The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-05-28
A LEAPINC LUNA1IC.
Prof Odiun, for SorOriety, Leaps from
brooklyn Bridge and is Killed.

Prof Ohium, for SoLoriety, Leaps from
brooklyn Bridge and is Killed.
New YoRg, MAJ 2O.-Yesterday after
noon 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 and two men got out and began
to climb the railing. Before they had
reached the top bridge policeman came
Running toward them, Erandishing his cub
aad ordering them to get down out OF
that While he was talking with the
yoang men, a covered wagon containing
Prof. Robert L. Odium and a conl-
paaion stopped about one hundred feet be
hind the cab. Quickly divestiHg himself
of the blue flannel suit in which he was
dressed, the Professor. clad in red
shirt and trunks, jumped from the
carriage and sprang lightly TO the
railing. He quickly reached the top, and
perching himself for a moment he stood
erect and glanced hurriedly at the surface
OF the East River. The people on the
bridge
SENT UP A CRY OF HORROR
when they saw the Professor prepare 70
plunge of the bridge into the river, l35 feet
beneath his feet. The policeman, whose
attention had now been directed from the
two men, rushed toward the Professor. Be-
fore he had gone dozen feet, OdiuIn, with
out a moments hesitation. had lraped out
from the railing into the air. He he'd ore
hand above his head as a ruddeT 10 guide
him in his descent. The river below was
at the moment clear of shipping. A tug
and a schooner floated laZily ia the stream
several hundred yards below the bridge.
IL.
men. Captain Paul BOytOn stood near
the prov anxiously watching the bridge.
The moment Prof. Odlum's body was seen 10
leave the railing, Harry f. DXey, the actor,
started a stop watch which he held i'll his
hand, in order to time the descent. For
nearly hundred feet the Professor came
down all right feet foremost He sho;
down with the speed of g meteor, his red
suit making him easily discernible for a
long distance. When within thirty feet 81
the water the body began to turn, and as if
realizing his danger, Prof. Odium
brought down his hand With warlike mo-
ton to aid him in recovering his balance.
The movement WAS, however, too late. His
body had been turned so far that it was i'm
possible to change its course. Half second
later, with mighty splash that threw Up
the water on all sides as if torn with shell
Prof. OdlumS body
STRUCK THE WATER on ONE SIDE
and sank out of sight. The tug hurriedly
pushed itself forward to the place where
the body fell, and Captain Boyton, after
ceeing that life preservers had been thrown
out into the water sprang 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, ami a
moment later was by his side. Seeing life
preserVer near by he placed it beneath the
body Blood mingled with froth came from
the mouth Of the daring man. 4 row boat
soon came to the rescue and Prof. Odlum
was taken from the water, and in a few
moments he was transferred to the tug and
reStoratives were administered. After con-
siderable rubbing the eyes of the Professor
opened.
What kind of jump did l makee'' he
whispered.
''First-class, my boy" responded Boyton,
you'll be all right in little while"
But the Professor was insenSible again
before the words had hardly left his lips
The tug steamed hastily to her slip and
just as the pier was reached. shudtfcr
passed through the frame OF the Professor
and then after breathing heavily once or
twice his heart stopped beating and he was
pronounced dead. The body was taken
ashore and conveyed to the undertaker's.