The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-11-24
4 DARING JUMP.
A Han Leaps From tho Suspcn-
sion Bridge at Niagara Falls.
Plunging Downward Through 200
Feet Into the Water.

Lawrence NJ Donovan. the daring jumper,
who successfully leaped from the Brooklyn
Bridge and was only prevented by police in.
terfcrence from repeating his performance
at The Genesee Fails in Rochester the other
day, jumped from the New Suspension
Bridge at Niagara Falls to the water below,
distance of over 200 feet. The leap was made
at 6:57 A. n. from point just past the centre
of the bridge and on the Canadian portion,
and was witnessed.by about dozen persona
1t is understood that purse of $500 was the
inducement for the daring act, but this Dom
ovan Denies and says that his reputation
only and not his pocket is to be the gamer.
1t had been known at Buffalo for some days
past that Donovan contemplated the jump,
but the time was not set until late in the
evening, previous to the performance of the
feat, and only FIVE persons comprised the
party that lott the city on the Michigan
Central train at midnight. These were
Donovan, Prof. Haley, his trainer, and two
World correspondent. Donovan and Pro-
fessor Haley visited the falls the pre-
vious Sunday, and the former carefully
inspected, note only the foot bridge, which
is the nearest to the cataract, but also
the river from a point at the waters
edge where tue current could be best
observed. He expressed himself satisfied
with the place as scene for his future oper-
ations, and announced decidedly that he
would not return to New York City until be
had made the attempt which no man ever
dared before
The morning was q beautiful one, crisp,
clear and frosty, and the sun was just ap-
pearing in the cast when the buggy drove on
the bri ige. At the same time rowboat, i'll
s,I, tai hon froon M
the correspondent and another man, rowed
out into the river. At precisely G:57, the
boat being directly underneath the bridge
and hugging the Canadian shore, pistol shot
was heard, a dark form shot off from the
bridge and q sec, nd shot followed. BY
stop watch just four seconds elapsed from
the time the shot was heard until Donovan
struck the water, feet first with loud splash.
He was not fifty yards away from the boat
centre of the river. Seconds seemed
like hours as the water was
scanned for the appearance of the diver, and
it seemed as though he had sunk never to
rise again. A shout from the boatman sig
nalized the appearance Of Donovans head
some distance down the stream, and thoss in
the boat saw with delight that he was swim.
ming. He appeared dazed, and could
not have kept up long. but the boat soon
eager hands One of the party narrowly es-
capped being pulled overheard while aiding
the swimmer. from whose mouth Spurted
teacupful of blood as he fell into the bottom
of the boat in dead faint.
The Maid of the Mist landing was soon
reached, and here restoratives somewhat re-
vived the hero of the hour. Professor Haley
saw Donovan in the boat, and reached the
foot of the road which runs down the bank
opposite the Clifton House. In q few moments
Donovan was assisted into the buggy,
and the rarty crossed the bridge to the
American side and repaired to the Pacific
Hotel, where the daring leaper was put to bed
at cnce and DR.. Campbell summoned.
Among the crowd that witnessed the leap
from the American side was Chief of Police
Madigan, of Suspen ion Bride, who had got
wind Of the affair, and arrived just too late
to interfere. He was one of the first to grasp
Donovau's limp hand, and assured him that
though it would have been his duty to prevent
what looked like deliberate suicide, now that
it was over he was glad to congratulate him
on his plucky and successful feat. A hurried
breakfast was taken at the hotel, where the
Jumper was stripped and rubbed until his
skin fairly glowed. The physician found no
serious injuries beyond several bruises and a
confusion on each elbow. The doctor also
thought that one of the lads ribs was broken,
but advised that hc be taken home at once,
where a thorough medical examination
could be made. Carriages were or
dered and The party drove to the
Central Depot and took the A. Ii. West
Shore train to Buffalo Conductor Drake
and Mr.. Albert Simpson, of the general pas
senger department Of the New York Central,
were assiduous in their attentions to the
bridge hero, who frightened up considerably
and was not at all fatgued by the journey.
Arrived in Buffalo the party drove to the
Broezel House, where Donovan was at once
taken to room forty-seven, on the rarlor
floor, and examined by DR.. Edward N.
Clark.
Drs. Clark and Geo. s. Palmer found that
the fourth rib on the left side was detached
from the breast bone and it was at once
bandagel up. Asked how he felt now that
the whole thing was over. the plucky jumper
replied First rate, if it wasn't for my
broken rib That's pretty sore and I'm oil
bandaged up, but outside of that don't feel
any worse than after the other jump, and
DR.. Clark says I'll be able to get up and
around all right by Tuesday or Wednesday."
Donovan is New York pressman, aged
twenty-four years He is five feet eight
inches in height aod weighs ISL pounds.