n the non-fiction book “Empire Statesman” (The Rise and redemption of Al Smith”) 2001 By Robt
Slayton, we find our old chum, the ferret faced Otto Eppers W8EA/2EA amateur and cartoonist
extrodinare- His early past is given a few pages in the Slayton offing. Starting Page 395

I

In his latter years old Al Smith, NYC Statesman reappeared, the leader who still felt deeply the painof an average NY’er and would go to great length to cure this. - One of his best moments began
when an unusual letter arrived at the Empire State Building, it was addressed, like so many others,“Mr Al Smith C/O Empire State Bldg., NY City, N.Y.” What made this one unique, however, werethe beautiful hand inked cartoons that graced both envelope and the pages inside.

The first thing you saw; therefore, even before you opened it, were two newsboys amid a typical East
Side scene. One of them, eyes open in disbelief, complains “How in Der Sam Hills are Yer Gonner
prove that after all Dese Years?” His companion clearly the leader of the two, aggressively gesturesand replies, “Well Dots easy, Our pal Mr. Al Smith was Once Der Gov-ner for New York - AN’ suchnews Al Smith Kin never Ferget See!”
Inside the message was revealed, the artist Otto Eppers, grew up in Al Smiths old neighborhood andin 1910 got the brilliant idea to “earn some money by taking a real Brodie from the new Manhattan
Bridge.” For the uninitiated a Brodie meant, taking a dive off the aforementioned span as a publicity
stunt. But someone squealed and the cops blocked that little trick, so Otto turned instead to the firstof its kind, Al Smith’s beloved Brooklyn Bridge and took the appropriate header off its noblewalkway. Somehow Eppers managed to survive but after being suitably arrested and booked, Otto
opened the summer season in Coney island on the strength of his exploit.
This Eppers revelation took 4 written pages to tell, but the first was a doozy. Covering most of thesheet was a remarkable ink drawing; In the background was the Brooklyn Bridge, with a splash in
the water representing where Eppers had concluded his illustrious jump. Dominating the scene,
however, was the foreground section; on a pier, back to the observer but watching the action, stooda man with a derby, arm wrapped around the largest, fluffiest striped cat imaginable! But if the art
seemed festive, the letter was sad. Continued page two.

(NY Times 30 June 1910 Eppers article)
Otto Eppers had moved from NYC and wasliving in Clearfield Pa, a religious young man,he told his story to the local priest, but father
Leo Anderson first “Showed signs of doubt,”
and then just laughed out loud. Our boy Otto
(W8EA) had been humiliated. Through a lot ofyears, miles and bodies had passed under thebridge, Eppers still believed the only man could
or would help him; he asked Al Smith to obtainthe court record of his arraignment and then send
it with a personal letter to Father Anderson,
because “this will surely open their eyes.”
Eppers ended his letter with all he could give; I
hope I didn’t bore you any, “he pleaded, “andshould you ever need a favor that I could grant
upon request - I would fulfill it even at the costof my own life.”
Robert Slayton continued “No matter how
moving the appeal, it is important to stop andthink about what Eppers had requested andwhom he had requested it from.” Obtaining any
kind of evidence of this obscure event, whether
it be a court document or a press clipping (letalone both) would be a long and painstaking
process. And Al Smith was fighting for theEmpire State building, rebuilding his own
finances and figuring out what to do withFranklin Roosevelt. He was a little busy, in otherwords, to be handling that kind of solicitationfrom a total stranger.
On May second 1935 Father Leo Anderson
received a letter from Mary Carr, Al Smith’ssecretary, who enclosed “a photographic copy ofa news clipping as well as the copy of a reportfrom the Police Department.”
QSL cards hand drawn by W8EA/2EA are a joy
to observe. Bob Green collects them and places
up for all to view on www.w8jyz.com A saluteto Eppers even though he has been gone since
the 50s and has a good following now becauseof his talents. We feature the second half of theEppers’ arrest and his Brodie off the Brooklyn
Bridge. Continued page three.

(Continued from bottom line defective print) **4 PM and arraigned before Magistrate Appleton on
the attempted suicide charge. His mother and sister who had been sent for, were in court when theymagistrate heard the charge, he smiled and Eppers couldn’t restrain a laugh. “Well he seems verymuch alive doesn’t he, remarked the magistrate.”
He was admonished on his foolhardiness and let go. As Eppers walked out of the court room, hisfamily received him with many up-braidings. He escaped from them as well and went off in Fishers
auto. Authors note; I’m glad our subject didn’t try this stunt again! He had many good years left inham radio, entered the U.S. Army, married a Pennsy gal & returned to NYC and became a wellknown artisan - staff cartoonist. I’ve tried to obtain Mr. Eppers obituary and have not beensuccessful. It is noted that many are intrigued by the W8/W2EA art work and I for one would love
to have about a thousand QSL cards designed by our subject. One day, May it be so.
Credit NY Times files, Robert A. Slayton’s book “Empire Statesman” By Free Press
W8SU 2009