Rensselaer Republican, Volume 25, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 April 1893 — A HIGH OLD TIME. [ARTICLE]

A HIGH OLD TIME.

Combat "With a Madman on Top ■7" of a Chicago Hotel. The Maniac Tries to Hurl If Is Friend From tbe Hoof of a Sixteen-Story Structure—Saved by Strategy. The roof of the Great Northern Hotel at Chicago, Friday, was the scene of a thrilling adventure, and one that will not soon be forgotten by those who witnessed it. George Doyle, a guest, in company with his friend Albert Gedney, had gone to the roof for a view of the city, when suddenly Gedney was seized with Insanity, from which he had formerly suffered, a few years ago, and approaching Doyle, said: •You've got to jump off the building or I’ll throw you off.” For the first time It came back to Doyle’s memory that Gedney had several years ago been treated for a mild form of insanity in an asylum at home. His first impulse, as the sickening realization of the situation came oyer him, was to call for Kelp, but Gedney is larger and stronger than he, and such a policy might have meaftt almost instant destruction. He . tried to temporize and treat the matter as a joke. “Will you jump?” said Gedney, and began to drag him toward the edge. Doyle fought with the desperation of despair,! and the men, .closely locked together, staggered to and fro over the roof, Gedney steadily forcing his man toward the edge. Twice Doyle tripped him and they fell together and twice Gedney broke away, only to renew the attempt to huri Doyle to the pavement far below. Occupants of adjoining structures finally became aware of the struggle, and rushing across to the hotel informed the proprietor, and a rescuing party started for the roof. As they neared the top Doyle came) dashing down, bareheaded and exhausted. Gedney was found walking calmly around the roof, and tried to treat the matter as a joke. Nevertheless he was locked up for security. Doyle’s escape was by a clever strategy. Feeling that his strength was almost gone, and being at some distance from the edge, he called to Gedney to stop, that he would jump off. When he was loosened he stipulated that he must have a few moments for prayer. He stepped back and knelt down. Gedney, standing in** his place, reverently bent his head. Doyle watched him through his half-closed eyes, and as suddenly and as quickly as a cat he darted through the scuttle. “I knew it was ray only chance,” he said, “and I made a leap for life. I simply jumped for that hole, and I owe my life this minute to the fact that I hit it. If I had missed It Gedney would have hauled me back and the whole thing would have ended sixteen stories lower than it did. 1 felt then as if I had fought him all afternoon, though I do not suppose that the whole thing was over ten minutes, probably less than that. My strength was all gone, and I could not have fought any longer. I would have been game for him if he had got me In his hands again, but then,” continued Doyle, “I would have died game, and would not have died alone.”