The morning call., 1892-08-27

over his left eve showed that his head had
struck one OF the sills, and the bones of
both arms were snapped completely in two.
Both legs were crushed and the bones shat
tered. His body was an almost shapeless
mass of flesh and bones.
In death. however. IL could be seen that
life had gone out quickly, for his face was
scarcely disfgured, save for the cut above
the eye, and his features were not distorted.
Any one could see that but little pain had
been suffered.
When those who saw the frightful cat
astrophe recovered from their first feeling
OF horror ready hands volunteered TO re-
move the mangled body from It's peculiar
lodging-place oh the fence, and a few mo-
ments later it was conveyed to the Morgue.
Many of those who witnessed the fall
turned and left the scene. unable to look
upon the body.
Dyer came here from Tacoma short
time ago and was about 80 years Of age.
he was unmarried.
TIE escape of Stratton and Miner from
fate like that OF Dyer was simply remark
able. When the rope parted and the end of
the platform fell through the air with a
sudden swish they seized the rounds of the
ladder forming the stage upon which they
were working. and to this preearous sup
port they cluug with the tenacty of men
who realized that death awaited them below.
Suspended by single line the ladder sway ed
and swung hundred feet above the crowd
in the street, who gazed at their awful dan
ger In silent horror With strength which
they had never known before their fingers
clung TO the frail rounds Of the swinging
ladder
Below them they could see the mangled
| body OF their companion, and il took but q
glance TO see that a similar fate awaited
them unless they could hold on till help
arrived. The hoarse murmurs of the traffic
Of the street reached them family, and the
voices OF those who looked on could be
heard. 1t was an awful moment, and when
they realized it all their muscles frightened
and their fingers gripped the ladder all tile
harder Still they swaYed 10 and fro, and
the rope which held them aloft creaked as IL
strained under the burden. The wind in
creased the vibration Of the swinging lad
der, aud as they dangled about one of them
gave vent TO cry of terror. No wonder
they were Mortified with the bleeding body
below them.
When the first surprise had passed there
was rush Of workmen TO the windows and
dozens OF anxious faces peered out at the
men who were dangling in the air. The
windows were opened and willing hands
stretched forth. bat the distance was too
great for the arms Of an ordinary man. A
rope was then secured and loop formed
quickly. This was thrown over the swing
ing ladder. and Ivy means Of it the TWO men
were hauled slowly in toward the wall.
Then they were lifted bodily in through the
windows and they knew that they were
saved.
Ii was narrow escape from a fearful
late, and so unnerved were the two rescued
men that they could scarcely stand. The
awful strain had unnamed them CON-
| pletey.
Pale and trembling they made their way
| 10 the street.
Stratton few moments later was seen
ana said: How do account for IL? Why.
the ropes were simply rotten. The muriatic
acld used In cleaning eats into everything,
put you cannot tell il bS the appearance of
the object affected. Every man who works
on scaffoids knows that, and always has
| lear Of accident in his heart
bnt VIII tell you one thing, and that Is
that Will bet that the prints of my fingers
are sun on the rung of that ladder. When
heard the snap Of the rope knew what
had happened and i just dropped every
| thing and held on. / could feel nv strength
leaving me as the ladder swayed, and ex.
| pected every minute TO fall. That four
| minutes seemed like an age, and every time
the ladder In swinging struck the wall
thought would be knocked off, 1t was an
awiui experience and one not TO be repeated
Tor million dollars"
Tie men who escaped and poor Dyer had
| ooon oHEdseu lor several days upon the
| WoIk. lhey were in the employ of John
| Mccarthy. contractor, who advertised for
help some time ago. Owing to the we'll
known dangers OF the task he found it diff
cult TO secure suitable men. At last six
we're Iound. and among them were Dyer,
| Stratton and Miner They were nIacad
| upon one platform, which Is nothing moro
than suspended ladder with light three
Ioot railing ON the outer edge designed to
prevent the men from falling off.
4 ba
| cleaned the brickwork down to the ninth
story. and after eating their lunch had re-
sumed their task. Dyer occupied the ex-
treme right end of the platform. Stratton
was In the center and Miner on the left.
III was the rope at the right which broke.
and Dyer. Of course, had no chance to grasp
the ladder and down he went to death.
HIS NECK WAS BROKEN
| rataI FaII OF = Laborcr Whlla Whaal In ~