The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-06-17
FALL Of 80 FEET
CURED DRINK HABIT
Steeplejack, Intoxicated at Time of
Accident, Is Completely Cured
Saw Man Fall to Death.

TOPEKA, June l7.-Tha fact that he
once fell so feet and that on another
occasion the man who was working by
his side fell 30 feet TO his death
does not deter Il. ii. Bjokman from
continuing his occupation as a steeple-
climber and repairer. He Is busy just
now fixing up spires In Topeka.
hickman was sailor once, and Is OF
the opinion that there is nothing better
for the young man than term OH the
water. His work In Kansas OF painting
and repairing steeples reminds him in
n way OF the ocean. Perched from $50
10 21l- feet aAere- the-eafth, Tire great
green wheat fields that sway under
the winds remind him of the waves
and the sea. AS he looks out over this
expanse OF waving green from the top
OF Ia church spire II makes him
want 10 be back on the water.
Bjokman's home is at Canton, O. AT
the age Of nine he went 10 sea. His
training as steeplejack has beea
strenuous. OF and on hickman has
worked at the trade for years. In HIS
later ocean trips he was employed as
cook Two years ago he left the
sea, but expects some day to return 10
II IL he does not meet the fate Of hiE
predecessors in their antics on high.
The Work Pays Well.
Bjokman is making good money In
his Kansas steeple climbing. He gets
big wages for the risky work. and or
ders are coming to him from towns
that have tall church spires needing
paint and repairs which local work
men refuse TO undertake.
II did not learn the trade by fol
lowing the sea-" Bjokman said. "for
man cannot learn TO work on steepleS
by climbing the masts ~ the large
vessels On board the ships and In
climbing the masts all that Is taught
you Is the art OF tying knots. There
IL much more than that 10 the trade
which am following. and all that Is
in II can only ne learned by actual
experience"
With a noted steeple climber. Billy
Edwards Biokman began lis career iii
steeple work His first job was in
Youngstown. o. where he worked
when in his teens. From the tower of
Trinity church he saw the man who
taught him his trade fall 90 feet 10
the slated roof. where he was picked
up lifelelss with few unbroken bones
in his body. The fall came az the re-
suit OF sunstrOke received while he
was working at midday in the sum.
mer.
Hours Of Employment.
II have profited by that experience.
said hickman. ''and have made 1t a
rule never to work more than FIVE
hours q day. and that always In the
morning If should work too earl"
I would freeze up there and be unable
10 handle the ropes while II ! work in
the heat OF the day there Is the pos
sibility that would suffer sunstroke.
One IS as dangerous as the other.
The nearest Bjokman aver came 10
losing his life was while working on a
high tower in Salem, Ore He admits
that he was slightly intoxicated and
rell from his scaffolding. distance of
so feet. 10 the fat roof surrounding
the tower His hands were badly lac
Grated and he was injured internally
hut when he recovered he went TO his
work again. His halfintoxicated con-
dition. he thinks. saved his life. but
the experience cured him Of the liquor
habit.
while working on the steeple Of the
paptIst church OF his home town, can
ton he ran into nest OF hornets,
which proceeded to make things live
" for him. He was stung haf
dozen times before he was able to
make a descent He smoked them our
and proceeded with his work.
The city OF Ottawa is contemplating
IN addition 10 the water works stand
nine and Bjokman has been engaged
70 paint It. 1t will reach a height
nrectically the same as the highest
steeple that he has ever worked on.
THAT was church in Mansfield, o.,
where from the ground up the steepls
reached a height of 26i feet while
rho steeple itself was 100 feet from
cornice 20 peak.