The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-07-13
WAS 1T A SUICIDE
Ir1r WAS Not, THEN WHAT WAS TT
a Man said 10 Have Jumped From
the Suspension Bridge Into
the Rivera Number OF
Rumors About
the Case.

Last night considerable excitement was
caused In certain parts Of the city by a
report that man had committed suicide
by jumping from the suspension bridge
into the river. The report spread, and
seemed to grow as 1t spread, until rumors
Of the most ridiculous and exaggerated
nature were generally current. An INTEL
LIoEScER reporter got the story in the ear
llest stage OF It's development over the
telephone line from the Island. 1t was
said that two ladies had passed the man
Just before he jumped, had seen him
Jump, and had heared the noise caused by
his striking the surface OF the water.
These ladies' names were given as
Mrs. Tracy and Mrs. Hamilton,
and their residence was said
to be on South Penn street, whittier the
reporter hied, stopping at the dollhouse
IN route. The inmates OF the dollhouse
seemed 10 think the truth OF the story ex'
tremely doubtful. Once on the Island,
however, we had no difficulty in finding
scores OF people who believed the story,
10 whom, indeed, it had never occurred
10 question its truth. Tho two ladies who
we're reported TO be witnesses OF the fatal
leap, were found without difficulty, and
they told their story in the most straight
forward and coherent manner.
About a quarter past nine they were
crossing the bridge toward home, when
one of them saw man clinging 10 one Of
the iron supports outside the balustfado
ON the north side OF the bridge. He was al
point lust west Of the highest part Of the
arch OF the bridge, Immediately beneath
the lamp, and therefore in the shadow,
| which made clear view OF him extremely
difficult. The ladies were naturally star
tied &C seeing man in so unusual POST
ion, 1t first occurred TO them that he had
secreted himself for the purpose OF making
an assault upon some passer by. But JUS
after they had passed, and while they
were looking back to get a better view o.
him, the man let himself down from the
support, swung out over the water, delib
erately let go his hold, and fell down,
DOWN TO DEATH.
Just as he fell they said he uttered amos'
sgonizing sound, and this was twice re-
peated before they heard the loud splash
that announced that his body had struck
the water. The ladies were OF COURSE
alarmed and shocked by the occurrence
and they made the best OF their way tc
the house OF a friend on Virginia street
They had good look at the man, and
gave somewhat particular description OF
him. He wore a light straw hat, black
dress coat, white shirt or vest, and white
collar with black necktie. Heimpress-
ed them as being OF rather broad build
though owing to his STOPPING posture they
could form no idea OF his height.
At the time OF the fall the bridge was
almost entirely bare OF passers. The two
Messrs. Beamer, father and son, OF the
Island, were a short distance behind Mrs
Hamilton and her sister, and distinctly
heard the splash. Several boys in bathing
at the riverside below, also proiessed &c
have heard the fall, and to have seen the
livht CLEAN on the waves caused by the
body striking the water.
On his way TO the Island the reporter
met gentleman who had heard OF man.
having been seen on Wafer street wh'
protested to have leaped from the bridge
ior wager. In tracing up this rumor we
ran across another man who claim
ed to have seen the hero OF the ex
plot at the Husemsn House. HI
described him, and he answered the de
scription given by the ladies very closely
He said his clothes were wet, and ht
showed every sign OF the truth OF his
story. At the Huseman house, however
everyone proiessed entire ignorance Of the
occurrence. This was done, however, IL
manner that impressed the hearer with
it's insncerity, and raised suspicion that
there was more knowledge in that viclni'
ty than information.
Jump from such height into the river, at
80 low a stage. II a person did make the
Jump. as it seems some person did, and
lives to relate his exploit, he must have
escaped by miracle,