Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-07-28
HE LOST THE BET.


How a Young Citizen Of Ohio Demon
atrated that He Could Exist Under
Water.
CINCINNATI, July pa curious acct
dent occurred yesterday at Knorr's Ice
pond, short distance from Middletown.
A young man recklessly drowned himself
in the endeaYOr to find cut how long he
could live under water. Jacob Schatz, the
unfortunate victim of this freak, was "a
years of age, Of great athletic
powers, and possessed unbounded
confidence in has strength and
power Of endurance. He was one OF a
number Of young men who have been
accustomed 10 associate together and
whose chief amusement consists in hardy
outdoor sports. A few days ago the group
Of youths were together in Curly's shoot
ing gallery, and the conversation incl
dentaliy turned on the point how long
each OF them could remain under. SchatZ,
who was always prepared to Guido bis
comrades, declared his ability TO
utes, and added that be spoke
from experience, as he had already tried
IT.. AS his companions laughed al the
idea. he arose eXcitedly and said: ~ GU
pay my way into this bath-hOuse and III
prove It to you now" This offer resulted
In the laying OF a wager between SchaH
and one Of his companions named Froh-
meyer on the point IN dispute. The ques-
ton was 10 be decided the next day, or as
soon as occasion offered. AS Schatz was
known TO his companions ms young
man Of iron will, every one felt that he
would at least make the trial.
The party were at the lake at noon yes
terdey, although they had not gone thither
with the object Of deciding the bet. On
the contrary, every one seemed to have
forgotten il save schatz himself. While
clambering up the runway leading to the
icehouse Schatz accidentally dropped
81 80 in change from his pocket. The
money fell into the water and, as he was
a skillful diver and swimmer, he deter
mined 10 recover 1t. He went down and
CROPPED about the bottom twelve cOnsecu-
tive times. The water at the place was
about feet deep, and while one OF his
companions held his feet he would scrape
about the bottom. After a vain search he
crossed the lake, having first declared
that he would return and find the money
or die in the attempt. On his return two
men OF his acquaintance came along in
skid, one OF whom wore q watch. This at
once reminded Schalz of the wager he had
made, and which he had meantime forgot
ten in his effort to recover his lost coin.
Turning to his friend, he said: "NOw. you
time me and Pll settle that bet" No
sooner said than dOne-Schatz was be-
meath the water and Brohmeyer was keep
ing time. SchatZ, to the surprise Of all,
and the uneasiness of some, remained be-
meath the surface for a full minute.
When he assembled he complained Of
sensation between his shoulders
that felt like the pricking Of needles.
Having taken breath and rested, he made
ready to 90 down for the final test The
better to carry out his design, he went
under the runway and took hold of the
chain that stretched across towards the
iCehouse. His comrades were to shout
out at the end OF each quarter Of min
ute. He remained quite still beneath the
water, the crown of his head being just
visible from above, while his hands firmly
grasped the chain. The seconds were
counted and the quarters called out,
while all stood and looked on in breath
less suspense. Two minutes that seemed
like hours passed. when voice broke
the silence:
"FrOhmeyer, you've lost your bet!'
Everyone now expected TO see the am
phibiOus SchatZ arise. But he still held
on TO the chain. Another quarter of a
minute passed, then another, aud finally
another. At last, after having remained
below the surface ~ minutes, Schatz
arose and pulled the air from his lungs.
But while everyone was expecting to see
him climb up on the runway, his hand
dropped from the chain and he sank ap-
parentlv hfeless to the bottom.
One of the young men present leaped
into the water and plunged to the bottom.
He grasped the body, but he was so weak
from excitement be was unable to lift it
to the surface. One of his companions,
named Stretz, who was in a rOwbOat near
by, pulled to the spot and, letting himself
down by the chain, succeeded in raising
with his feet the lifeless body of the vic
tim. All efforts to restore life were USE
less,