The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-12-23
Wholesale Grocers and Liquors,
H. lib, lis Bay street, west.

its men, and they succeeded in half an
hour IN convincing the spectators that
some of them were daredevil fellows who
enjoyed taking risks with death
Bring out the net. boys" was the or
der given by Assistant Engineer Fernan-
dez who superintendent the drill
Now, I'll show you something new in
the business" the engineer remarked
The net, you know, may have to be
brought out at any minute--we never can
tel the time-so there is nothing like be-
ing prepared. OF course, this drill is ONLY
in its infancy with us, but yet you will
ma men that understand its use perfectly.
ana how much or little faith can be pin
ned to 1T. IT'S the last resort of ALL"
From what hight can the men jump
without injury?"
THAT depends" was the cautions ren1v
you may not land just right in the net
from a low fall and hurt yourself but
from a high place you take more or less
chance. Naturally, the men don't go be-
yond a reasonable hight in drilling. while
they would take any leap from ordinary
buildings-as the last chance for life In
the drill they exercise from the second and
third stories."
While Mr.. Fernandez was talking the
men got the net in readiness to catch the
falling body. It was suggestive of an i'm
mense geometric SPIDERS web, spun in
half-inch cord and surrounded on the outer
edge by stout hempen rope, which served
for handle. The hremen stood around
it, shoulder to shoulder, every one of them
braced outward to meet the impact of the
fan, which pulls in the net
Several members of the company took
turns in jumping They treated the feat
as matter of business, showing signs OF
interest only when one of them, Mr. Ban
non went w the ladders.
go up TO the third balcony Bannon, -
said Assistant Engineer Fernandez.
The intrepid fireman took his post, re-
marking that it was pretty high
"Oh, well, he can do it easily without
hurting himself" saIu Fernandez.
A pause ensued while the men antici-
pated the next order or call: Are you
ready?"
Another GREATNESS moment as the Jump
err steadied himself upon the balcony rail-
ing, directly above the center of the net.
"AH ready" came back the reply at
which the net men braced themselves once
more for a pun altogether
The little group of spectators watched
the man on the balcony railing, and as
they watched he slipped from their sight.
Failing into the net was accompanied by
a duh sound. The man who fell gave ex-
preston to an "Ugh!' in which the men
at the net Joined, suggesting a shock felt
by all alike as he struck the receptacle.
The camera caught the daring fireman
sprnging from the balcony.
And if time can be reckoned under such
circumstances a second camera snapped on
Damon rs he passed the second balcony
of the fire escape.
It was quickly noticed that the fremen
in jumping always leaped with their feet
downward and arms extended above their
heads in complete abandon, evidently de-
pending upon the center of gravity finding
its proper level, which proved to be the
rule, as they landed in the net almost in
a sitting posture.
with practice observed a spectator.
these firemen could drop from the roof
% that tower and I'm sure some of them
will yet take the dive with a good strong
crew around the net"