The Mineral argus. [volume] (Maiden, Mont.) 1883-1886, 1885-04-16
A 55O-FOOT JUMP.
The Project Of Crank TO Irap from the Top
OF the Washington Monument


..Did you ever leap from very high
place, and do you know what the SEN
sation is during the passaye?"
This was asked by midd Gagged
man who, with hundreds Of others,
was wandering through the monu-
ment grounds few days ago.
l replied that had no such expert
ence. writes Washington correspond
ent of The New York Sun.
'''rhen you have something to learn"
he said. ''liave I had it? Yes; but
am not satisfied. l intend to jump
from the top Of that monument. It's
more than $50 feet high they say. l
never lcaped from higher place than
40 or l2O feet. 1t was from the mast
of a vessel. don't know exactly how
many feet it was. Did it hurt me?
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 | camo up, a little .azed, but
amply paid by the delights of the SEN
satiOn during tho passage. l knew II
man who jumped from u higher place
and was SO much injured that he died;
but he didn't understand it. and struck
hard on the water. 1t requires skill
and GOODNESS to do the thing rightly.
Capt. Luce, now admiral. went down
forty or fifty feet under the water
when the Arctic sank. But that was
not leap. lie was carried down by
the suction when the ship made the
plunge. 1t was altogether a different
experience. He could not help him
kn4 h. A. l.
he felt. He had his little son in his
arms ut tho time, and that took up his
attention, nO'dOubt, and the unhappy
circumstance of the little fellow being
struck dead from his arms by timber
when they rose probably drove from
his mind all recollection of what must
have been the agreeable sensation Of
going do wn SO far into the depth of the
ocean. Luce told me that it was
terrible rather than an agreeable cx.
perience. II was not like jumping
from high place, q performance at
tended by sensations which nothing
else can produce. Things of accident
and design are always attended by diff
ferent sensations, you know. l have
been looking a good while for place
to take . great leap, and have travelled
q long distance to survey the mOnu-
ment with view to jumping of. The
distance from the top would give
plenty of opportunity for enjoying the
sensation OF falling q greater distance
than any man has ever fallen"
''But you would be killed and never
relate your experience or enjoy an in
stant's recollection of the sensation"
Eyes, that's true, perhaps, but I
would have all the delight while l was
falling. just the same. That's what
want. 1t wou compensate me. We
all strive for pleasures which have an
ending after longer or shorter time.
l fancy that the intensity is proper.
toned always to the distance. Don't
you?"
The mans earnestncss increased,
and he assumed an air Of mystery.
He resumed:
"But may not be killed. Indeed,
/ don't mean to be. II were I would
not care. Did I know l should i
would take the leap all the same. No
man goes into battle or faces any dan
ger without some hope Of coming out
safe. Generally he makes provision to
that end, which, however faulty, at
fOrds him hope. will do the same.
I've got continuance, simple as an
umbrella, and easy as a cane to carry,
which sprung at the right instant. will
land me like a bird, whose wings let
it come down from any height in per-
feet safety. have never used 1t, but
/ believe it will work. II it don't it
will matter little. l will have the SUI
preme pleasure of jumping from the
monument, and in the passage to the
earth experience the most delightful
sensations that man has ever had"
That the man was upset in his mind
was evident. encouraged him to
proceed, remarking that Is the mon
umcnt was about completed he might
be deprived of the coveted opportunity
to make the leap. He said:
IL was detained on the way. in
tended to make the leap about the last
thing before the workmen left the top.
was there in time for it. but could
not get the chance. My idea was to
have Gen. Casey employ me in some
capacity that would take me to the
top, and at the last moment make the
leap in sight of tho assembled multi
tude. But the general said he had no
use for me. and declined to give me
the necessary permit to 60 up as a
visitor. But shall do it yet. I'll find
the way. 1t is not to immOrtalize my
self, or anything Of that kind. that
have in view. but solely the ecstasy OF
the fall of $50 feet to the eaith-savins
the few feet after l have spread the
continuance for letting me down easy,
or, as l have said, to the utter extinc'
ton of vitality which would otherwise
ensuc. Gen. Casey will miss great
opportunity IL he don't jump of, al
his concluding act in the construction