The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1885-05-21
PROF. ODLUM'S LAST LEAP.
HEJUMPs OFF BROOKLYN BRIDGE
Capt. Paul Boynton aud otaers Wituess
His Daring and Ills Death-Control
of His Body Lost When
Nearing the water.

a cab entered the New York entrance
of 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 rail-
ing. Before they had reach
ed the top bridge policeman
came running towards and or
dered them 20 ''get down off that"
While he was talking to the young men
covered wagon containing Prof.
Robert T.. Odlum and a companion stop.
ped about hundred feet behind
the cab and quickly divesting himself
of the blue flannel coat in which he was
dressed. Prof. Odlum, clad in a red shlrt
and trunks, jumped from the carriage
and sprung lightly TO the railing.
He qHickly reached the top, and posing
himself Tor moment, he stood erect
and glanced hurriedly at the surface
OF East river, far below him.
The people on the bridge sent
up a cry OF horror when they
saw the professor prepare to plunge OF
the bridge in the river 1876 feet below.
now been directed from the ladies,
rushed toward the professor. Be-
fore he had gomez a dozen
feet Prof. Odlum, without q
moments hesitation, had leaped
from the railing into The air. He had
one hand above his head as a ruddder
TO guide him in his descent. The river
below was for the moment lli
''' schooner fldated lazily in
the stream, several hundred yards be-
low TIE bridge. The tug was filled with
reporters and club men. Boynton stood
near the prov anXiously watching the
bridge. The moment Prof. Odlum's
badly was seen to leave the
railing, Harry E. Dixon, the actor,
started stop watch which he held in
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 dis
cernable for long distance.
Within 30 feet Of the water his body be-
gan to turn. AS il realizing his danger,
Prof. Odlum brought down his hand
with war-like motion to aid him IN
recovering his balance. The movement
was, however, made too late. His body
had now turned 40 far that it was
Impossible TO change his course. Half
second later there was a mighty
splash, which threw up the water on
every side asif struck with shell, as
the professors body struck
sank out of sight. The tug
hurriedly pushed itself to the place
where the body fell and Capt, Boyn-
ton, aftsr seeing THAT lite preserver
had been thrown out into the WAFER
sprang over the side of the boat and
waited for the body to come to the sur
face. Soon he saw the white face of the
professor rising from the water, and q.
moment later was by his side. Seeing
beneath the body of the insensible
Prof. Blood, mingled with froth come
from the mouth Of the daring man. A
row boat soon came to the
rescue ard Prof. Odlum was taken
from the water. A few moments
later he was transferred to the tug and
restoratives were administered After
considerable rubbing the eyes OF the
professor opened
"What kind of jump did make ?"
he whispered.
| "First- class, my boy" responded
Boynton, "you will be all right In
little while."
But he was insensible again before the
words had hardly left his lips. -,
The tug steamed hastily to retrace its
steps, and just as the pier was reached
OF the professor, and then, after
breathing hearty once or twice his
heart stopped beating and he was pro-
nounced dead. The body was taken
ashore and conveyed to the underta-
kers.
Prof. Robert G. Odlum was formerly
the professor of a swimming bath in
Washington, but latter has been
clerk in Wizards hotel. 1t
has been his ambition to jump
fro ~ the Brooklyn bridge. He made the
attempt once before the bridge was COM
pleted, but was prevented from carry
ing out his scheme. He was 81 seconds
in the air before striking the water. He
was unmarried, 33 years OF age and a
man OF good habits.