Racine Journal-News, February 22, 1917
Climbs Swaying Pole to Raise “Old Glory”
Philip (Nighthawk) Racine Scales Court House Flagstaff with Wind Blowing a Gale
While many persons in Racine cast their eyes skyward today in the direction of the flagstaff of the courthouse and turned away with thoughts or remarks concerning the apparent unpatriotic spirit of the count officials in not having a flag hoisted on Washington’s birthday anniversary there was a man 40 years of age nearly breaking his neck to climb to the top of the flagstaff to put in a new rope so that “Old Glory” could fly over the county building.
For some days past count officials had been looking for a man who would volunteer to climb the pole and put in a new rope. The top of the flag pole itself is over 50 feet from the top of the courthouse dome and the climb to its uppermost extremity brings a man 150 feet above terra firma.
First Attempt Failure
For $15 Philip Racine, a sailor, offered to do the job this morning. Dressed in worn clothing and with his coat off and trousers tied with binder twine at the shoe tops, he made a desperate effort to earn the $15 in five minutes. He shinned bolding up the slippery pole, but when within six inches of the pulley through which the flag rope was to be placed, he was seized with a cramp from gripping the flagstaff tightly with his legs. He was force to come down again without having finished the job.
Hundreds Watch Man
A second attempt with a strap was made, the strap being wound around the flag pole and used as a seat and a brake for the climber. Steadily by slow climbing on the waving pole, Racine finally reached the pulley and put the rope through while hundreds below gazed at the animated speck high in the air on the slender flag pole. Racine got his money, but was chagrined that he was obliged to work so long for it because of his inability to accomplish his purpose at the first attempt.
Half Hour to Ascend
It took Racine, who is familiarly known here as “Night Hawk,” a half hour to climb to the pole’s top the second time and half that time to descend. By noon, the stars and stripes waved from the top of the county building with hundreds of others in the city.
