Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1885-05-21
oDLuAps LEAr TO prArH.
He Jumps From Brooklyn bridge
and H. ExfrIed

NEW YORK, May l9.-Soon after O'Clock
this afternoon cab left the New York
entrance 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
ratings. Before they had reached the top
bridge policeman came running toward
them brandishing his club and ordering
them to Get down out of that" While he
was talking with the young men covered
wagon, containing Professor" Robert E.
odlum and a companion, stopped about 100
feet behind the cab. Quickly divesting him
self OF the blue flannel suit In which he was
dressed, Professor odlum, clad in a red
shirt and trunks, jumped from the carriage
and sprang lightly to the railing.
He quickly reached the top, and
poising himself for moment. he
stood erect and glanced hurriedly at thp
surface OF the East river far below him.
The people who were on the bridge In that
vicinity sent up u ary OF horror when they
saw odlum prepare to plunge of the bridge
into the river 1856 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. He left the two young men who
had endeavored TO throw him of the scent,
and rushed back towards the professor
Before he had gone u dozen feet Odlum,
without moments hesitation, had leaped
out from the railing into the air. He held
one hand above his head MS u rudder TO
guide him In his descent. The river below
was at the moment clear OF shipping. A
tug and Il schooner iioated In the stream
several hundred yards below the bridge.
The tug was filled with reporters
and club men. Captain Paul Boyton stood
near the prov anxiously watching tho
bridge. The moment 0dlum's body was
seen to leaye the railing Harry Il. DiXey, the
actor, started stop watch which no held
in his hand in order to time the descent.
For nearly 100 feet the professor" came
down all right, feet foremost. He shot
downward with the speed of meteor, his
red suit making him easily diseernible for
a long distance. When within 80 feet Of
the water his body began to turn. As II
realizing his danger, Odlum brought down
his hand with Il waive-llke motion to aid
him In recovering his balance. The move
ment was, however, made too late. His
body had now turned so far that II was inn
possible to change its course. Hall second
later, with Il mighty splash that threw up
the water On all sides ~ II torn with u shell
Odlum's body struck the water ON one side
and sank out of sight
The tug hurriedly pushed itself forward
| to the place whore the body fell and Captain
Boyton, after seeing that life prcseryers had
been thrown out into the water, sprtlng over
| TO come to tho surface. Some one saw tho
| white face of the professor" rising from
the water, and II moment later he was by
| his side. Selling u life preservcr, which
| iloated near, lie with difficulty placed II be-
| nenth the now insensible professor" Blood
mingled with froth came from the mouth OF
/ tho daring man. A row boat, which came
to the rescue of the captain and his charge,
was soon pushed within his reach. With
| considerable difficulty the body of the PRO
fessor'' was dragged into the boat A few
moments later 1t WIS transferred to the tug
and rcstorativcs were administered. After
considerable rubbing, the eyes of the suf-
ferer opened and sought the face of Captain
Boyton.
''What kind OF jump did l make ?" he
/ whispered.
"Flrst-class, my boy responded tho cap.
tain; "yOu'll br all right In little while
But he was insensible again before the
words had hardly left his lips. The prov o
the tug was turned toward Old slip and al
steam was crowded on.
just as the pier was reached a shuddel
passed through the frame of the PRO
fessor," and then, after breathing heavily
once or twice, his heart stopped beating and
| death came to his relief. Sorrowfully thu
body was taken ashore and conveyed by
carriage to the undertakers on Pearl street
Professor Robert l.. 0dlum was formerly
II professor of n swimming bath in Washing
ton, bnt latterly had acted as a clerk IL
Wizards Hotel. II has been the ambition
and dream of his life to make this iumI
from the Brooklyn bridge. He made thu
attempt once before the bridge was com
pleted, but was prevented from carryin,
out his scheme by the police. He was tire,
and one-fourth seconds in the air befor,
| striking the water. He was unmarried
81 years of age, and IL man of good habits