Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-05-20
JUMPEDFRoM THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE.
The Foolhardy Act of Prof. OdIum-A 135
Feet Jump to Death.

The Foolhardy Act OF Prof. OdIum-A 135
Feet Jump to Death.
NEW YORK, May l9.-This afternoon q
cab Left the New York entrance Of the
Brooklyn bridge and was driven to the mid
die of the great span. Here the driver
pulled Up and two men got out and began
to climb the railing. Before they
reached the top a bridge
policeman came running toward
them brandishing his club and ordering
them to get down and out of that. While
he was talking with the young men COW
cred wagon with Prof Robert Z. 0dlum and
q companion stopped about 100 feet be-
hind the cab. Quickly divesung himself OF
the blue flannel suit in which he was
dressed Prot. Odlum, clad in red shirt and
trunks jumped from his carriage and sprang
to the railing. He quickly reached the top
and posing himself for q moment he stood
erect and glanced hurriedly at the surface
of the East river far below him. People on
the bridge sent up
\ Cry of Horror
when they saw the Professor prepare to
plunge of the bridge into the river, 1S5 feet
beneath his feet A policeman, whose at
tention had now been directed from the
Boyton, rushed towards the Professor Be-
fore he had gone q dozen feet, Professor
Odlum, without q moments hesitation, had
leaped out from the railing. He held one
hand above his head as rudder to guide
| him in his descent. The river was at that
moment clear of shipping. A tug and q
schooner foated lazily in the stream several
hundred yards below the bridge. The tug
was filed with reporters and club men.
Boyton stood near the Prov anxiously
watching the bridge. The moment Prot.
Odlum's body was seen to leave the railing
Harry f. Dixey, the actor, started a stop
watch.wstch 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 a meteor. His
red suit making him easily discernable fol
long distance. When within so feet o.
the water his body began to turn. AS i
realizing his danger Prot. Odlum brought
down his hand with wsrlike motion to alc
him in recovering his balance. The move
ment was made too late. His body hac
turned so far that it was impossible Il
change its course. Half second lstel
with
A Mighty Splash
Professor Odlum's body struck the wate OF
one side and sank out of sight. The tug
hurriedly pushed itself forward to the place
where the body fell, and Capt. Boyton, after
seeing that life preservers had beer
thrown out into the water, sprsng over III
side and waited for the dody to come TO thC
surface. Soon he saw the professor rising
from the water and q moment later he was
by his side. Seizing life preserver neal
near by he placed it beneath the body Of tht
insensible professor.
Blood Mingled With FrOth
came from the mouth of the daring man
A row boat soon came to the rescue auC
Prof. Odlum was taken from the water. 4
few moments later he was transferred to tht
tug and restorati7es were administered
After considerable rubbing the eyes Of tht
Professor opened. What kind ofjump die
| / maker he whispered "First-class N.
boy," responded Boytou. You'll be al
right in a little while" But he was insen
sible again before the words had hardly lef
his lips.
The Professor Dies.
The tug steamed hastily to her ship anC
Just as the pier was reached q shudder passed
through the frame Of the Professor, snC
then after breathing heavily once or twice
his heart stopped beating and he was pro
nounced dead. The body was taken ashore
and conveyed to the undertakers.
Prof. RObt. f. 0dlum was formerly Pro
fessor ofthe swimming bath in Washington
but Iatterly has been clerk in Willard
hotel. 1t has been his ambition tC
Jump from the Brooklyn bridge. He
made an attempt once before the
bridge was completed, but was prevented
from carrying out his scheme. He wa;
three and a quarter seconds in the air be
fore striking the water. he was unmarried
tbirtYthree years Of age, and man Of good
| habits.