The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-07-07
EXTRAoR DlNARY LEAP
Jumping Down q Lofty Canyon on
the Rio Grande.
A Man Who Daslles Over Preci.
Dice 100 Feet High Escapes Un-
hurt.

When the news of Professor Od-
lum's fatal leap from the parspet'of the
Brooklyn bridge reached here, says
letter from San Antonio, Texas, to the
Philadelpbit Times, We we're talking
over the affair in the "Gold Room
Sam Graham, ex-sergeant Of Rspgers,
called attention 20 psfSllel incIdeuf
which attracted great deal Of attention
on the frontier at the time and gave the
name OF "Hsmmond's Leap to lofty
canyon wall on the bank Of The Rio
Grande, about six miles west from where
the alkaline waters OF the Pecos empty
into it. The track OF the Southern Pa.
ci6c Railroad runs close to the river
here, and as you whirl by The trainmen
will point out the spot where Robert
Hammond made sheer leap OF I65 feet
to the muddy water OF the Rio Grsnde
below. This leap was made In the early
summer Of 1882, when the railroad was
in process OF construction.
Hammond worked In the day gang
and the big wall tent be shared with six
or eight others was about three hundred
yards from the edge Of the lofty wall,
against whose base the muddy waters OF
the "great river" dashed and tumbled.-
At this particular point the river is quite
deep. One night the sleeping occupants
OF Harris camp was aroused by series
Of startling yells, which came from
Hammond's tent. Before they could
collect their senses and settle IN their
mind whether or not the camp had been
attacked bv Indians, Hammond dashed
from The tent, and although held by his
companions, finally tore himself away,
and yelling at every jump, made giant
bounds toward the river. The drillers
and blasters in the cut stopped work and
run up on the bank TO see what was the
matter. They saw Hammond as be
dashed toward them and heard bis ago.
nized yells. A cry Of horror burst from
their lips ss the yelling man reached the
brink OF the precipice. and. without =
seconds hesitation, lesped out aud shot
down like plummet to the boiling food i,
155 feet below, They heard the loud
splash made by his body when 1t struck
the water, and then, with bIanched faces
and hushed voices hurried down to the
river level to search for the poor fellows
mangled body. What was their surprise
to meet the supposed dead man alive
and uninjured. He was shiverine with
cold, however, and the muddy water
dripped from his clothing.
Il "What was the matter 2" cried the
group Of searchers in chorus.
|, Zone OF them stinging lixards got IN
my ear and nearly drove me crszv." ans
, wered Hammond, shut he popped oul
when l struck the water. BY the wav
, boys, what do you think OF that jump p
. "It ought to have killed you." said
! one man.
at didn't though" cried Hammond
With laugh. "I'li make II again for
? $40 bill"
9 The next morning Jack Harris bad th,
e distance measured. and the tape line
. held close to the ciif edge, marked l6|
o feet and a few inches when the other en,
I touched the water. Hammond did no
i appear to suffer from his terrible lieh
through the air. He was In bis under
iciothes that night, and bis feet we're pro
ltected only by thin socks. He struc
the water feet first, and described tb
. sensation experienced as similar to tbs
: If the feet had been smartly slapped Wit
! broad strap While in the cir be fol
: no difficulty in breathing, and the 10
= creased velocity as bis body neared th
: water was not physically perceptihle.