Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-05-22

Leap From the Brooklyn Bridge.
NEW YORK, May 19.-This after
noon a cab left the New York entrance
OF brookiyn bridge and was driven
70 the middle of the great snan
here the driver pulled up. and two
men get out, and began to climb the
railing. Before they reached the ton
. policeman came toward them brand
lshing his club and ordering them to
get down out of that" While he
was talking with the young men. a
covered wagon containing Prof.
4. Odlum and companlon STONED
shout hundred feet behind the cah
Suickiy oivestng himself of the blue
nsnnel IN which he was dressed.
odlum, clad in red shirt and trunks.
Jumped from the carriage and spranr
nightly to the railing. He quickly
reached the top aud poising himself
Tor a moment stood erect and glanced
hurrledly at the surface of the East
river, far below hlm. The peonle
ON the bridge sent up cry of horror
when they saw the professor prensre
TO plunge off the bridge into the river.
1856 feet beneath his feet.
The policeman now rushed toward
the professor, but before he had gone
dozen feet, Odlum, without a mom-
eals hesitation, had leaped from the
raining out into the air. He held one
hand ab@ve his head as a rudder 10
guide him in his descent. The river
below was at the moment clear of
shipping. a tug and schooner foated
lazily in the stream several huy5rs5
yards below the bridge. The tue WAS
nlied with club men and reporters.
captain Boynton stood near the prov
anxlously watching the bridge. The
moment Odium's body was seen 10
leave the railing Harry f Dixey, the
actor, started stop watch which he
had IN his hand in order to time the
descent.
For nearly hundred feet the pro
lessor came down all right, feet fore
most. tie shot downward with the
speed OF meteor, his rcd suit making
hln easily dlScernible for long dis
tance. When within so feet OF the
water his body began 10 turn. As if
realizing his danger, Odlum brought
down his hand with quick motion,
to aid him IN recovering his balance.
The movement, however, was too late.
The body had turned so far that it was
now impossible to change its course.
Half second later, with mighty
splash that threw up the water on all
sides as If torn with shell, Professor
Odlum's body struck the water on one
side and sank out of sight. The TUG
hurriediy pushed Itself forward To the
place where the body fell and Capt.
Boyntou, after seeing that the life
preservers had been thrown into the
water, sprang over the side OF the
boat and waited for the body To come
to the surface.
Soon he saw the white face of the
professor rising from the water and
a moment later was by his side. Seiz-
ing life preServer near by he placed
it beneath the body of the insensible
man. Blood mingled with froth came
from the mouth of the daring man.
A row boat soon came to the rescue
of Oilum and he was taken from the
water.
A few moments later he was trans
ferred to the tug, and restoratives ad-
ministered. After considerable rub
blng, the eyes of the professor opened.
What kind of jump did l make'"
he whispered. First class, my BOY
responded Boynton, you'll be all
right in little wnile;" but he was in.
sensible before the words bad hardly
left his lips.
The tug steamed hastily TO her slip
and Just as the pier was reached
shudder passed through the frame o.
the professor and then, after breath
ing heavily once or twice, his heart
stopped beating and he was pro
nounCed dead.
The body was taken ashore and con
veyed to an undertakers. Prof. Robt.
E. Odlum was formerly professor OF a
swimming bath in Washington but
latterly has been clerk in Wil.iard's
hotel.
1t had been his ambition TO jump
from Brooklyn bridge. He made the
attempt once before the bridge was
completed, but was prevented by the
police, He was 81 seconds IN the air
before striking the water. Odlum was
unmarried, aged SO years, and man
of good habits.