The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1885-09-23
HE WON THE WAGER.
The Suicidal Folly OF an Ohio Swimmer,
Sacrificing His Life for Bet.

party of young fellows left Cincinnati
for Knows Lake, near Middlstown, Ohio.
Among them was Jacob Schatz, an athletic
young fellow and an excellent swimmer. A
few days before the party left that city
Schatz bet that he could stay under water
two minutes. They reached the lake, and
gathered together on the runway for ice
that leads up to the ice house. Schatz had
on light, loose fitting suit of clothes, and,
while attempting to Chamber onto the plat.
form, $3.50 in change slipped from his
pocket and fell with an irritating patter into
the water Schatz threw off his clothes,
and suggestive splash told the fishermen
that they had as well seek q more quiet
locality. Schatz went down twelve times
in succession. He would dive down, and,
while Billy Stretz held his feet, he would
rum;nage about with his hands in vain
search of the Ice. soin.
skif containing William Goodheart and
George Meehan soon appeared. The two
were on their way to the lake by the canal
One of them carried watch. No sooner
had Schatz noticed the fact than he turned
to Frohmeyer and remarked that Lere was
an opportunity of settling their wager.
Now you time me,n he concluded, and
Initiating his lungs stood for an instant nicely
poised on the edge of the staging and then
like flash shot headforemost into the
water. At the expiration of minute be
arose, putting, to the surface. He CON-
planned of feeling prickly sensation be-
tween his shoulder blades. The sensation
passed speedily away and in few minutes
he announced that he was ready once more
The second time he adopted measures that
would warrant his staying under water until
he chose to rise. He swan underneath the
staging, and reaching out secured firm hold
of the chain that extended between two
posts. Before going down he arranged with
those above to shout at the expiration of
each quarter. Then holding his nose with
his left hand, his right still grasping the
chain, he sank gradually down until just
the crown of his head was visible above
the water. The seconds sped by, and as the
hand approached the limit of time one of
the boys turned to Frohmeyer with the re-
mark
You've lost your bet."
Two minutes passed and the first quarter
On the third was scored, and still the
white, muscular arm retained It's rigidity
and the sun-browned hand grasped the
chain.
$780, the timekeepers announced and
the Watchers grew uneasy. Just as the
minute hand passed 2:45 the divers head
appeared above tho surface. He expelled
tho mir from his lungs and before anyone
could interfere the hand that had grasped
the chain fell limp upon the surface of tho
water and the swimmer sank like stone to
the bottom. 9 fe0
In an instant all was excitement. Young
Mauthe called excitedly to Stretz, who was
rowing ieisurely toward them, to hurry in
with the skiff, as Schatz was drowning.
Then he leaped into the water and found
the body, but was unable to raise 1t.
As soon as felt IT," said he, relating
the terrible story "I knew II was oil up
with Jake and got SO weak the other boys
had to help me out" Stretz reached the
spot q moment later and, grasping the
chain, let himself down and, twining his
legs about the body of his friend, drew il to
the surfnce. Among them they placed it
upon the shore and that ended fishing ex-
cursion that oil will remember with shud.
der Cincinnati Enquirer.