Milford chronicle., 1885-05-29
NEWS FROMALL POINTS
WHAT Is GOING ON OF INTEREST IN
THIS AND OTHER COUNTRIES.
SAM PATCn,s sUCCEssOR.
Robert Emmett OdIum Springs from the
Biz East River Bridge 20 Death,

A CLEAN Of red tights flashing through the
air, swirling, writhing body midway between
the East River bridge and the green water, a
heavy plash like a gunshot and Robert En-
met Odlum, gasping and almost dead, hoated
face downward in the East River. II had
been known for some time that Odlum pro
posed to take flying leap of the bridge, but
the authorities Of New York city had deter
mined to prevent the exhibition. On Tuesday
Odlum said to his friends;
Gentlemen, 1 am bound to do il. I've
come here from Washington to make this
jump; it is perfectly easy. al I am afraid Of
is that the police will stop me and people Will
say it's put-up job Odlum, with a suit Of
ordinary clothing over his jumping dress, rode
out 10 the centre of the bridge In a wagon.
It was but the work Of q moment for the
athlete to bound lightly from the wagon to the
roadway, and in another moment his head
aud shoulders showed above the big girder
that runs six feet above and parallel to the
roadway, from which hangs lattice-wOrk Of
wire ropes. Quickly he drew himself up and
stood balancing himself, his right hand grasp
ing one Of the big guy ropes. A schooner was
bearing down against the wind on the strong
ebb tide, but Just as she neared the bridge she
tackled and went about from right under Cd
lums feet leaving a clear space beneath. Then
the crowds Of foot passengers on the bridge
raised a shout as they saw the red-elad figure
poised on the girder below them. The police
man on the roadway heard the cry and stimuli
taneously rushed toward the man. But they
were too late. With a hooking glance over
his left shoulder he lightly sprang of, holding
his right hand high and straight above him.
His head was bent back on his shoulders
and his eyes were turned toward the skies.
sfThere he goes" yelled the crowd aud Henry
E. Dixey touched the spring Of his stop-watch.
Two-thirds of the 125-fOot drop to the water
Odlum accomplished in a tWinkling, his body
IL a 1.
backward and his back curved. Systematically
his legs drew mp. With a desperate sweep
downward Of the right arm he vainly tried 10
right himself
In half a second the body struck the water
with a splash that could be plainly heard 600
feet away. Odlum's back was bent-his head
doWn-lke a bow, and although his feet
struck water first the conclusion must have
been awful. The time occupied by the descent
was 81 seconds. He sank out Of sight, and
the watchers held their breath, but in mo-
ment a CLEAN of red could be seen Just be-
meath the surface Of the water, and with
ringing hurrah the people above and below
cheered the daring swimmer. But he did not
hear it.
His head dropped far forward, and his body
was bent in the shape Of a crescent. A row
boat had put of from the tug, but the tide
carried it out of reach. The tug steamed near
the floating body and Boyton plunged head
foremost toward 1t, having removed only his
coat and vest. He brought the face above the
water but before the clumsy men in the row.
boat could have the body aboard a schooner
nearly ran down B yton and his burden.
After long suspense the limp, death-like
mass was pulled into the small boat and was
thence taken on board the steam tug. The
upper part Of Odlums back right thigh was
torn, black and bleeding and the whole left
side Of the back was q mass Of black and blue
flesh His eyes were closed and his head
lolled about as if his neck were rubber. The
red swimming shirt was slit up the back as if
ripped with a keen knife.
Efforts were made to resuscitate Odlum, but
no soon afterward died, he having burst
blood vessel.