New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-05-21
ROBERT ODLUM'S FATAL LEAP
HIS INJURIES AS SHOWN BY THE AUTOPSY.
BELIEF THAT lie WOULD HAVE JUMPED SAFE
TY II NOT INTERFERED WITH.

BELIEF THAT lie WOULD HAVE JUMPED IN SAFE
TY If NOT INTERPRETED WITH.
The dead body of Robert Emmett Odlum, the
swimmer. who died within an hour after jumping from
the Bridge on Tuesday afternoon, lay all the morning
yesterday In an icebox in rear OF Coroner Ken
nedy's undertaking shop at No 40 PearLst A bunch
ofoose white flowers roses hellotropes and lliesofthe
valley lay upon the box. They a tribute from Cap
tain Paul Boyton and few other friends of the ucless
jumper Crowds Of people beseged the doorway all day.
asking permission to go In and view the body Many Of
them were women. A few only were admitted. col
ored man, who said that he had waited upon Odum in
Washington, gazed down at tho features OF the dead
man, calm In DEATH while tears down his face.
AT four O'Clock a delegation OF doctors soame and
with sharpened scalpes, under the supervision Of the
Coroner began the autopsy which lasted for our
more. They were Deputy Coroners Conway and Jen-
kins and Drs Justin Herrold OF No 80 Chartonst and
g. g. Kerr OF No. 14s Madison-st The only other wit
nesses OF the autopsy group OF reporters Od-
lums physical development that OF an athlete. He
was five feet eleven inches tall measured 39ls inches
around the chest and weighed 173 pounds To all out
ward appearances he man in the best possible
health but the postmortem examination disclosed IN
cpient stages OF consumption that might,
DIR. Conway said, have carried him of
in ten years. No human aid gould
have availed him." continued DR.. Conway, after he
struck he water The force OF the conclusion must have
been frghtfu All the vital organs the left side.
which he struck ruptured including the liver tho
Kidneys the spleen and the base OF the left lung Five
OF tho ribs tho left side fractured the fractures
running around toward the back. It just II he
had been crushed I'm n sand-bank Any one OF these
wounds sufficient to have killed him. but the imme-
date OF death hemorrhage from the ruptured
lung. He was not in good physical trim to take that
Jump. anyhow. His right kidney filed with cystic
degencraton and there tubercuar deposits on the
apex OF the right lung which only the beginning OF
consumption Besides all this found his breakfast OF
beesteak and potatoes undgested and faint suspicion
Of alcoholic -tlmulant I'm his stomach"
friend who was with Odlum several hours previous
his leap said that Odum had been extremely nervous
and had taken two whiskey punches to nerve him
self for the feat 1t Is just like stage fright, ."
he said and Will be all 1t once am on the
Bridge"
DR.. Conway expressed his belief that II the Bridge
police had ntcricred and rendered the jumper nery
and hasty he would have accomplished hIs descent
In safety Every expressed a similar belief ncud-
Ing Coroner Kennedy.
shall not make any arrests" said the latter official,
" I'm this case But viii hold an inquest on Monday
and shall summon Boyton and the rest who had any
thing 20 do with the feat before tho jury II my jury
censures condemns them then. will arrest them"
Captain Boyton " Paddy" Ryan. Wrestler Muldoon,
Henry l.. Dlxoy. Ebcn Plympton and others who wit
messed the leap from the deck Of the tugboat Charles
Runyon all OF one opinion yesteray-that II the
police had not hurried Odlum no would have dropped
the Bridge safely and that the leap was taken In
the face OF their united and vigorous opposition Boy
ton positive that thought OF advertisement TO
himself induced him to play tho part he did In the affair
James Haggert, who acted As Odlnms decoy and thus
fooled tie police tho Bridge. arraigned before
Justice Walsh In Brooklyn yesterday and charged with
carrying pistol concealed In his clothing. and with
" aiding abcttng and encouraging Robert f. Odum to
commit an act mmncntly dangerous to human life'
The prisoner asked be allowed to procure counsel and
his examination was adjourned until tomorrow morn
ing.
District Attorney MARITIME said that he had looked mp
the law but that "a there grave doubts about his
ability convict Boyton. Ryan aud the others. he had
concluded to await the action OF the Coroners jury
Last night In accordance with the desire OF Odlums
sister, Charlotte smith. the body was shipped to her
home No. 2l5 Four-nnd-one-half-st. Washington. IL
will bo buried In Nj. Vernon Cemetery.