Morning journal and courier., 1885-05-20

He Jumps From The Brooklyn Bridge
 And Dies Shortly After.

And Dies Shortly After.
 NEW YORK, May 19-Professor R. B. Od- lum arrived in this city from Washington on Friday last to perfect arrangements for his contemplated jump from the East river bridge into the East river. When seen to- day by reporter at Captain Boyton's place on West Twenty ty-ninth street he said: "'1 propose to jump from the bridge. notwith- standing the statement of the bridge officials that they will prevent me. I am confident that the feat can be performed without mis hap and can assure the public that I am as jealous of my personal safety as man can we'll be- have carefully taken into eonsid eration every detail in connection with the undertaking and the more I study it the
 more I am convinced of it's feasibility. The height of the bridge is one hundred and forty feet, being but thirty feet higher than the lump made in 1883 at Marshall Hall on the Potomac, which in my opinion was far more dangerous than my proposed jump from the bridge In jumping will be attired in close fitting Jersey waist and trunks and step off with the left foot first and strike the gether My friends will be in a boat below the bridge and will signal me when the river is clear of boats so that there will be no danger of my landing on the upper deck of a ferryboat or Sound steamer. Captain Boyton also will be in the water attired in his nautical rig to render me assistance if any is needed" /"
 A few minutes after o'clock the professor
 jumped from the center of the bridge and af- ter striking the water he disappeared for few seconds. On reappearing at the surface of the water he seemed to be unconscious and was carried some distance by che tide. Captain Rowe of the tug Charles Rungan, who witnessed the
 act, succeeded with some difficulty in reach ing the body and took it to pier No. Il,
 East river, where it was taken charge of by
 the professors friends. The act was wit
 messed by hundreds of people who were
 crossing the bridge and at first it was thought to be 6 case of suicide. When the
 body was landed at the dock it Captain Rowe states that Odlum was alive when taken from the water, but died before reaching the pier. At the request of the dead mans friends the body was removed to No. 470 Pearl street, where Coroner Kennedy will hold an inquest tomorrow.
 WASHINGTON, May 19.-"Professor" R. E.. Odlum, who jumped from the Brooklyn bridge this evening, was resident of this city where he has lived for many years. He has had varied career. He first attracted | notoriety by jumping from the Aqueduct l bridge which spans the Potomac above Georgetown The distance was about ninety feet and the attempt was per fectly successful. He has given ire quent exhibitions in swimming jackets | and at one time conducted natatorium and at another period was connected with a variety theater as usher and at still another time was connected with summer resort on the Potomac Last year he was employed | at the Hygeia Hotel at Fortress Monroe | where he saved several persons from drown 1 ing by his expertness in swimming. He was about thirty five years of age and unmarried.