Dodge City times., 1888-03-22
ST. STEPHENS CHURCH.
An Episode in Connection With the Tower
of Yienna,s Graudest Sanctuary.

An Episode in Connection With the Tower
of vienna's Grandest Sanctuary.
The street terminates at the Stephens
Platz, and here in the heart of all busi-
ness is the Church of St. Stephen. the
most important one in the city. To
enumerate all its details would demand
too much time and space in this letter.
but few may interest the reader.
Facing the platz is the ''Riesenthor" or
Giants Door, which is opened on great
occasions only. Of the stained glass
windows but two are real ancient ones
In front of the vestry steps is a stone
which closes the entrance to the old
burial vault of the sovereigns of Aus
tria- The pulpit is of 1912 and exc
cuted in stone. Extensive reparations
are still being carried on in the inte-
rior. The exterior is much blanched,
and is covered with sculptures, some
of which are in very bad condition.
The tower, which rises above every thing
else in the city. is 449 feet high. 1t
was erected in 1904 in place of the old
one. which. owing to its condition, had
to be taken down. The finest view
over the city is to be had from the top
of this tower.
There is little episode in connec-
ton with this tower worth giving. 1t
illustrates how kaiser Joseph is thought
Of by his subjects. The evening pre-
,eding the Kings birthday a man
gained access to the tower room and
commenced to climb to the top of the
tower. This had to be done by ascend
ing from the outside, and as he had
nothing to cling to one may well inn
agine his task. Fancy, reader. that
you see man climbing heaven
ward upon the steeple of St.
Peters, State street, Albany,
which well illustrates that Of
ST. Stephens. The hour midnight, a
fierce wind blowing, around his body
is wrapped flag. For two long hours
he tolls upward. All below are uncon-
scious of the unusual proceeding which
is going on save a comrade, who
breathlessly awaits the result of his
companions venture. At this stage
the fire watchmen, who inhabit the
tower in order to give alarm in case OF
fire breaking out in the city, discern an
object above them and call out: "Who
is there?" The climber. now near the
summit, hears and answers: "Only I,
I am going to hang out flag for the
Emperor's birthday" Upon this word
is telegraphed to police station that
man is climbing the tower. Police
men come upon the scene. The wait
ing comrade is seen with the climbers
boots and, asked who they belong to,
replies: "Oh. to my companion, who
is aloft." Meanwhile the climber has
reached the top, and he manages to get
the flag from his body. and what is
more, huge pole which he had car
ried over his back, and then at then at
the height of 449 feet he clings with
one hand to his frail support, ties the
pole to the top of the tower and the
flag to it. After remaining there half
an hour he makes the descent in two
more hours, and is met by policeman,
who inquiries: care these your bootsP"
Eyes" 'Then put them on" and he
is marched off to the station. Upon
being questioned he stated that he
merely wished to give his Emperor a
surprise, and he was Immediately re-
leased. And for over a week many
persons could be seen standing gazing
up at the flag and prophesying that it
would fall. After this the tower was
inclosed for way up by boards, but
the feat was again attempted by a
youth, who, after going short dis
tance, gave it up and returned to ''four-
teen days. for his smartness. Now
spikes may be seen in place of boards,
and the one who next attempts the as
cent will doubtless soon be IN need of
a tailor.-Cor. Albany IN. ~ Argus.