The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-08
JUMPING INTO NIAGARA.
Donovan Drops from the Suspension Bridge
Into the River and Escapes with His Life.
Special to the IndianaooIis journal.

Special to the IndanaooIis journal.
BUFFALO, n. Y, Nov. 7.-Lawrenoe NJ. Don
ovan, the New York pressman who acquired no
tor;ety by jumping from Brooklyn bridge some
months, ag& to-day surpassed his former feat by
leaping from the suspension bridge into th Q
Niagara river, distance of 195 feet. After fail
ing to get $500 for making the jump, Donovan
concluded to make the attempt to test his pow
ers OF endurance. He left. with few friends
on the last train to Niagara Falls, last night
ard registered at a hotel as Edwin
Clark Donovan and his party arose
early to-day, and soon made ar
rangements for the leap Shortly before 7
o'clock Donovan left the hotel in cab and drove
toward the bridge About the same time two
men put out from the shore and rowed into the
center of the river. Donovan. Professor Foley
of Buffalo, and two or three others walked to
the center of the bridge Just as Larry stepped
out on the cable. Chief of Police Madigan was
seen at one end of the bridge Donovan re-
marked that he would get down before the
chief did, grasped the cable, and pulled
his muscles together For a moment he
remained rigid. In the twinkling of an
eve he released his hold and his body
darted down to the water as straight as an ar
row and with terrific swiftness. His feet struck
the water sQuarely, but the shock was so great
that his body was thrown slightly out of tho
straight course. His left side struck the water
and he disappeared. He was taken about
fifty feet below the bridge by the current, and
when he rose to the surface swan for the boat,
which he reached He was taken in and in a
few minutes was on shore again. It was found
that he was badly injured, his ribs having suf
fered from the force of the contact with the
water. 1t was half an hour before his wet
clothes could be removed and his in
iuries examined by DR.. Campbell. It
was bitter cold morning, and the water was
not at all comfortable. was its icy tempera
ture an inducement to most men to take bath.
Donovan returned to Buffalo on an early train
and went to bed at the Brosel House. There he
was attended by physicians, who found that one
of his left RIBS was broken, and the third rib dis
located from the costal cartilage Donovan's
arms were chafed, and his feet were sore, but
not badly injured If pneumonia or pleurisy
does not set in, Donovan will probably be able to
leave his room the latter part of this week. In
speaking of the sensation of the jump, Donovan
said he thought he never would get down. The
experience was about the same as at Brooklyn.
only it seemed much longer time. When he
struck the water he shot off sideways. He went
down about twenty five feet He was dazed and
could hardly swim to the surface. When pulled
into the boat he was bleeding at the mouth, but
revived somewhat when he was given some
liquor. He said he is now ready to Jump the
Genesee falls, at Rochester, where Patch lost his
life, and il he entirely RECEIVERS from this shock
will swim the Whirlpool rapids.