The Cecil Whig., 1885-05-23
A LONG LEAP TO DEATH
PlUNGING OVER THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE.
Prof. Robert u. Odlum Jumps from The East
River Fridge to the Water, I35 Feet
Fellow, and Dies From The Shock.

Prof. Robert u. Odlun Jumps from The East
River Fridge to the Water, I35 Feet
Below, and Dies From The Shock.
Soon after o'clock on Tuesday after
noon last, a ear left the New York en-.
trance of the Brooklyn bridge and was
driven to the middle of the great span.
Here the driver pulled up his horses and
two men got out and began to climb the
railing. Before they had reached the
top bridge policeman came running to-
ward them, brandishing his club and or
dering them to Get down out of that
While he was talking with the young
man Il covered wagon containing Prof
Robert E. Odlum and a companion stop
ped about hundred feet behind the cab.
flannel suit in which he was dressed,
Professor Odlum, clad i'll red Shirt and
trunks, jumped from the carriage and
sprang lightly to the railing. He quickly
reached the top and poisins himself for Il
moment he stood erect ana glanced hur-
riedly at the surface of the East river,
far below him. Tie people who were on
the bridge in that vicinity sent up Il cry
of horror when they saw him prepare to
plunge off the bridge into the river, 100
feet beneath his feet. The policeman
whose attention had been directed from
the daring swimmer turned his head just
in time to take in the true situation. lie
left the two young men who had endeav-
ored to throw him off the scent and rush
ed back toward the Professor.
THE TERRIBLE LEAP TAKEN.
Before he had gone dozen feet Prof.
Odlum, without moments hesitation,
leaped out from the railing into the air.
He held one haud above his head as a
rudder to guide him in his descent. The
river below was at the moment clear of
shipping. A tug and schooner hoated
in the stream several hundred yards be-
low the bridge, The tug was filled with
reporters and club men. Captain Paul
Boyton stood near the Prov anxiously
watching the bridge.
The moment Professor Odlums body
was seen to leave the railing, Henry E
DiXey, the actor. started IA stor-watch
which he held in his hand in order to
time the descent. For nearly a hundred
feet the Professor came down all right,
feet foremost He shot downward with
the speed of meteor, his red suit max
ing him easily discernible for long dis
tance. When within thirty feet of the
water his body began to turn. AS if
realizing his danger, Professor Odlum
brought down his hand with "a waveliAe
motion to aid him in recovering his bal
ance. The movement was, however,
made too late. His body had now turned
so far that it was impossible to change
its course. Half a second later. with ii
mighty splash that threw up the water
ON all sides, as if torn by she'll, Pro
feSsor Odlum's body struck the water on
one side and sank out of sight. The tug
hurriedly pushed itself forward to the
place where the body fell, and Captain
Boyton, after seeing that life prcservers
had been thrown out into the water.
sprang over the side of the boat and
waited for the body to come to the sur
face Soon he saw the white face of
the Professor rising from the water, and
a moment later he was by his side Seiz-
ing life -preserver which tioated near,
he with difficulty placed it beneath the
body of the now insensible Professor.
Blood mingled with froth came from the
mouth of the daring man.