Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-06-04
AN INCIDENT RECALLED.

The fatal leap of Robert e. Odlum from
the East river bridge, recalls similar fool
hardy exhibition which, however, did not
terminate fatally. 1t occurred about 35
years ago, but had been nearly forgotten in
the lapse of time. In 1S50.51 there was
constructed across the Niagara river, just
above Lewiston, where the river issues from
the deep gorge extending to Lockport from
Niagara Falls, suspension bridge for ve-
hces and pedestrians. The roadway was
destroyed by the force of the blast sweeping
down this gorge in February, 1864, and
nothing remains of it but shattered frag
ments hanging to the wire cables. This
bridge was $40 feet long, with floor 20
feet wide, and 60 feet above the water. In
the summer of 1851, soon after tho compile
tion of the bridge, poor Swede, with an
unpronounceable name, who answered to
the name Dave" was loatng about the
village doing odd jobs. He stated one day
in the presence Of several persons that in
Sweden he had several times made greater
jumps than the distance from this bridge to
the wafer, and that he would not be afraid
to try it. Upon being offered SO to make
the attempt, he Immediately accepted the
offer The following Sunday, at 2 p. M,
was appointed for the trial. The distance
to be jumped was the least factor of danger
in this proposed attempt. Not only did the
wind from the gorge make it probable that
the Jumper could not maintain q perpendic.
ular position, but the river beneath the
bridge was a furious, swirlng flood, in which
few swimmers would care to venture. These
obstacles were pointed out to the Swedo,
and efforts were made TO dissuade him from
the foolhardy attempt. But as many per-
sons had expressed doubts as to his courage
he declared that he would Jump, regardless
of the consequences. News of the proposed
undertaking had circulated about town, and
ut tho appointed time-a fine July afternoon
IA large crowd was assembled on the bridge
and upon both banks, and many carriages
from Niagara Falls were there.
The Swede was promptly on hand. He
went to the middle of the bridge, clamhered
over the railing to one of the stringers, and
after waving his arm up and down, and
shouting in broken English to the crowd to
look at him, he sprang of. For about %
feet his body kept vertical position, then
the wind struck him, and whirled him
about so that he struck the water on his
back and shoulders, with splash that was plain
ly heard on the banks. He disappeared beneath
the surface, coming up again far below, and feebly
paddled with ono hand Us he was whired and
tossed about by the impetuous current. A boat
had put out from the shore. and to- every bodys
surprise he succeeded in keeping aloat until it
reached him many rods below the bridge The
most remarkable part of the whole affair was that
tho fellow entirely recovered from tho effects of
his crazy leap. Although he was bruised from
head to heels by tho conCussion and confined to
his bed for some days, no internal organs were
injured and he was soon about again Dragging OF
the feats he would undertake in jumping. But
he was wise enough never 10 repeat this one.
"Dave' was q familiar figure i'll that vicinity
many years ago. but as telegraphs and daily pa
pers were in their leading strings in those days it
is likely that his renown is now first published
Sd years after the fact, when Odlums fatal leap
naturally recalls it.-N. y. Times.