The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-15
WALKED INTO SWAN LAKE.
CURIOUS MISHAP or 4 DRUNKEN
MAN IN CENTRAL PARK.

Didn't Realize He Was in the Water Until
lie Found Himself up to His Neck In
the Middle of the Pond-Policeman Got
Him Out with the Aid of His Night stick.
Park Policeman r. A. Edgerton heard a cry
for help at $3.50 O'Clock yesterday morning.
which camo from the direction OF Swan Lake.
at the southern end OF Central Park. He ran
over to the lake and looked about the bank.
but could see no one.
Help" "helpl" cried the voice again.
Hello. therel Where are your" the blue
coat called out
Save mel" cried voice In the darkness.
but EdRerton could not locate the spot from
which it came. He waited for repetition
OF the cry and when 1t came. he was as
much puzzled as ever The situation began
to impress him az somewhat uncanny do
thought Of the several suicid es that had occur
red in that part OF the park and wondered II
the spirit OF one Of the sef-dsstroyers had
returned. Ho was about to 40 back to his post
when he again heard the cry. 1t was fainter
than before. but seemed to come from the
westerly shore OF the lake. Edgerton MADE
his way there and called out
Help for the love Of God! I'm drowning
the voice replied.
Where are your" the policeman shouted.
Here. up to my neck in water" replied the
voice from the mi ddle Of the lake.
The policeman could not sec the owner OF
the voice in the darkness. nor could he un-
lock any OF the small boats to 60 to the rescue
He shouted to the person to wade toward him.
forgetting that the deepest part Of the lake was
near the westerly shore After a time the po-
lceman Judged from the sound OF the voice
that the owner was getting near the shore.
Suddenly the man in the water yelled and the
policeman asked what was the matter.
I'm done for There's big snake rubbing
up against me |" was the answer.
Great Scott the alligator . after him" the
policeman thought.
An alligator. Is inches long. was discovered
in the lake about six weeks ago. Director
Smith Of the menagerie sent several OF his
! keepers to capture 1t. but they failed. and
| finally abandoned all attempts to land the
| saurian. expecting that 1t would be frozen to
| death this winter.
How are you nowf Has It bit you?" asked
the policeman.
| NO. but it's swimming about me. looking
| for q chance" was ths reply. II | got out OF
this alive l swear III never drink another
drop"
| The man splashed about and was apparently
making some headway toward the shore when
the policeman heard gurglng sound. In q
minute the man called out that he had got In
said he had got upon rock In the lake. which
| allowed him to keep his head above the sur
face. Edgerton told him to stay whore he was
| which was only a short distance from land
while he climbed a tree. branch OF which OK
tended over the water. He crawled out to tn,
| end OF the branch until he could reach hi,
nightstick to the man and told him to TAXI
hold Of it and not let 60. The man did 30 anS
the policeman worked his way back and 60
the man ashore.
What were you doing In the lake2" the police
man asked.
Il don't know. as I'm not fond Of water" tn,
man replied Il was drinking last night. ant
i suppose l walked in. not knowing where
was. / went to see some friends in Harlem
last night and we had few drinks"
He said he started for his home at 308 Wes
Fourteenth street about midnight. He re
mem Dersd that he entered the park some
where along Eighth avenue. That was tn
last he knew until he found himself up to hi
chin In the water. The bath sobered hin
very quickly. he added. He said he wa
James Slattery. a horsecar driver.
Tho policem IN took him to the Arsenal an
Sergeant Mulholland sent him to the PreSby
terrain Hospital. He was afterward taken t
the YorSville police court on q charge Of dis
orderly conduct He begged to be lot go. say
ing that he intended to TAKE the pledge an
was afraid o! losing his Job on the railroad
Magistrate Mayo discharged him.