The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-04-05

CHICAGO, March 31-Alone on the top of
sixteen-story building the Great Northern ho-
tel, save for the conn auy of a mad man, who
fercely sfrovs 20 hurl HIM over the edge, was
the experience of George Doyle of Chicago to-
day. and 10 his quick Wit. rather than to his
strength he owes his lie.
One week ago yesterday Albert Godney and
his son Robert a young man. registered
from Philadelphia. Thurday the elder Godney
went to Omaha on business, leaving his son
in Chicago. Residing at the hotel is enc George
Doyle. a former Philadelphia, who had
known young Gedney in his youth. Naturally
they were much together, and yesterday, Ged-
ney, forgetting or not realizing. that the hotel
was one of the vantage view points Of the city,
proposed that they 20 to the Masonic Temple
10 look out over the city. Finally they went
TO the roof of the new hotel.
The Maniac's Laugh.
They stood for some time looking over the
,ity, when suddenly Gedney gave q strange
.augh and grabbing Doyle by the hand he be-
gan pulling him across the small square and
back again, as if the cool breeze had exhilar-
ated him to playiulaess. Then he said: Hold
my hand; | want TO look down." Doyle did
so. ana be gazed over the side at the people
who looked like pigmies below. Then with q
baleful light in his eyes anu with q strange
csrnestnestness in his voice. in contrast with
his recent pIaytulness, he said: You've got
TO jump off OF the building or Pll throw you
off,"
For the fret time il came back to Doyle's
memory that Gedney had several years ago
been treated Tor mild form Of insanity in
asy um at home. His first Impulse. as the
SIckenIng realization OF the situation came
over him. was to call for he p, but Gedney is
larger and stronger than lie. aud such policy
might have meant almost instant destruction.
He tried to tsmpOrize aud treat the matter
joke.
"Will pou Jump" said Gedney, and without
waiting Tor u reply he seized Doyle and began
to drag him toward the edge. Doyle fought
with the desperation OF despair. and the men.
closely locked together. staggered to and fro
over the roof, Geduey steadily forcing his man
toward the edge. Twice Doyle tripped him aud
they fell together AM twice Gedney broke
away, only TO renew the attempt to hurl Doyle
10 the pavement lar below.
IN Bye Witness.
Robert Haslan, wine agent, who has an Of
fee in the upper story Of the Monadock build
ing just across the street, saw the men strug-
fling and watched them for q few minutes
thinking that they were only in sport lie
loon saw however, that the desperate struggle
vas one of life and death to the men who were
lighting furiOusIy, and, rushing across to
he hotel, he informed Mr. Eden. the proprietor
and accompanied by porter the men started
'Or the roof. When they reached the stairs
eadIng TO the roof Doyle, bareneaded, came
flashing down. He was weak and excited. and
almost iainting TELL sgainst the porter. With
his clothes torn from his back and lis blanched
lace and trembling limbs bore witness 10 the
fearful ordeal he had undergone. Gedney was
walking calmly around the roof when Mr.
Eden gut his head out OF the scut-
tie and pie ssantly invited that gentleman
10 come out and see the city. but Mr. Eden de-
slIned and hually succeeded in getting Gedney
TO come down for the purpose o. taking q
drink Mr. Eden and Mr.. Haslam finally got
him into a room and asked him why he had at
tempted TO throw Doyle OF the roof. lie
seemed surprised at first but lanRh ed and said
that IL was only Joke. Nevertheless ne Was
locked IN security an9 his father telegraphed
for.
DoyIe's story.
When Doyle was able to talk he gave a
Traphic account Of his fearful fight for life, and
when informed that Gedney claimed that it was
only joke. he said, passing his hand nerv-
ousiy over his face to which the natural color
had not returned. although IL was several hours
after the occurrence, Joke. was il? Well, |
would give up my hopes OF heaven rather than
60 through such pleassutTy for tile second
time. IL joke to me, whatever il
never fought before l had no idea that or
any other man could fight. / tell you my life
grew sweet 70 me when | thought OF being
tossed sixteen stories down to a granite pave
ment. Once We were within four feet OF the
edge and thought he had me. | gripped Que
hand IN his hair aud closed the other on his
throat and / ssOre that II went over the edge
of that roof to my death he would never live 10
tell anything about il. | would have dragged
him down with me-"
Clever Strategy.
Doyle's escape was By clever strategy Feel.
ing that his strength was almost gone and be.
ing at some dissarcs from the edge. he sudden
ly called 10 Gedney to stop; that he would
jump OIL When lie was lOosened ne stipu
lated that be must have a few moments for
prayer. He stepped back and knet down.
Gedney. standing in his place reverentaly
bent his head Doyle watched him through
his haif-closed eyes. aud as suddenly and a.