Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-10-31
OVER THE BRIDGE.
But Not Down TO Dea.h-A Man Tries to
Suicide by Jumping Off the Bridge, but
the water Was SO Cold He Was Induced

But Not Down to Dea.h-A Man Tries to
Suicide by Jumping Off the Bridge, but
the Water Was SO Cold He Was Induced
to Wade Ashore.
Since The time that Graves the desanlter
sprang liza the bridge into the Mississippi
not single attempt at suicide from it's giddy
height had been attempted till Yesterday after
noon, when the news spread all over the CITY
that man had jumped from the bridge into
the river. GLOBE envoy was soon or the
spot, and was quickly in possession Of the
whole circumstances. 1t would appear that
two men were crossing the bridge going toward
the Sixth ward. One man was = naoa
or two in front Of the other.
just after passing the boat house island the
man in front looked round and Jaw his COM
panlon getting between the top and second
rail. he ran back, but when he reached him
the man was hanging by his hands to the
bridge. His companlon seized him by the col
lar, but at that moment he let go the bridge
and his weight tore him from the others grasp,
and he fell whirling down, cleaving the inter
vening air, till he struck the water i'll the
depths below. The man who had tried to save
him was horror-stricken at the fearful spectacle,
and shudderingly drew back. when he heard
the blood-curdling thud. Recovering himself,
he ventured to look over into the river, when,
to his surprise, he saw the would-be suicide
wading down the stream. In quick haste he
hur1~bd over the bridge, and rushing into the
river, waded out to the eccentric bather
and forced him toward the shore, where quite
crowd had gathered. By the assistance of
officer Powell and two other bystanders, the
man was taken to the Travellers Home" where
he was stripped and put to bed almost chilled
to death.
The GLOBE man found him here and when
he had recovered sufficiently to answer intelli-
gently, ELECTED from him all he knew of the
transaction. He said his name was William
King; he was born in Pennsylvania of Catholic
parents; he was baptized a Catholic, but never
had the privilege of attending to his religion.
He bad worked in st. Paul since last spring
part of the time for Mr. O'Brien on the Ohio
stree grading. Five days ago he went to the
boarding house where he now lies. He had then
about $40. he had spent it all in the house
excepting $40, which he had when he left for
Minneapolis Monday
Reporter-Did you spend 1t on drink?
Kng-No.
He said he was going to work on the St.
Louis railroad, but did not feel we'll, and came
back. He did not know anything about jump
ing over the bridge; he had no recollection of
anything; did not know who took him out or
carried him to the boarding house; only now
knew anything; had been drinking pretty
heavily Tor the past week, aud felt bad.
The landlady of the Travellers home
eesAu ensso NAii WsaS q quiet, well DeneFeQ maj!
he had boarded with her when he worked for
O'Brien; he did not drink or touch drop of
liquor for six months at time.
Mr.. Moroney, the man who waded out into
the river and brought King to the shore, said he
could not account for his acting 60. He did
not wish to go over the bridge, and it was q
long time before he could be persuaded to GO.
When he tried to get him out of the water he
cried out, Let me alone, let me die. want to
die" When questioned, King esid he did not
feel any effects from his extraordinary leap.
only his feet and legs felt little sore. The
height from which the man fell must have been
over fifty feet, and those who witnessed his
descent say they never expected to see him
come out of the water alive.