Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-10-21
TO FOLLOW SAM PATCH.
Donovan to Jump at the Genesee
Falls,
From the Neao York Times.

from BAS NetD IOT6 I11fe6S.
ROCHESTER,, NY, Oct. IL Lawrence
Nj. Donovan, the New York bridge
Jumper, arrived in this city yesterday
afternoon with the intention of jumping
over the Upper Falls. He proceeded to the
Globe Hotel, on Front street. The pro-
prietOr, Prof. John LabOsslere, the well
known sporting man, and Donovan met
each other in New York some time ago.
When Donovan arrived he had no idea of
the situation. LabOsSiere explained that
here there is no bridge from which he can
Pump, and the best plan is 10 build plat
form at the ledge Of bne falls, the leap to
take place from the platform. Donovan
was also informed that but little IS known
in regard to the bed of the river, the depth
of water, the situation OF rocks, currents,
etc. Accordingly THIS morning Donovan
and Labossiere went to the falls on tour
OF inspection. In the rear Of the Genesee
Falls Park Donovan secured an excellent
view, and with a smile remarked to the
reporter: ''fhis is not hall as high as the
Brooklyn Bridge. You may announce
positively that will jump"
LabOsslere's plan was TO have the plat
form built on the eastern portion OF the
ledge and extending out about 10 feet, so
as to clear the rocks. Donovan was i'm
pressed, however, by the desirability Of
jumping from the centre OF the ledge,
winch is the highest point, ana 1T Is prob
able that the platform will be built there.
The next thing to do was to sound the
river and ascertain where it was deepest
for the jump and free from rocks. No
boat was found between the falls and
Vincent street bridge, and it was decided
to secure a boat further down and have it
carried UP the river. The work of eXamin-
ing the river bed with sounding line
will take up some time.
80 \ at ..trA
money by urjumpp asked a reporter
of Donovan.
"Mr, Labossere thinks that a purse of
$500 VIII be raised without difficulty"
was the reply. The exhibition will, /
expect, bring large crowds to the city.
and merchants, motel men, and railroads
will be benefited. If the BUSINESS men do
not contribute literally, still gely on the
sporting men. This IS one OF the best
cities OF its size in the State for sport, and
sporting men alone will, l think, raise
5000. Mr.. Labossiere will see about rails
ing the purse, and in order that there may
be 10 difficulty about IL l will have the
money given in cnarge of some responsible
Citizen until after jump" Continuing
he said: 81 would not jump If i thought
| would not come out alive. l love lie as
well as any one, but am confident OF my
ability TO successfully perform the feat.
Bridge jumped several times from the
High Bridge, in New york. / have been
used to the water since bOyhoOd, and
have always been good swimmer and
diver"
Donovan said that the point bad been
raised that possibly the police may inter-
fere TO prevent the leap. II do not think
they have any right TO do so," he
said. "and | think they will not
when | explain that ] am an eX.
pert jumper. l have been successful
10 greater jumps than the one l now pro-
pose. and Will assure the officers that /
expect TO be equally successful In this
one" In regard 10 the date Tor making
the jump Donovan is particular TO jump
on a SATURDAY, the day on which he made
all his great jumps. As there Will not DO
time to make the preliminary arrange
ments Tor next Saturday, he VIII jump on
saturday OF next week.