Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1893-10-06
IN THE FERRIS WHEEL.

Visitor strangely Affected Until
Blindfold with n woman,s skirt.
From the Chicago IBier-oceAu
The strong iron bArs protecting the win
dows Of q cE In the Ferris wheel alone
prevented a trsgedy.
A gentleman and HE wife, who later
gave their names as Mr and Mrs. A. O.
WherTitt of Covington, Ky, bought tlctsts
for hide around the wheel ID seems
that the gentleman had hesltsted about
making the trip, As previous experiences
In ascending 10 great heights had always
effected him strangely. After The hrst
sickenina. fAinting sensation be always be-
cSne possessed Of g desire to throw him
self of into space. The doctors had told
him that many people under the same cir
cuustAnces were similarly dsspoeea-Gn
fact, that the desire sometimes bsoArne IN
controllsble. They clAsred 1t As distinct
brain disease.
Mrs. Wherritt had, on a previous visit
20 the fatr. been mp in the wheel. and che
declared 10 ber husband that the Hoars
were 60 level and the Atcsnsion 90 arNdual
,hsi 1t was hard for her 20 realize that she
was going up. She Elso eXpktIsted upon
the loveliness Of the scene from the win
dOws and lie extent, and advised that be
try II.
So yesterday they both tried II. They
obtained seats in the car and plAcidly
moved along until the upper turn WAS
reached, when M. Wherritt complained Of
| feeling i'll He almost tainted but there
YVES 10 way of stopping the wheel. The
car was half full Of people, principally wo-
men. The man became crGzed with excite
ment and began TO pace exciiedly up and
down the csr, driving the women, whom be
hsd no intention of hurting, before him
| like scared sheep.
He jumped up on the sides of the car re-
/ psatedly and was so powerful In bis psror-
ysms that he actually bent the iron bars.
The Rttendant-one goes round with every
csr-grEppled with him, and assisted by
| two or three other men, attempted to hold
him, but their strength proved inadequate,
for he threw them of easily and made for
the door, which fortunately is always
locked. BE shook it violently, but only
succeeded in breaking come of the glass
Mr.. Wherritt continued unmRnsgeAble
until the car had almost reached the land
ing, then he became cslmer and breaking
down completely, laughed and sobbsd con-
vulsively.
The wheel always makes two revolutions
before the occupants OF any car are allowed
| TO get out. The attendant thought that as
the ear went by the landing he would opsn
| the door quickly and shove Mr.. Wherritt
| out, but the motion was too rapid, and the
passengers prepared for another scene and
struggle Some of them said AfterwArd
that Mr.. WherrItt's 'error was appalling
when be reallEsd that be WAS going up
sgsia. BE implored that the car be
| stopped, and then begged that they throw
| him down and hold him. There was some
hesitation in doing this, as the men In the
car had had experience Of his strength dur
| ing the FIRST trip. The three men grsppled
him, however, snd strained every nerve be-
fore there was any occasion 70" foroe, while
women huddled in q corner ard looked st
him.
The tops of the houses Of Midway had
hardly been skirted before heEbegsn 10 try
TO tear himself loose and dAsh against the
bArs. The men who were holding him,
having exhausted themselves when be wAs
peaceful, did not know what TO do. Just
at this time q woman, who would not give
her name, came 10 the rescue. Flinging
modesty to the winds for the nonoe abe
unbuckled her skirt 81 the back, stepped
out Of ii, and threw IL over the crazy mans
head And che held IL there until they
were permitted to leave the car ct the
station. Under this treatment Mr.. Wher-
ritt became Es quiet as an ostrich under
similar handling.
The lady was allowed TO put on her skirt
In the car and thus ended what nigh. have
bfen a tragedy.