The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-05
ADVENTURE WITH 4 MANIAC
IA Thrilling Scene That Was Witnessed
by aCrowd of Philadelphia People.
Superintendent Gibson's Brave Deed in Res
cuing Climbing Mailman from the Top
Of Church Steeple-A Daring Feat.
Philadelphia Special.

Inc corner OF NneSLnut ana 4nlIty oiBnsn
streets was the scene Of a thrilling incident at
an early hour this morning.. For some days
past workmen have been engaged in building
wooden steeple on the eastern tower OF 81.
Jamess Catholic Church. which stands on the
southeast corner. The tower, like the church
building, is of unhewn marble, and rises TO
height Of about seventy five feet above the side
walk. its top being circular and fifteen feet in
diameter Above this four stout uprights have
been put in position in pyramid shape. reaching
An additional height of thirty feet. The tops OF
the uprights are joined around the base of
wooden cross, which extends fifteen feet still
higher in the air. The whole fabric is a mere
skeleton yet and the fearless workmen who are
building it climb about the timbers with the
agility and self possession of squirrels. They
have been seen and admired by people for blocks
around and at least one lady in the neighbor-
hood watches them from her window all day
long in confident expectation that she will see
one of them fall.
This morning, however, there was scene en-
acted on the skeleton spire that thrilled the
watching lady and hundreds of other people with
horror. few minutes before o'clock as the
men were approaching the church, to begin their
days work, they were amazed to see a man
climbing nimbly and rapidly up the cross-pieces
which had been nailed on the outside of one of
the uprghts, to serve as ladder. He was clad
Dnly in trousers and shirt, his feet being bare
and his head without a hat The workmsn knew
In moment that he was not one of their num-
Der, and their amazement was speedily succeeded
by utter CONSERVATION and alarm. By this time
the strange actions of the man the steepls
had attracted the attention of people in the
vicinity, and they, too, realized that he was not
a workman-that terrible tragedy was before
tbem-and they came in crowds to witness it
While they gathered, silent and awe-struck. In
the street below, the man in the air above them
had climbed to the top of the upright, and now
etood with his arms about the base of the cross.
He seemed utterly unconscious that he was
watched, never looking down for moment, but
always up to the top of the cross, as II measur-
ing how far he had yet to go to reach the end of
his perilous journey. There was many quick
heart throb in The breasts of the Mortified
watchers below, out apparently no means OF saw
ing the man had suggested itself to any of them.
for hardly word had been spoken except few
short calculations of alarm. The workmen,
who were brave enough when they we're IN his
position, now that they saw him there were alb
soutely speechless with fear.
Up TO this time the climber had not looked
down, but now. as he stood with his arms around
the cross, he turned his head and saw the crowds
IF people staring up at him. The sight appeared
to infuriate him. for, uttering cry that almost
froze the blood Of those who heard it, he sprung
up the straight stem of the cross. climbing with
frantic haste, az II trying TO escape peril instead
of seeking it. There was no longer doubt as to
what he was-the man was lunatic. and that
fact added another horror to the scene. Just as
few men in the crowd regained enough self
possession to talk coherenity of some way to
cue him. the superintendent of the workmen ar
rived. He was the very man for the occasion,
for he took in the situation at once. and issued
his orders with the GOODNESS Of one accustomed
to danger By this time the mailman had
reached the arms of the cross. and was now
astride them, gazing below him with every APP
pearance of the widest fear
The imminent peril of his position may be ap
preciated when it is remembered that there is no
scafolding of any description around the steeple
The only means of reaching the point to which
he had climbed being the cross pieces nailed to
the tall upright How was he to be brought
down in safety That was the question that
every anxious watcher asked himself. A dozen
men gathered around the superintendent, some
making suggestions, others predicting the GER
tain failure of any plan that might be adopted.
He abruptly silenced them by word, and went
with his preparations in a way that Inspired
confidence in his at least
Hundreds Of people were now in the streets.
all looking up to the dizzy height where the poor
madman chung to the f-aii-ooking timbers form
ing the cross. None doubted that his horrible
death inevitable Men looked up with
blanched cheeks and beating hearts; women and
chlldren-and there were many of these-wrung
their hands and uttered low cries OF distress. 1t
was moment to try the heart of the bravest.
But the superintendent was now ready to begin
his desperate task-the rescue of a mailman who
chung co the top of steeple hundred feet in
the air. Throwing over his arm a long stout
rope he called two of his mon and disappeared
In the door of the church. Five minutes later
he appeared on the top of the tower, where the
wooden structure began. but his men were not
with him. The madman was still forty-fye feet
above him, and the dangerous part of the rescue
was now to begin. When the brave superin-
tendeLt started up the cross pieces the people in
the street below were horror-struck and called
out to him, "Come back!p Come back!' but he
stopped them with quick motion Of his hand,
and continued his perious course. They could
see that he had tied one end of the rope around
his waist, and the rest of it traied after him as
he went up. Still his men did not appear. and
many persons in the crowd cursed their stupid
ity that they allowed their companion to attempt
such foolhardy task.
The mailman did not see him until he was
about half way up. but when he did he showed
30 many evidences of alarm that the watchers
expected every minute to see him loosen his
hold and fall headlong to the ground. The
rescuer now stopped and appeared to be talking
to the mailman, but nothing could be heard by
those below. Ten minutes passed thus ten
minutes of the most terrible suspense--and then
the spectators were amazed to see the lunatic,
with astonishing agility. abandon his position on
the arms OF the cross and slide rapidly down the
stem. he now stood the top of the upriehts,
but there he hestated and looked down at the
man who was there to save him.
The superintendent must have spoken few
encouraging words, for the mailman at once be-
gan to come down the cross pieces. AS he APP
preached the point where the superintendent
awaited him, the latter came down, step by step.
ahead OF him. and in few minutes they stood
together on the platform on the top of the tower
And then there went up from the hearts and
Threats of the hundreds of people below a great
shout of relief, followed by warm words of
praise for the brave George Simpson, the stout.
hearted superintendent. who had so heroically
risked his own life to save that of another
Fifteen minutes later Simpson came ont OF
the church door alone. In few words he ex-