Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1882-04-27
WONDERFUL JUMPER
Proposing to Drop From the East River
Bridge, New York.
New York Sun


Among the remarkable athletes in New
York is Robert Donaldson, harness manutac
turer. Mr.. Donaldson was born in Tain,
Highlands of Scotland, twenty-six years ago.
He is feet = inches high, and weighs 154
pounds. He measures 36 inches around the
chest and 50 inches around the waist He is
as cOmpactly built rs Edward Hanlan, the
sculler although his muscles are more texi-
/ ble
! MIR. Donaldson was introduced to Sun
reporter yesterday by Richard X. Fox as a
gentleman who was desirous of making q bet
! that he would Jump from the BROOKLYN
Bridge into the East river
A glance into Mr.. Donaldson's eyes failed
to reveal any gleam of madness or reckless
daring. In fact, he was very mild hammered
and quiet.
"Have you ever jumped from any great
heights, Mr.. Donaldson ~
"A hundred times"
I'm public?'
Only three times in public
Where ~
"Once at Sunderland and twice at High
Bridge"
August II and 19, 1890 When appear
ed on the bridge in tights an Excise Com
missioner bet me $25 that wouldn't Jump
When he paid me the $50 afterward he said
the sight was worth the money. would have
bet him $500 that would make the Jump
safely. l am always perfectly confident and
confidence is nine-tenths of the battle"
DO you think you could jump from the
Brooklyn Bridge and live?n
''I'm certain of it. The bridge is only ten
feet niger than High Bridge. Besides, the
water is lumpy and safer. There is only ten
feet of water under High Bridge. I prefer
broken water to smooth surface"
DO you practice before making a leap?"
Always. l 90 to some retired place where
| can get a jump of forty feet, so as to make
sure Of my position before l go down.
What is your style of dropping? p
Il crouch with bended knees, and hop oil
with my elbows nearly foot from my sides,
with my forearms and palms Of my hands q
little like the f1utter of q birds wings The
first fifty feet l drop like q shot Then the
air catches under my hands, my armpits,
chin and even my ears. 1t takes four sec
onds to drop 100 feet. / breathe while am
descending, and clap my hands over my
chest and press my elbows to my sides just
as / strike the water. All my vital part are
protected My knees protect my stomach.
l believe I could drop 1000 feet if | could
be sure of striking feet first in my crouching
position"
did you jump from High Bridge the first
time you visited it?'
ooh, no; always tamiliarize myself with
a place from which l intend to jump. went
to High Bridge every morning for week,
and crouched with my toes on the wall. By
that means | knew just where my body
would catch the air, and just where l would
breathe going down. Taking long breath
before you start is all nonesnse You have
to go easy and natural. If should toss my
head back at the start, it would land ME on
my head and shoulders and KLINE. They told
me at High Bridge that man named Fran
els was walking on the bridge one day with
two women, when he said: Wait here un-
til 60 and get another drink, then I'll show
you the greatest jump you ever did see
He got his drink and jumped straight down.
After that he laid ten weeks in hospital
before he died A German and negro also
lost their lives jumping there
Can you swim well?
''Yes, ten miles, if necessary"
What part of the year do you prefer for
jumping?"
MAY is the best time
Mr. Fox said he would give Donaldson
500 if he would jump from the East River