Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1894-08-04
A DANGEROUS BUSINESS
PETER wALoREEN WORKS FAR
UP IN THE AIR.
He Builds steepies, RANTS Tall tlas,
stafs and Performs Other "eilA'
Feats-From a Height Of $50 Feet he
Calls for Tobacco.


inc. alive, was visible TO the naked
ave in tho heart Of Boston the other
morning. Crowds collected near
the old state house, ~ the markets
At Dock square, and along fremont
row to watch the spectacle.
A man was shining the hagstaH
on the top OF the Ames building 2oD
feet above the ground level, prepar-
atory to giving it coat OF white
paint -,
He was meanwhile incidentally
earning $50 wherewith 10 support
himself and family.
Peter Walgreen appeared on the
roof at precisely 10 o'clock His help
or, TO whom he pays thirty cents an
hour, was at his side. Quickly 40
changed his trousers - which he
could do with modesty at such an
eleyation--and got into his working
pantaloOns.
Oliver Ames ii. was there to SEQ
the sight. The climber could easily
have mounted the pole by means Of
the flag rope. but Mr.. Ames wanted
an exhibition OF climbing without
such assistance, and he got it.
Walgreen placed two ropes noosed
at both ends. around the iron stan.
He then tied himself around the body
underneath the arms Inserting his
feet in two OF tho nOoses no began
his upward Journey Of sixty feet.
Drawing himself slowly heaven
ward he raised the ropes, caught
them in new spot. pressed down.
ward like one walking up a very
steep flight Of stairs and hc hal
gained nearly yard
Up, up, up he squirmed his way
until he could look over the top oi
Bunker Hill monument. above any
thing which roars its lofty head tn
the whole city.
Twas difficult feat. because the
iron OF the stafT was slippery and tho
sections was all 81 ono size, not
tapering, as l. generally the case,
and giving no purchase 90 the ropes.
Walgrecn was as cool as ices lie
I looked out upon tho bay and tho
beautiful landscape spread before
I him and was famed by the st.N
breeze which blow across tho town
Yet he was porspirins ttum his
exertions ana down % the roof came
I flying his old DERBY hat
/ Ten minutes passed and ths
/ climber had reached the apex
which he sought He uuloossd the
I single strand which bound him
safely, and was the only sure thing
| which stood between him aud Ia.
slant death. arose erect upon tho
circular iron disk beneath the
weather yane POO feet above mother
carth-a and shouted down 20 tho
BostOn Globe reporter. 'its pretty
high up here, isn't ~"
He was assured IL was pretty high
"Scnd mp the black paint cried
the aerial artist. and DIP tho rope
went a tiny pail. b7bbiug along as II
IL were trolling for pickcrea ig
seized the receptacle and bold II ia
his teeth while he changed position.
Thcn the decoration Of the weather
vanc in sOnhcr black began, tho
painter apparently unsupported in
midair, reaching far out 20 It's end
distance Of some i've foot. and
meanwhile restraining tho thing ia
its mad attempts TO point north.
south, east or west.
The crowds In the streets, bslnw,
individuals looking like Liliiputians.
could be seen gazing upward intCnt
" and feariully
/ Walgrcen waved his hand anr
shouted down % them. although III,
sound OF his voice never reached s,
far, saying he would be down TO So,
them at o'clock.
Get my vest and hoist that plus
OF tobacco" was the next exclama
tion which lloated down TO tho root
and soon the weed was on its wa,
kyward.
Then the boatswaln's seat wa
called for, secured. and seated upor
1t the helper lowering as ordered
the painter tied 10 the staff much Il
the same manner as when he as
cended the descent commenced.
beautiful coat OF white paint bcint
left all the way down
~ hODh At1a bAlftiA wv - llbuEa 10 com
plete the task, and at the end Of tina
time Walgreen stood again on tn
roof Of the Ames building without
scratch. save that his face wa
streaked with paint.
Next day he repeated the feat an
gaze that STAFF second coat Of color
Peter Nalgreen Is one OF less tina
half dozen famous steeple climber
in this country. He resides at -
Hanover street and Is not by an
means an old man. Years ago h
was a ship riggcr.
For eighteen years he has elm be
aud climbed; climbed everything {
lofty nature which wanted scaling
He learned the trade from Crnit
In 1872 he worked for 81 per hou
on tho Brooklyn bridge fastenin
the huge cables
Last year he completed the steept
at Augusta, from which "Steepj
Jack fell and was killed.
He has recently painted nearly a
the flagstaifs in the business cent,
, OF the city, receiving from the owl
/ ers from So TO $2j each The one a
: the Ames building is the loftie,
: which he has ever tackled.