The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-07-24
A JUMP FOR LUCK.
Stephen Erodie Leaps From Brook
lyn Bridge Into the Seething
Waters
And is Rescued Apparently uninjured
BY His Fool Hardy Exploit.

NEW YORK, July 23.-Stephen Brodie
jumped from Brooklyn bridge this afternoon
into East River. Shortly after 2 o'clock a
lumber wagon was noticed passing over the
bridge with two men riding, on it. Some
thing in the air of one of the men attracted
the notice of police officer Lally of the
bridge squad, and he watched the wagon as
it went on. When about 100 feet east of
New York tower one of the men stood up
and took his coat off he looked around care
lessly and said to the driver:
well, here goes for luck.'
He stepped from the wagon to the rail and
without hesitating second jumped off.
Less than 20 people were near at the time
the man shot down straight to the water,
120 feet below, striking in a bunch but with
his feet first He sank from sight and re-
appeared moment later with both hands
on his chest as if in pain. A skiff which
was near took the man in and pulled to the
foot of Dover street wharf Three police
officers arrested Brodie and took him to Oak
station. He did not seem to be injured and
walked along without any assistance follow
ed by mob of cheering boys and girls.
Brodie was stripped of his wet clothing
and some dry ones given hinls- He refused
to answer any questions but gave his name.
He began to shiyer and complained of be-
ing cold and asked for liquor which was
given him. After this several sporting men
came in and shook hands with him. To one
of them he Said
Didn't / do it nice though. said lcould
do it and [ did.
"Oh, I'm all right; he said he struck the
water feet first and went down'quite dis
tance. He was a little exhausted at first but
was all right now"
Hewas then taken to the inner room in the
station house. 1t was leared that Brode
was a bootblack in Mills building and for
some years he was. anewsboy. Lately he
said he had been selling fruit 1t is said the
leap was the result of a wager OF 800 with
some prominent sporting men. lie Wagered
that he could do it without injury and they
bet that he would not accomplish it. All
the. morning a party OF sports was
noticed on the pier, seemingly, looking out
for somebody on the river A boat was also
noticed aud one of the men was recognized
by the police as man named Whalen.
Brode is a young man % years old, dark
complexion, and about five feet six inches
in height. He is well known as a successful
competitor in walking matches and bears
the nick name of ''the newsboy pedestrian
He is very much elated over his successful
feat. The time from the moment he jumped
from the rail until he reached the water
was just three seconds. There was not a
bruise ON his body. Brodie was arrested by
the bridge policeman and taken to the Iombs
police court. Tim Brennan, who awaited in
the row boat for Brodie to jump and, after
ward picked the reckless young man from
the water, was also arrested. Brodie was
much intoxicated when taken to the tombs.
Judge Kilbreth decided to wait until tomor
row for examination on account of Brodies
condition. Brodie was locked up and Bren-
nan was released on bail. Bridge Officer
Michael Lally, who made the complaint,
swore that Brodie and Brennan while in
drunken condition did commit acts to en-
danger their lives"
Brodie, as well as he could, described him
self as a bookmaker, % years old, living at
S5 Christie street. He is married and has
three children. Brennan said, after being
bailed out, that Brodie had trained for the
Jump, and was not drunk when he made it.
Brennan added that Brodie had a drink Of
brandy at 10 o'clock in the forenoon but
nothing more until he came out of the water.
II was prepared to go to his rescue, but
that was not necessary. Brodie sank about
eight feet of water, arose in two or three
seconds, shook his head to rid his hair OF
waited, then struck out, shouting, 'how was
that" After giving him drink OF brandy
and rubbing him down with some of the
same liquor, we rowed to the New York
shore. Brodie's only complaint was sore
feeling on his right side which struck the
water obliquely. He was not dazed until he
drank several portions of braudy When he
reached New Pier at Bridge Tower Brodie
dove into the water again and swan to Dover
street pier. Here he was arrested. The
young man was unlucky in his betting, and
his friends say his principal reason for max.
ing the jump to-day was to win bet OF
5000, as he was in desperate need Of money.