New-York tribune., 1886-07-24
FROM THE BRIDGE IN SAFETY.
"STEVE" BRODIE FARES BETTER THAN
POOR ODLIM
DROPPING INTO THE RIVER AT A HEIGHT OF 12O
fEET-ARREsTED AND LOCKED UP
THE ToMBs - THE FOURTH

ihI IoMBS - THE FOURTH
WARD IN RAPTUREs.
In the aristocracy of the Fourth Ward no
name ranks higher than that Brodie Three brothers
the present representatives Of this noble family
They are OF Irish descent and rejoice in the OF
"Iom, steve" and Dan" Another brother,
hunchoacK, who formerly kept restaurant IN Nassau
st.. much fequented by the compostors OF the great
newspapers whose Offices line Park Row. died lttle
over year ago. "steve" has always been
the flower OF the family As in coun-
tries where aristocratic traditions arc strong
the only careers open to tho scions OF noble families are
diplomacy and the army, so in the Fourth Ward the
boot-backing and newselng professions the only
ones to which the son OF prominent citizen devote
himself without loss Of caste. "steve" Brode's family
boosted OF such extremely blue blood that he felt him
self called upon to honor each OF these arsocratc call.
ings by his patronage. "stevo" was we'll known as
bootback and as newsboy in the neehborhood OF Park
Row ana frankfots II ia SAID that at time he even
stood upon that high pinnacle OF amcthe leadership OF
Fourth Ward gang. known as the Brodie Gang. His
position OF influence. however, "Stove" afterward
surrendered and was succeeded by his brother "Tom
some seven or eight years ago steve" became famous
as pedestrian. In a great match at the Newsboys'
Lodging House he accomplished the feat OF walking
ninety miles In twenty four hours Afterward he went
on starring trip as the newsboy pedestrian, and his
travels extended as far the Pacific coast where 1t is
said, he further distinguished himself by jumping off
nBn oiiuSc-tuo ocglnnlng OF jumping career Wlch
eliminated for the present at least by his remarkable
performance yesterday afternoon When ilibustcr
ing expedition against Honduras being quietly re-
cruited among the Fourth Warders Steve Brode be-
Dg man or great influence IN the Ward chosen as
cruiting agent and 1t through his efforts that the
gallant hlibusers engaged WHO shortly afterwari
returned without the laurcls of victory. For some time
"steve" carried profitable business as boss boot
black newsdeaer and veDder OF fiction the main court
OF the Mills building but about SIX months he left
his stand to try HE fortune the Brighton Beach
track As TO his in this paradise OF broken
down hacks and smalfry gamblers. differs but
that fame is his. "steve" will little reck fortune
made at Brighton. Tho Fourth Ward hero is small
of stature AMI has face typical of his district de-
void OF shrewdness bu; with lines prematurey hardened
by contact with vice. Although only twcnty-three
years DID, has been married for years and has five
children.
"steve" Broiie and friend named Waterman
stauding at the entrance to the carrlage-way OF
the Brooklyn Bridge at a quarter before
yesterday afternoon. Carriages and wagons passed
upon their way to Brooklyn, and at last Brodie and
Waterman hailed the driver OF one horse truck ana
asked MIN to give them lift tho Bridge The
driver proved accommodating and consented 10 let tho
Fourth Warders board his vehicle. They paid a cent
eacn, the toll demanded for passage the Bridge.
and then the started merry up the gentle incline
that leads to the great stono tower When the tower
nearly reached, Brode, who was standing near the
Of the truck, steadylng himself with hand
upon of the upright bars. took of his Derby
hat aud waved 1t in the air. Tho signal
was seen by small group of men who were
gathered upon of the piers below, and from that
timc the progress OF the truck watched with the
keenest interest Brodie began to act In manner
which, had there been spectators would have con
ynced them that ho was tit only for unatic asylum.
