the
workmen left the top. l was here in time for it.
but could not get the chance My idea was to
have General Casey employ me in some capacity
that would take me to the top, and at the last
moment make the leap in sight of the assembled
multitude. But the General said he had no use
for me, and declined to give me the necessary
permit to go up visitor. But l shall do it
yet I'll find way. 1t is not to immortalize
myself, or anything of that kind, that have in
view but solely the ecstasy of the the fall of $50
feet to the earth-savng the few feet after have
spread my contrivance for letting me down easy
as l have said, to the utter extinction of
vitality which would otherwise ensue. General
Casey will miss great opportunity if he don't
Jump off, as his concluding act in the construc-
ton. 1t would be an immense feat. If the last
man the outside, when he removes the last
stick of the scaffoding, instead of crawling
through the opening to come down outside don't
jump he will be fool"
l suggested that the Capitol dome would be a
good place to practice at leapng
No" said he lit wouldn't do at all. I've
examined it. There are too many obstacles
It's the sheer leap of $50 feet that will give the
sensations want to enjoy. 1t takes ten or
twelve minutes to be hoisted up inside of the
monument | would expect to come down in
less than half minute. Think what would be
crowded into that brief space of time-the exhi
aration, the ecstacy of falling from such a
height l will do it yet. 1t will be something |
will have all to myself, whether light like bird
or am crushed into jelly"
To the question when he expected to take the
leap, he said: Il mean to do it on dedication
day, Feb p. L will find a way by that time
Once the top, and those openings not
stopped, am sure to make the leap. If l have
to wait ten years l will do it. l was born to do
it. What greater thing is there in this worldl
man drew near and in low voice. with strange
deliberation added: 'fIf l don't do it, if they
don't let mel will blow up the monument with
dynamite. I've got it ready. | know the open
ing where charge can be placed that will
bring the monument down to the last stone.
The work of thirty-fve years Will tumble to the
ground in five seconds It's the sensation | seek
the sensation of leap from the monuments
top. If am deprived of that, III have the salts
faction of seeing the monument come down.
That will be the next best thing to the leap. III
do it! I'll do i'll Aha!"
At that the man made off at a rapid pace and
] have not seen him since
Perhaps the Monumental Association, at the
head of which is Mr. Corcoran, or General
Casey. who has the superintendent of whatever
relates to the monument, had better look out for
cranks.