The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1894-06-28
IA DANGEROUS BUSINESS.
PETER WALGREEN WORKS FAR
UP IN THE AIR.
ale Builds steeples, Paints Tall Flag
,tafs and Performs other Aerial
Feats-From a Height of 25O Feet He
Calls for Tobacco.

Calls for Tobacco.
A speck away up in the sky NOV
Ing, alive, was visible to the naked
eye in the hear of Boston the other
morning. Crowds collected near
the old state house, at the markets,
at Dock square, and along fremont
row to watch the spectacle.
A man was shining the flagstaff
.Fon the top of the Ames building, 26O
feet above the ground level, .prepar-
s atory to giving it q coat of white
paint.
He was meanwhile Incidentally
earning $25 wherewith to support
/ himself and family.
Peter Walgreen appeared on the
roof at precisely 10 o'clock. His help
err, to whom he pays thirty cents an
+ hour, was at his side. Quickly he
changed his trousers which he
could do with modesty at such an
elevation-and got into working
panualoons.
Oliver Ames II. was there to see
the sight. The climber, could easily
have mounted the pole by means sof
the flag rope, but Mr.. Ames wanted
an exhibition of elm bling witheu
such assistance, and he got it.
Walgreen placed two ropes, noosed
at both ends, around the iron staff
He then tied himself around the body
underneath the arms Inserting his
feet in two of the nooses he began
his upward Journey of sixty feet.
Drawing himself slowly heaven
ward he raised the ropes, csught
them in new spot, pressed down
= ward like one walking up "a very
steep flight of stairs and he had
gained nearly 3 yard.
Up, up, up he sgu1Wned his way
until he could look over the top Of
Bunker Hill monument, above any
thing whdeh rears its loftyihead in
the whole city.
Twas difficult feet, because the
iron of the staff was slipperyHand the
sections was all of one size, not
tapering, as is generally the case,
and giving no purchase to the ropes.
Walgreen was as cool assice. He
looked cut upon the bay and the
beautiful Landscape spread before
him and was famed by the stiff
breeze which blew across the town.
Yet he Was perspiring from his
exertions and down Ito thereof came
flying mis- old Derby hat.
Ten minntes passed Aand the
climber had reached ( the apex
which he :songht. He ,unloosed the
single strand which bound him
safely, and Mas ,the only sure thing
which stood between him. and in
slant death, arose erect upon the
circular irsn disk beneath the
weather Mane-260feet:a other
earth-and shouted down to the
BOSTON Globe reporter, ..It's spretty
i high mp here, isn't its''
He was assured nwas: pretty high.
'.SenG up the black ,pGint,", cried
( the aerial artist, and oup the rope
!. went TINY pail, bobbing along as if
:. it were trolling far .pickerei. He
) seized the receptacle and held it in
i. his teeth while he changed: position.
Then the decoration Of the wea Their
T. vane il somher black .began, the
j., painter apparently unsupported in
.midair, reaching far >out to its+snds
: a distance OF some five feet. and
mmeanwhile restraining the sthins in
its mad attempts to point .:nor5h,
s.south, east or west.
1.-The crowds in the streets, tbeloy,
individuals looking like Lilliputians
reGuld be seen gazing upward intenj-
lN: and fearfully.
,,Walgreen waved his hand ;,and
SHOUTED down to Them, although; tho
asoAnd' OF his voice never reached Sc
farr,saying he would be down TO, sos
,them at 2 o'clock.
''Get my vest and hoist that plug
,Qftobacco," was the next .excIama-
.tiongWhich foated down tic THE roof. ;.
sa,nd soon the weed was om its ywav
sskyward.
Then +. The boatswain's seat wyas
called Tor, secured. and seanad ,ppon
'at the Ae lper lowering as ordesed,
the painter tied to the staff much in
the same manner as when he las
cended. toe descent commenced, a
bean tifpl coat of white paint ,being
left all, thesway down.
1t ,tookiless Than two hours to aom-
plete ther task. and at the end of that
time Wal green stood again ON the
roof OF the aAmes building without a
scratch. sage that his face was
streahad with paint.
Next day he repeated the feat and
gave that staf,.a second coat of color.
Peter Walgreen is one of less than
half dozen famous steeple climbers
lin this country He resides at 28S
Hanover street aend is not by any
means am old man. Years ago he
was ship rigger.
For eighteen years he has CHM bed
and climbed; climbed everything of
a lofty nature which wanted scaling.
He learned the trade from Craig.
In 1872 he worked for 81 per hour
on the Brooklyn bridge fastening
the huge cables.
Last year he completed the steeple
at Augusta, from which .'Steeple
Jack fell and was killed.
He has recently painted nearly all
the fagsfaffs in the business center
, j y e,