The Savannah morning news., 1901-08-10
HUNG IN MID AIR
WATER INSPECTOR STAIRS MAR
ROW ESCAPE FROM DEATH.
CAUGHT BY ONE FOOT.
OUT OF FIFTH STORY WINDOW OF
THE CITY EXCHANGE.

Lost His Balance While sitting in
window in the Water Works De-
partment, on the Top Floor of the
Exchange Screamed for Help,
Then Lost Consciousness He
Plunged MISUNDERSTANDING Fol-
lizard Caught the Toe of the In
EpcctOr's shoe, and Held on Until
Helm Arrived-Starr Hung, Head
Downward for Fully n Minute Be-
fore Drawn mp and Revived.
CobbIe stones Were n Hundred
Feet Below.
Mr.. Arthur Starr, an inspector in the
city waterworks department, had a
narrow escape from death late yester-
day afternoon. The young man hung
suspended by his toes from the nth
story on the north side of the City Ex-
change, and occupied that perilous po-
struck the cobble stones under the
bluff, a distance of some hundred feet,
he would have been mangled to death.
Although he was unconscious from
the second that he lost his balance. and
started tumbling into space, the ex-
perience is one that he win remember
the longest day that he lives. AS he
was drawn In through the window q
dash of ice water revived him and he
was able to explain the accident that
brought him so near to death. Incl
dents of less moment have caused
xx-hf
not to be wondered at that Inspector
Starts complexion was of an ashy cast,
and that he trembled like leaf.
Inspector Starr completed his days
work and entered the office on the fifth
floor, occupied by the waterworks de-
partment. He was quite warm, and
seated himself in one of the windows
facing the river to get breath of fresh
air The drop to the ground is long
one, but the inspector never dreamed
of danger. He had occupied a similar
position many times before, and began
TO make himself comfortable. Mr..
William Folliard, another employee of
the department was standing very
near the window, but paid no attention
to the inspector.
Suddenly a scream was heard not
Only Dy those III the DuL ny
clerks in the offices on the Bay, and on
the river front. AS they gazed up
ward the sight was a sickening one
to the people below. The inspectors
body plunged downward, and involun-
tarily they closed their eyes, to shut
off the sight when the mans body
struck the cobble stones.
Mr.. Pollard had heard the cry, and
turned just in time to grasp the toe
of one of Inspector Starts shoes. All
but one foot of the inspector had dis
appeared from view and Mr.. Folliard
held on for dear life. He struggled des
perately to retain his hold, and pre-
vent himself from being pulled out of
the window, and dashed to death. Not
a muscle in Starr moved. and this
probably saved his life. Had he been
conscious of his peril, and seemingly
certain death, he would have undoubt-
eddy struggled. and either dragged Mr..
Folliard with him, or have caused him
to release his hold.
The inspectors foot was probably
twelve inches below the window sill.
and Mr.. Folliard's hands were numb
when Inspector Felix Mendel rushed
to his rescue. The two men tugged with
the unconscious man. while the excit-
ed crowd on the street watched in
breathless excitement. Slowly the in
spector was pulled upward. and
brought into the Office, where he was
laid on the floor and the work OF re-
viving him was begun.
In a halfdazed condition Starr open
ed his eyes, probably expecting to find
himself in another world. The truth
finally dawned upon him, and involun-
tarily he shuddered at his narrow es-
cape from such an awful fate. 81 was
steadying myself with my hand" eaid
the inspector when it suddenly
slipped, and l realized that I was fall
ing. / screamed, but knew nothing of
what happened until this moment