The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1886-05-07
A NEW SENSATION.
THE EXPERIMENT WHICH A CRANK
WISHES TO MAKE.
a Leap from the Top of Washington
Monument, and the Pleasure To Be
Derived Therefrom-The Next
Best Thing.
Washington Cor. New York sun

Washington Cor. New York SUM-
Did you ever leap from a very higl
{ place, and do you know what the sensation
! is during the PASSAGE
This was asked by middle-aged man
/ who, with hundreds OF Others was wander
/ ing through the monument grounds few
/ days ago.
/ replied that had no such experience
/ Then you have something to learn be
/ said Have I had it, Yes; but 1 am not
/ satisfied. I intend to jump from the top of
/ that monument. It's more than $50 feet
high, they say. 1 never leaped from a higher
| place than 10 or 120 feet 1t was from the
mast of a vessel don't know exactly how
( many feet it was Did it hurt me! No
not a great deal l struck feet fore
most in the water, and went under,
1 don't know how far but a good
ways, for they had time to reach me after
1 came up, a little dazed, but ampIy paid
| by the delights of the sensation during the
passage. knew man who jumped from
higher place and was so much injured
that he died; but he didn't understand il,
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 Arc
tic sank. But that was not leap He was
carried down by the suction when ne ship
made the plunge. 1t was altogether diff
ferent experience. He could not help him
self, 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 unhappy circumstances of
the little fellow being struck dead
from his arms by timber when
they rose probably drove from his
mind all recollections of what must
have been the agreeable sensation of going
down int fha IF
Luce told me that it was a terrible ather
than an agreeable experience 1t was not
like jumping from a high place, perform
ance attended by sensations which nothing
else can produce. Things of accident and
design are always attended by different SEN
satiOns, you know. I have been looking a
good while for place to take great leap,
and have travelled great 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 lie killed and newer relate
your experience or enjoy an instant's recollec-
ton of the sensation"
Yes, that's true, perhaps but I would
have all the delight while l was falling, Just
the same. That's what 1 want 1t would
compensate me. We all strive for pleasures
which have ending after a longer or
shorter time. l fancy that the intensity is
proportional always to the distance. Don't
you"
The mans earnestness increased, and he
assumed air of mystery. He resumed:
But may not be killed. Indeed, l don't
mean to be. If 1 were I would not care.
Did l know l should would take the leap all
the same. No man goes into battle or faces
my danger without some hope of coming out
safe. Generally he makes provision to that
end, which, however faulty, affords him
hope. 1 will do the same. I've got con-
trivance, simple as an umbrella and easy as
a cane to carry, which sprung at the right
III tant will land me like bird, whose wings
let it come down from any height in perfect
safety. l have never used it, but | believe
it will work. If it don't it will matter little
l will have the supreme pleasure of jumping
from the monument, and in the passage to
the earth experience the most delightful
sensation that man has ever had"
That the man was upset in his mind was
evident. 1 encouraged him to proceed, re-
marking that as the monument was about
completed he might be deprived of the GOV.
eted opportunity to make the leap. He said
Il was detained ON the way l intended 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 the assembled multitude. But
l shall do it yet. I'll find way, 1t is not to
myself, or anything of that
kind, that 1 have in view, but solely the
ecstacy of the fall of $50 feet to the earth |
saving the few feet after have spread my
contrivance for letting me down easy, or, as |
have said, to the utter extinction of /
vitality which would otherwise ensue |
Gen Casey will miss a great opportunity if !
he don't jump off, as his concluding act in !
the construction. 1t would be an immense !
feat If the last man on the outside, when |
he removes the last stick of the scaffolding |
instead of crawling through the opening to
come down inside, don't jum", he will be a
fool
suggested that the capitol dome would be
a great place to practice at leaping.
No. said h, ''it 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 1 want to enjoy. 1t takes ten
d. twelve II nutes to be hoisted up inside of
the n1o1um mt l would expect to come
Down n less tlan half minute. Think
W., would De crowded into that brief space
IF time-the exhilaration, the ecstacy of
falling from such a height! I will do it vet
III 10 VII nave ali 10 sell,
whether 1 light like bird or am crushed
nto jelly.
To the question when he intended to take
he leap, he said: II mean to do it on dedi-
alton dag, Feb. % will find way by
hat time. Once on the top, and those open
ngs no. stopped, | am sure to make the leap
f l have to wait ten years 1 will do it.
vas born to do it. What greater thing is
here in tilis world? It's my mission II
Ion't do it AMI here the man drew near.
nd il a low voice, with strange delibera-
ion, added-'.ii I don't do it, if they won't
ct me, [ viii blow up the monument with
ynam:te. I've got it ready. know the
paning where charge can be placed that
7ill bring the monument down to the last
tone The work of thirty-five years will
umble 10 the ground in five seconds. It's
he sensation L seek-the sensation of leap
rom toe monuments top. If am deprived
that I'll have the satisfaction of seeing
he monument come down. That will be the
ext b st thing to the leap. I'll do It! Til
o it! Aha"
At that the man made Off at a rapid pace,
nd I have not seen him since