MAD LEAP FROM A BELFRY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 25 October 1907, Page 4

MAD LEAP FROM A BELFRY.

PRIEST'S THREE HOURS' EFFORT TO SAVE MAD GIRL. A dramatic story was told at an inquest on Monday, August 19, on a young woman, Minnie Hunt, who while insane leaped from the tower of Saggart Roman Catholic Church, Co Dublin.

The girl was employed as a domestic in the district, and on Saturday afternoon seemed strange in manner. She obtained permission to go to church, and on her return infermed a fellowservant that she had been up in the church tower, and had made Several efforts to throw herself over, but could not do it. Her employer had her examined by a doctor, who suggested that she should be kept under observation, and, pending, the arrival of her mother, a woman was called in for this purpose.

On Sunday Hunt asked for permission to go to mass, but Mr Hutton, her employer, refused to allow her out. Later it was discovered that she had escaped, and had succeeded in making her way to the top of the ohurck tower, which is about 120 ft high. Here, in view of a crowd of horrified spectators, she sat on the edge of the parapet. Efforts were made to reach her from the inside, but it was found that she had locked the door. She also threatened that she would jump if anyone came near her.

The local priest and a sergeant op ned the door at the ground, and succeeded in getting quite near the p,cr girl, but she refused to come down. For three hours Father Seevers knelt on the staircase, beseeching the girl to return. Holding out a crucifix towards her he entreated her to take it and come in, but she refused. When he offered to go towards her she would step forward as if to go over. The situation was a terrible one. Suddenly Hunt leaped over the parapet and fell on the gravelled walk of the churchyard. When picked ud she was Quite dead

wost we would oontinuo straight south, and, if the surface were favorable, woul.l increase the distance between cur depots to 150 irifes. On reaching the gwigraphical Pole, we should strike at angle about north west, and so pick up the mountains lo the westward. When it became neces»ry to return, we would then strike duo cast and begin picking up our last depots.