Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1890-08-08
JUMPED To HIS DEATH.
Another Jumping Crank Seeks foi
Fame,
But, Instead, Meets n Frlghtful
Watery Grave.

Charles McCahrey, a i9-year-old lad
jumped TO eternity last Sunday. His start,
ing place was the top OF the gigantic
"shears" at the Atlantic Works, East BOs-
ton, higher above the surface OF the water
than even the Brooklyn bridge, from which
several young men nave courted fame and
fortune by jumping into the water. Young
McCaffrey was like these young men. He
risked his life for reputation and lost. lie
belonged in Montreal.
The shears" are two gigantic pillars which
meet at the tops, and are built obliquely over
the water at an angle OF about 70 degrees.
They are used 10 step the masts OF vessels,
which accounts for their great height. Those
at the Atlantic Works are about 100 feet
above the surface of the harbOr, q dizzy
height for whoever ventured to the top, and
about five feet higher than the Brooklyn
bridge railing. At the point where the pill
lars of the Atlantic Works shears meet.
q flagstaff stands. McCafcry chung TO this
pole before he made his terrible leap into the
water below him.
Only one man saw him. That was Watch.
~man William Buckley Of the Atlantic Works.
The naked individual stood for few sec.
onds with his arm clasped about the flag.
staff, his ewes measuring the distance to the
water. Then he jumped. In less than a
second, 1t seemed, he struck the water, but
not as he probably intended, feet fir, his
stomach striking the surface instead with
loud splash.
At the foot Of the "shears" was found
pair of gray checked pantaloons, q vest and
jacket of similar material, and white
straw hat with a black ribbon about the
crown, and a black cloth beneath the rim
The contents of the pockets consisted OF Is
cents in change, string OF beads which are
worn by those Of Roman Catholic faith, and
a prayer book, on a fly leaf Of which was In
scribed Patrick Taylor, No. Rochester
street, Boston, Mass"
About an hour later policeman Of division
8 rang the hell at the tenement of Mrs. Mary
Taylor on Rochester street. AS gently as
possible he told the woman that her son had
been drowned. lie did not 20 into details,
and she was almost heartbroken, for Patrick
was her only child. With the officer
she went at once to station s, where the
young mans clothes had been taken by
Waterman Buckley. The sergeant in CT args
showed them TO her as soon as she entered.
"Why, those are not Patrick's garments"
she Historically said. "He never wore those
In his life"
"Isn't that his prayerbook?" inquired the
officer.
She was almost overcome with happiness
as she answered, "Yes, but he did not have
1t today" Then she told the officer that she
loaned 1t yesterday morning to young Nc.
Catfrey, who lodged near her house. He was
n stranger In the city and desired to 20 to
church, but had no book, so she loaned him
Patrcks. She had not seen him since.
1t was quite evident from the earnestness
of his conversation and his many queer state
ments that he was "crank' on bridge
jumping. His appearance was against him
wherever he went, as he had hare lip, and
wore a scowl which made his dark face look
nj times like that OF A wild man.