The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1885-05-30
Death Of "a FOOihardy Disciple
Of Sam Patch.


r. E. Odlum, Washington swim
ming master, who was well known in
the capital, and who taught the
children OF President Hayes and
President Garfield the art If swim
ming, jumped from the great span OF
the Brooklyn bridge into the East
River on the afternoon of May 18th
and was killed by the concussion.
Odlum, in whose mind the deeds
of Sam Patch and other famous
jumpers were ever present. had for
some time entertained the idea of
jumping from the great bridge.
He thought he could do it success
fully as he had made many jumps
from lofty elevators into the Poto-
mac, and he was perfectly at home
when once in the water. He said
only half an hour before he made
the fatal leap that he had perfect
confidence in his ability to make the
fearful descent and emerge from the
water unhurt. He would thus eclipse
the achievements Of Sam Patch and
not only win fame, but advertise
himself and 30 help. his business in
Washington.
He had announced his purpose be-
fore hand, and the bridge police
were Oh the lookout for him, deter
mined that the foolhardy attempt
should not be made. 1t became nee
essary, therefore. to contrive some
strategy by which the police could be
thrown off the scent The did not
prove to be difficult. At 4:45 o'clock
this afternoon a man dressed in
swimming costume and accompanied
by friends drove upon the bridge
from the New York side and trotted
swiftly out toward the centre. The
mans dress at once attracted the
attention of the police, and. believ-
ing that he was the would be jumper,
they started in pursuit. The wagon
stopped at the centre of the bridge,
and the police Immediately surround
ed it. leaving their posts along the
roadway.
This was the opportunity that Cd
lum desired, for the man in the
swimming costume was simply q
dummy, whom he had sent ahead to
draw off the blue coats. As soon as
he saw the road was clear Odlum,
accompanied by two attendants, and
wearing an overcOat closely buttoned
over his red trunks, drove rapidly
upon the bridge in an ordinary ex-
press wagon. He excited no sus-
picion. When the express wagon
reached point about halfway be-
tween the New York tower aud the
centre of the bridge 1t euddenly
stopped aud Odlum, throwing off his
disguise, leaped from the vehicle,
jumped upon the outside railing OF
The bridge, his red tights showing
with startling distinctness against
the ky, and, raising one arm, made
signal to some friends who were
watching him from tugboat in the
middle of the river below. He did
not wait a minute after giving his
signal, but placing his hands by his
side and pressing his feet together,
slid quickly from the railing, and in
an instant was shooting toward the
water, 1870 feet below. With fright
ful velocity be sped downward. still
holding himself in position, his
straight red form flashing like an
arrow through the air.
Suddenly, and for what reason will
never be known, when the descent
was about half completed. his friends
were h0rrifed to SEE him lose his
balance, spread his arms in vain
attempt to regain it, and then whirl
around in the air and strike the wa
ter with resounding blow, fat upon
his back and side. The ting steamed
Instantly to bis side, and bis man.
gled and bleeding form was lifted
from the water. 1t was seen at once
that he could not live. His ribs
we're crushed in. his body was black
and blue, blood was squirting from
the bursted veins and arteries in his
side and legs and his skin was swollen
into Jumps where the blood was