Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-06-11
naNaLlNu HiaHIN MID AIK.
Lineman Cassei Ciing,ug Disabled to the WIRE
ON - Lofty Telegraph Pole.

"" s"'sy so'V'
Joseph Csssel, liuenian, - years of age,
in the employ ot the Western Union Tele-
graph company, started up lofty telegraph
pole, between Lexington and Third avenues,
in l25th street, New York at 5r. III. on
Wednesday. His intention was to fasteu
some new wires to the topmost crCsstrec lie
mounted the pole in "a leisurely manner, bear
ing his tools IN bag on his left shoulder,
and when ho got to the top he balanced hint
self for moment while he reached around
with his right hand to get the bag ul tools
The spike which he had driven into the
pole AMI ON which he mainly rested must
have given way, for suddenly he crashed
downward through the network ui wires and
landed sstrlde the second Crusstree. The
iorce ot bus descent was so great
that the strong bar of wood snapped
oil short The obstruction proved SUN.
clent, however, To- give hun chan GO
TO throw his right arm over a number OF the
wires, aud in this way he hung, supporting
himself rs well possible on the left by
| cliuging To the stump OF The crosstree He
had hurt his lett leg badly III his fall OF six
feet from top crosstree, and, as he swung
| III the AIR lorty feet above the pavement ms
| wounded leg became eutangled in some OF
the lower wires and WAS badly strained. But
| CasSel was full of uCrvo aud did not mind the
| pam as he clung tor life To stump anu wires'
In the meantime large crowd had gath
| cred III the street below, Several persons
| rushed into the Western Union office only a
| few doors away, and told George Fitzgerald,
| another linenisu, of CasselIs predicament
| Several others rushed to the house of hook
and ladder company II, near Fourth avenue,
| and breahlesslv yelled to the tremen to
| bring over their ladders. While these things
| were being done the crowd below which had
| grown tremendous in proportions, entirely
blocking travel, yelled itself hoarse In It's al.
| munitiOus to CasSell, ordering him To "hold
| on for dear life" Several times Cassell
| swayed to ana irp ON the ssgging wires, and
| his hold on the stump of the crosstree became
| less secure, IT seemed though he would
| have TO drop. But still he hung on.
| Fitzgerald, a. soon rs he could secure a
| rope and some climbing spurs, came rushing
| to the pole and went up i'll lively style The
| crowd below sent up cheer after cheer asthey
saw help coming nearer TO the young line
| man. They became disappointed, though,
when they saw Fitzgerald pass by the dang
ling form of his friend and climb up to the
| top crosstree. In moment however, they
| saw his purpose. DeNteruusly ana swiftly
| he fastened one end Of the rope around the
| pole and CrOSstree. Then he formed slip
| moose at the other end, and, climbing down,
| drew it over Casse's body up the arm pits
| Then the crowd felt that at least there was
| no more danger, and yelled and cheered
| enthusiastically. BY this time tho
| Hook aud Ladder company had ar.
| rived, and quickly rigged up its ladders 10
| where Cassei was. tire laddie run up and
| lOt CaS~cl on To- the ladder and released him
| from the rope The rescue became near be-
| ing aS dangerous as the accident for tassel
was 50 weak that when he tried to walk down
| the ladder his feet would not support him
| aud he slipped down hand over hand on the
| rounds. lie was carried into the telegraph
| office where several physicians attended him
| \ large dose of brandy revived him, and al.
| though his leg was badly strained he man.
| aged to walk few steps to show that he was
| still alive. He was removed to his home in
| East l26th street crowd stood looking at
| the broken wires and cross tree for seyera
| hours alterward.