Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1900-02-16
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Chicago, party of friends had gath
cred ut his bachelor quarters and the
subject of long-distance cycling, etc,
was introduced. Then arose a great ar
gument as TO the possibility of man
going without sleep for several days
and nights. My friend then related
the following story, which he claimed
as true, for he acted as second to the
principal.
In the year 1S93," he began, while
was n New York, attended a gath
ering of Il few friends at one OF the
leading clubs, and the matter of hui
man endurance was freely discussed.
Prudden, now deceased, gave as his
opinion that six days was the limit
OF human endurance without insanity
in more or less pronounced form in
tervening He said he had privately
tested some OF the most likely men
OF the day and had offered a goodly
prize If they would withstand the claims
of Morpheus for nearly a week, but
which none had accomplished. Charles
Schmidt, who had hitherto taken little
part in the discussion, here joined in
with:
"'Well, Mr.. Prudden, just two years
ago, young fellow knew intimately
went sleepless for between six and
seven days, and from that day to this
has suffered no ill-effects.'
"In answer to Pruddens inquiries,
Schmidt answered that it was himself
that did it and was willing to try it
again. The matter was soon arranged,
and the last week in September, at
Prudden's country house, were the date
and pace fixed for the event Schmidt
selected myself and Miller as his as
sistants; Snow was to act as referee,
while Ness and Robbins were to look
after Prudden's interest.
"As agreed, the party selected met at
Prudden's country home on Friday,
September 20, but were informed by
Prudden that it would take few days
longer to fix up the gymnasium.
"On Friday, September 27, he asked
us to follow him, as the gymnasium
was then ready. After taking us down
a fight of stairs, along narrow pas
sage and through several iron-bound
doors, we found ourselves in the gym
nasium,' in reality large cellar ex-
tending under the most part of the
house with bathroom and bedroom
adjunct. The usual paraphernalia of
a gymnasium were conspicuously want
ing. The rooms were, however, well
furnished and splendidly illuminated
by acetyiene gas from GA jets, the white
ness of the flames of which harmonized
with the walls, which were painted a
dazzling white. AT the northeast and
southeast corners closely woven cur
tains, also of white, partitioned of
small portions of the room, and when
we expressed our surprise, Prudden
pressed knob in the wall and the cur
tains slid to the side. The two corners
were fitted up similarly. In each, on q
massive iron stand, was a large sphere
about three feet in diameter. Near the
bottom was spigot or cock on which
hung a small pail about five inches deer
and two in diameter. The globe WI
looked at was empty, but when asked
30 inspect the other we found it wa!
full almost to the top with bright, gilt
tering silver ten-cent pieces.
ITO say that we were astonisheC
would be putting 1t mildly. Prud
den, then addressing Schmidt, said:
"'That globe contains 100000 ten
cent pieces, which you can have If yol
carry out the little task of carrying
them across. the room and putting
them in the globe over there accord
ing to the following directions
There's no difficulty about putting
them in. The globe will be lowered
to any position you choose and yo'
will drop them in by small woodel
chute at the top. You see this cock
When a spring at its side is release'
100 dimes per minute drop into tn
small pail the handle of which yOl
see fits into niche cut on the uppe
side of the cock. AS it is regulate'
by weight, occasionally, but very rarc
ly, an extra piece drops through. |
actually takes about 20 seconds for tn
dimes to come through, SO you hav
about 40 seconds to carry each littl
load of silver across the gymnasium
and drop it into the chute of the oth
er globe. Twice day, at intervals O
~ hours, by very ingenious device
the machinery is stopped Tor six mil
utes. You can employ these 12 mir
utes per diem as you choose. M
larder and wine cellar will be at you
disposal. Your seconds are not a
lowed to assist you or interfere !
any way with the carriage of tn
money.
"If you drop any of them on tn
floor you may pick them up, and q
long as the 100 are deposited in tn
other globe you are safe, but failing
this respect even once means that yo
forfeit the right to continue. If yo
succeed in emptyipg the one and I'll
inc the other globe on these cond
tions the money is yours. But it mus
be understood that you win nothin
unless YOU move the whole one millioi
You may choose your own time tc
starting. In case Of any question ari
ing or any dispute the referees dec
sion shall lind us both. Whateve
changes you wish to make in the rool
will be acceptable 10 me-
"After consulting us for some tin
my friend agreed to the condition
na,,ad and SET the following Monda
morning at ten o'clock as the tin
of his start. Schmidt had hard tas
before him, and almost felt that tn
l 100000 was not very likely y chang
hands.
1--WE had figured out the task So
TO each aspiraut for the wealth. firs
he had to move 100 dimes per minut