sl holding the upright bar as support he began to
dance a clog dance marking time with his unoceuped
A avlx -ftlpn 4ttpt
choice Fourth Ward melody. This lit OF temporary
alteration however did last long Brode soon
again. aud ~nen the tower had been passed aud
interviewed between the Bridge and the river far
below ready for the perlous feat which he had
planned TO perform
point where the Bridge fully 20 feet above the water
when Brodie jumped 10 the roadway aud ran toward
the side OF the Bridge. Only an insaLt did ne stop 10
throw off his coat and then clai in red anne shrt
boots hat and trousers he cmed over the low
iron lattice work which to protect the roadway
from the dizzy depth below, and with the agility OF
cat clanbered down aud hung by his arms from one OF
the iron girders which run along below the
Bridge. Tue driver OF the truck and policeman
rushed TO the spot They were too late 10 accophsn
an ything. Tho policeman wildly collared Waterman
who had accompanied Brodie in the truck. u.-.
:" What you grabbing mo for g. cried Waterman;
" There's the man who's trying to jump, and lie pontca
TO Brodle who by this time was eimong "oWu oHs ich
Broce would have been necessary TO follow hln auu
for this the officer had no stomach. A
My God. he's going to drop!" he exclaimed as ne
leaned over the railug, wildly brandshg MS arms w.
waId ,he man who hung below him. Nothing could
have been nearer trutn Brodie hung for secohu
from the girder until he was sure Oh ms
then his body shot downward and whether iof iio o
few Of Blodie's friends the secret Of his in
tended leap Three Of them. Paul Butler Jerry
ane and . Tim " brennan. were III rowDoat Deiow
the bridge. waiting TO haul him out About thirty otner
persons stood one OF the piers They nad been w"o
lag for Brodes appearance, aud when at last they saw
him suspended In the air far above ther neaas ,pe5
held their breath and waited Until ne was Wi'n t
hny feet OF the water, the fooIhardy man ae,.
his head. Then as /. BY great effort Ike man "no
raising himself upon horizontal BAR no dre" ~ %
downward until his cienehed Ists were Oh erei
his breast His egs. which had until now remn una sa
straight and stn parted and bent at the knees Ant no
ing MS forces to start III race II seemed ,o
that III this position he could suceesSluly %
was under seemed to the waiting crowd an eter
nifty. Yet he to tho surface IN safety Win an
ana blowing tho water from his mouth with long
breath, he struck out to sw Oh his back as
edly he had only dyed from one or the piers is
frends in the boat Immediately pulled towara hi .n
II. caught sight OF tnem ana greeted them WIN u.
T, be LOOKED al mau.sS
jumped overheard and swan toward tho hero.
not n9.'' needed % and Brodie and Kane clsmbered
into the boat and pulled away Tor the hriuge pier o"
once In the boat anu in safety Brode rather went to
pieces" His frieuds however. had bottle OF er"puy
and they made liberal applications OF the liquid JUN
Internally and externally Under these reyiyins in-
duences Brodie came around, and when the pier
As reached he climbed OF the boat ana WsiAcu
about as If Jumping I2O feet had killed any one
before policeman, whose attention had been eaeu
to the jump. had rushed mady through the oromc
the Dover-st pier and gesticusting IKE msdnsn
Brode. The little Fourth Warder, realIhg ma
escape impossible. jumped again into tue "a.ei
while friends rowed back to rescue tho neseo'@o 90
Butler. swimming across the slip. gave ulsei w
gracefully to tho oticer. He Al once hurried on "
the oak street station ana Or. Mhto was suinnoueu
from the Chambers street Hospital by THIS time brotio
was beginning to show unmlstaksDo signs ol inooi
ton. He perfectly sober AT tho time NO JunPe,
since he had nauled into the boat lor
amoups Of sunuiants had been poured lhto
MIN, aud the excited condition In whicn ne
was probably rendered the effect OF sne ,.s Aro"o
more sudle and more striking tnln would otherwise
have been As the doctor was EXAMINING hlln' bou'o
wrlhed ,nd shouted II In great agony Dut tue pH5
elan nnaliy pronounced him uniujured. for lew
bruises on the chest probably made whme no
" clambering Into the boat. In the meantime in
Breuna an arrived at the station dry clothes Tor
IIrodie, and promptly arrested as au