Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-05-30
LeapinS into the Niagara.
AN INCIDENT RECALLED BY oDLUMS Fatal
EXPLOIT.

From the New York Times.
LoCKPoRT, May 24.-The fatal leap of Robert
E. Odlum from the East river bridge, recalls q
similar foolhardy exhibition which, however,
did not terminate fatally. It occurred about
35 years ago, but had been nearly forgotten in
the lapse of time. In 1S5O-51 there was con-
| structed across the Niagara river, just above
Lewiston, where the river issues from the deep
Falls, a suspension bridge for vehicles and
pedestrians. The roadway was destroyed by
the force Of the blast sweeping down this
gorge in February, 1864, and nothing remains
of it but shattered fragments hanging to
the wire cables; This bridge was $40 feet long,
with floor 20 feet wide, and 60 feet above
tue water. In the summer of 1851, soon
after the completion of the bridge, a poor
Swede, with an unpronounceabie name. who
answered to the name "Dave,' was lOafing
about the village doing odd jobs. He stated
one day in the presence of several persons that
greater Jumps than the distance from this
bridge to the water, and that he would not be
afraid to try it. Upon being offered $40 to
make the attempt, he Immediately accepted
the offer. The following Sunday, at p. m,
was appointed for the trial. The distance to be
jumped was the least factor of danger in this
proposed attempt Not only did the wind from
the gorge make it probable that the jumper
could not maintain a perpendicular position,
but the river beneath the bridge a furious,
sw1rling flood, i'll which few swimmers would
care to venture. These obstacles were pointed
out to the Swede, and efforts were made to dis
suade him from the foolhardy attempt. Bnt as
many persons had expressed doubts as to his
courage he declared he WOulu Jump, re-
gardless of the consequences. News of the pro-
posed undertaking had circulated about town,
and at the appointed tme-a fine July after
noon-a large crowd assembled on the
bridge and upon both banks, and many car
riaSeS from Niagara Falls were there.
The Swede was promptly on hand. He went
to the middle of the bridge, ciambered over the
railing to one of the striugers, and after waving
his arm up and down, and shouting in broken
English to the crowd TO look at him, he sprang
OFF. For about 25 feet his body kept Il vertical
position, then the wind struck him, and whiried
him about SO that he struck the water on his
back ana shoulders, with q splash that was
plainly heard on the banks. He disappeared
beneath the surface, coming up again far below,
and ieebly padded with one hand rs he was
whirled and tossed about by the impetuous cur
rent. A boat had put out from the shore, and
to everybody'S surprise he succeeded in keeping
aIOat until it reached him many rods below
the bridge. The most remarkable part of the
whole affair was that the fellow entirely recov-
cred from the effects of his crazy leap. Although
he was bruised from head to heels by the con-
cussion and confined to his bed for some days
no Internal organs were injured, and he was
soon about again Dragging OF the 1eats he would
undertake in jumping. But he was wise enough
never to repeat this one. Dave was Il familiar
Inquire in that vicinity many years ago but as
teegraphs and daily papers We're in their lead
ing strings in those days it Is likely that his
nOwn is now first published, 81 years after
the fact, whenOdlums fatal leap naturally re-
calls