Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-05-20
A FooLHARDY ATTEMPT.

Prof. Odlum recently engaged at Old
Point Comfort, jumped from the Brooklyn
bridge into the East river yesterday after
noon, and died soon after being taken from
the water.
Soon after four o'clock cab left the New
York entrance of the Brooklyn bridge and
was driven to the middle of the span. Here
two men got out and began to climb the
railing. Before they had reached the top
a policeman came running toward them, and
ordered them down. While he was talking
with the young men, q covered wagon con-
tanning Prof Robt. E. Odlum and a com
nanion stopped about hundred feet behind
the cab. Quickly divesting himself of his
blue flannel suit, Prof. Odlum, clad in a red
shirt and trunks jumped from the wagon
and sprang to the railing. he quickly
reached the top, and posing himself tor
moment, he stood erect and glanced hur-
rjedly at the surface of the East river lar De-
low him. The people who We're on tne
bridge in that vicinity sent up cry OF nor
ror when they saw Prof. Odum prepare 10
plunge of the bridge into the river, l3o feet
beneath his feet. The policeman turned MS
head lust in time 10 take in the true situa-
ton, He left the two young men who bad
| "'SSA'S
rushed back toward the Professor. Before
he had gone dozen feet, Prof. Odlum, with
cut a moments hesitation, had leaped out
from the railing into the air. He held one
| hand above his head as rudder 10 guide
him in his descent.
The river below was ut the moment clear
| of shippipg. tug several hundred yards
| below the bridge was filled with reporters
and club men. Capt. Paul Boyton stood
near the bow apxiously watching the
bridge. A moment later Prof. .Odlum's
BODY was seen to leave the railing. For
nearly hundred feet he came down all
right feet foremost. He shot downward
with the speed of meteor, his red suit
making him easily discernible for long
distance When within thirty feet OF the
water his body began TO turn. AS II real
| ling his danger, Prof. Odum brought down
bis baud with a wave like motion to AID
him in recovering his balance. The move
ment was, however. made too late. HIS
body had now turned so far that it was i'm
possible to change its course. Half sec
ond later, with mighty splash that threw
up the water on all sides as if torn with
she'll, Prof. Odlum's body struck the water
on one side, and sank out Of sight.
The tug pushed forward to the place
where the body fell, and Capt. Boyton
fsprang 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 moment later he was
by his side. Blood, mingled with froth, came
from the mouth of the daring man.
The body was dragged into the boat and
restoratives were administered. After con-
siderable rubbing the eyes of the sufferer
opened and sought the face OF Capt. Boyton.
"What kind of Jump did make?" be
whispered.
'First-class, my boy" responded the Cap
tain you'll be all right in little while"
But he was insensible again, almost before
the words had left his lips. The bow OF
the tug was turned the city, and all steam
was crowded on. Just as the pier was
reached shudder passed through the frame
of the Professor, and then, after breathing
heavily once or twice, his heart stopped
beating.
Professor Odlum was born in Washing
ton, and his mother and sister now reside
there. Odlum was thirty seven years old,
and had gained considerable notoriety as a
long distance swimmer. In 1880 he jumped
from the Aqueduct bridge to the Potomac,
and later from the top OF the smokestack OF
the Lady of the Lake. His last employment
was at Wizards Hotel in Washington,
which he left to 60 to New York to make
this Jump. Odlum's mother and sister did
all they could to prevent his making the
jump from the bridge, and sent kilograms
to the chiefs Of police of Brooklyn and New
York, asking them to interfere. The mother
and sister are nearly crazed with grief ut
the result of the rash attempt.