The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-29
ANOTHER HIGH JUMPER.
While the Bridge Police Are Watching Bishop.
Lawrence Donavin Makes the Big Jump.

Lawrence U0naVln makes the big Jump.
New YORK, Aug. 28.-The Brooklyn ridge po-
lice have been on the outlook the past week for
Charles E. Bishop, the man who announced that
he would Jump from balloon over the bridge.
He did not appear, however, and the last ac-
Lowell, Mass, owing three-days' board bill.
The police on duty on the bridge this morning
read of Bishops jump, and were congratulating
themselves upon the fact that they would prob
ably not be troubled with him for time at
least.
While they were talking about Bishop and his
''jump," young man, oil prepared for the occa-
sion, eluded their vigilance and jumped
from the center span, at the south roadway of
the bridge. He was picked up by friends in
a boat who were waiting for him, rowed ashore
and arrested. Lawrence Donavn, the hero of this
latest jump, is pressman. VIM Reid, the fore
man of the press room, says that Donavin's plan
to jump from the bridge was definitely formed
about two weeks ago, during dispute in the Office
one night about the chances of escaping from it
alive. Donayin finally said he was not afraid to
try the Jump that killed Odlum, so a bet of $500
was arranged with foreman Reid. Preparations
were made at once. and last night all was ready.
Everybody in the Police Gazette building knew
about it, and was anxious to witness the Jump.
Donavin did not work last night He slept in
the building. however, and was aroused at 4:30,
as the might shift went off He was iinmedi-
ateiy dressed for the jump. pair of heavily
padded drawers were put on, and the shoes were
blue canvas, the soles OF which were weighted
with two pounds of lead. Thus attired, light
breakfast was partaken of. and Donavin and
friend proceeded to the bridge entrance, near
which a wagon was in waiting They
jumped on board and were driven to the
center of the bridge, where the distance to the
water is about twenty eight feet more than from
the point where Brodie dropped into the East
river. Printers and pressmep, employed
morning newspapers were in force at the Dover
street dock to see the daring act, and a boat was
rowed out into mid stream to pick Donavin up.
AS soon as the wagon was halted Donavin
alighted, leaped quickly over the rail, and let
himself down to the heavy cable which supports
the bridge Donavin now looked upward again,
held his head straight and his feet together, and
let 60.
Soon after being picked up. he said: IT went
straight down. straight as plumbine, and did
not lose my senses at all. 1t seemed long time
going down-as many minutes as it probably
was seconds-but / didn't turn nor swerve from
the straight line. l struck the water with big
splash and went through. / was we'll protected
with padding, so that no harm could come to me.
haustei than that was able to swim hundred
yards or so to the boat / was arrested at the
pier"
Donavin was arraigned at the bar of the
Tombs Police Court this afternoon. The court
room was filled with the friends of the jumper
Judge Duffy said 'This fellow wanted to excel
Brodie, and thinks he's going to be great hero.
He is going to pose in some dime museums or
side-show as a hero" He then questioned
bridge policeman Fitzgibbons who could not
hat wiz ho6 ho hri6
His attention was attracted by number of We
hicles stopping their way over the bridge and
their drivers looking down into the water.
Train Conductor Michael Gilroy, said that he
saw two pairs of legs betweeen the tires of an
Adams Express wagon, and that one of the pairs
disappeared from view over the side of the
bridge He saw no person jump and saw no
face, consequently he could not recognize the
prisoner.
ibid you see him hang by his hands and let
himself drop" asked Justice Duffy of the po-
liceman.
''No"
did any one see him jumpl"
No." replied both tho officers and the con-
ductor.
''Then what is there" said Justice Duffy, ''to
show that this man Donavin is not a fraud9 He
may have got few men to get in boat and
row out under the bridge. and had his friends
make great ado and say that man had
jumped from the bridge. and they had come to
his rescue. My opinion is that he never jumped
from the bridge. l think it is a ruse subter-
fuge and fraud" Donavin then said that he
did make the jump, and the Justice promptly
ordered the policeman to make q. charge
against the prisoner Of impeding the
traffic on the bridge. An affidavit
was made out accordingly, based on
Donavin's admission that he Jumped from the
bridge into East river, and thereby caused an
obstruction to vehicles on the bridge" Then the
case was again brought up, and Justice Duffyre-
iterated the opinion that the man was a fraud,
"but," said he, this thing of jumping off high
places, going over cataracts at Niagara, ETC., by
looms must be stopped. We read of them doing
these things in tights in barrels, and wanting to
drop from balloons. There is no heroism in this
jumping. These men pander to the morbid
taste now prevalent, and go around and live in
idleness. Look at these big loafers," he added,
fsthat ought to be breaking stones or saving
wood. This thing is craze. A brave nah
wouldn't do it. 1t is simply brute courage that
prompts it, and no one but an Anticipated loon
without an ounce of brains in his head would
undertake it. If / were to let this man
go, seven or eight other looms would try to do
better than he is said to have done. Some other
fellow would dive off, and another fellow would
put himself in an India rubber bag and be
thrown off. I've notion" said the Justice, Sc
verely, ito send you to the island for six months
as a vagrant, so that you would be where you
could not harm yourself. or anybody else. AS it
is, I'll fine you 500 for having Interrupted the
travel on the bridge"
''Thank you," said Donavin, extending his
hand toward the justice.
II don't want to shake hands with you" re-
piled Judge Duffy; II don't think you're hero,
even If you did jump, as yeu Pretend
The fine was paid, and Donavin walked out of
court considerably crestfalen.
Coiored Girl Charged with Wholesale Poi
sOning.
MAIDEN, Mass, Aug. 28-Another case of
wholesale poisoning has just come to light. Mrs.
1i1a hath how