The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-06-13
'TRANSFIXED TO WIRE
c. F. WILLIAMS NARROWLY Es.
 CAFES DEATH.
Rescued From Pcriious Positfon On q , Wet Roof by the Heroism of J.H McCann, q Barber.

- c. F. Williams. a lineman employed by the Citizens Light, Heat and Power Company, was transfixed to live cleo trfc light wire on the roof of the three story brick building at 24 North Court street about 3:30 o'clock yesterday af. ternoon and had it not been for the daring bravery of John H. McCann, g barber. 1t is likely that the electrician would have met death.
 Williams was glued to the deadly wire when McCann, at the risk of his own life, rushed to the rescue of the writhing man. The left hand of Will Hams was horribly burned and he suf- fered an agonizing shock.
 After receiving prompt surgical aid the arm of the lineman was bandaged and he was taken In carriage to his residence. 19 Madison avenue.
 few minutes before the accident occrred. Williams was sent from the office of the Citizens Company to cut away some wires from the roof of the building at "A North Court street, the lower floor of which Is occupied by the Exchange saloon, and the second story by Higgins baseball exhibition.
 The exterior of the building was sat- urated on account of the rain that had been railing, and lne electrician, with out any protection, was quickly on the roof of the building to cut looso the z2O volt electric light wires,
 suddenly there was shriek from the topmost part of the building, and ped estrians below saw the immovabie form or the iineman stuck to the wire. He was conscious but unable to loosen himself from the high tensioned wire. He hung over the coping. helpless and crying for assistance. The crowd be- low was mortified and the large crowd at the baseball matinee was interrupted ed by the screams of the lineman. No one would venture to --.e roof of the build ing 10 rescue the unfortunate electri- clan. It was taking ones life in his own hands to attempt his rescue.
 John H. McCann, a barber, employed at North Court street, having been attracted by the screams, and rushing to the doorway of the barbershop. saw the dangling form of the lineman. As Iast as his feet would carry him, Me Cam ran to drug store at the cor ner of Court and Monroe streets, and secured a rubber ice bag which he wrapped around his right hand. With all possible speed, he then climbed through the building to the roof. and In few seconds had pulled the line man on the live wire. McCann re- ceived a severe shock but he escaped uninjured except that his right hand was benumbed for several hours there after.
 In the meantime, the office of the light company had been called by teIe- phone and M. Ralston, chief electrician hurried to Monroe street where he cut out the fuse of the transformer which supplied the electricity to the wire Rut the line had been disconnected only after the daring resc made by MT. McCann Manager Whiting also had his plant cut off the entire supply of electricity in the city, and Patrolman J. l.. Jackson called out the fire de- partment. These things were done after the rescue of Williams from the roof.
 Williams was taken from the build. Ing to nearby drug store where two physicians were summoned. As soon as they arrived they took him to their ohhce where the wounds twere dressed and the lineman was completely resus- citated Williams was then taken to his home
 T knew what was the matter with the man as soon as I looked out of the door and saw him." said MT Mo Cam. the barber T hurried to the nearest drug store. asked them for rubber gloves. They had none. I told them to give me anything they had in rubber goods, and I was handed a thin rubber ice bag which I placed on my right hand. l went through the Ex-
 
 matinee. then. in darkness to the third story and up through an attic to the roof, striking my head several times on timbers.
 When I reached the side of the struggling man, he was conscious. He saw that l had no rubber gloves I told him I had the icebag. He said that would not do and implored me not to touch him, fearing that I might share his fate Nevertheless, I grabbed hold of him and an awful shock went through me. I thought the current was too strong for me and terked loose.
 Presently I saw the lineman gape twice. Then I saw his flesh actually burning. l could not stand it longer and l thought If death was sudden for him, 1t could be no more sudden for me. l grabbed his hand and, with a hard pull, succeeded in freeing him. l, must have been four or five min utes from the time I saw him until got him loose"
 Williams was grasping the wire with his left hand while he held pair of pliers in the other. He was evidently in the act of cutting the secondary 220 volt wire when the metallic roof. combined with the rain that had fallen. formed the almost deadly circuit. Will Hams, it was said. was glued to the wire seven or eight minutes. Had he remained two minutes longer it is be- lieved he would have been dead.
 The left hand of the lineman was burned nearly to the bone, and the muscles of two fingers were scared
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