The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-07-28
The "Newsboy" Leaps From
Brooklyn Bridge.

NEW YORK. July 2l-siephen Brpiie
jumped foom the Brooklyn Bridge this after
neon into the East River. shortly after ?
o'clock = lumber wagon was noticed passing
over the bridge with two men riding ON it.
Something in the air of one of the men al
tracted the notice Of Police Officer ially. OF
the bridge squad, and he watched the wagon
as il went on. When about 100 feet east of
the New York tower and near the third
lamp posi- one of the men stood up and took
his coat on. He looked around carefully and
said Ia the driver: Well, here goes for
luck. He stepped from the wagon to the
rail, and without hesitating a second he
jumped off. Less than twenty people were
near Al the time. The man fell down straight
10 the water sheer 10 feet, striking in a
bunch. bui with his feet first. He Sank
from sight, and rcapleared a moment later
with both hands at his chest AZ If in pain.
A skitf which was towering near with some
men in it rapidly came up and took the man
in. The boat was pulled to the foot Of Dover
street and landed. In the meantime three
police officers of the bridge squad had run
around and DOWN 10 the pier. They arrest
ei the man and took him to the Oak street
station. He did not seem 10 be- much injured
by his terrible fall, and walked along with
GA amy assistance, followed by a mob of
cheering boys and men. At the station he
was asked his name, and said il was stephen
Brodie. On being asked his residence he
began 80 and stopped He then said
Il refuse to give my address.
A. soon as possible Brodie wa> stripped of
his wet clothing and some dry ones were
given him. He refused 10 answer any qHes-
tions. He began To shiver and complained
of being cold. He asked for liquor, which
WAS given him, aud after this several sport
ing mcn came IN and shook hands with him.
To one of them he said; Didn't | do it nice.
though? said could do it, and ! did
To a question a. 10 bow he felt he said
"oh. I'm all right He said thai after he
struck the water he went down quite a dis
lance. He was IA little exhausted At first,
was all right now.
1t was learned that Brodie was "A bootblack
III tAst -Hlfi~ FutitililEs anu - SUM- years tt
was a newsboy. Lately he has been selling
fruit. 1t i said that the leap was the result
of a wager of Sl0s with some prominent
sports. He wagered that lac could do it
without injury. and they bet that he would
accomplish it. All the morning a party
of sports were noticed ON the pier, seemingly /
out for somebody in the river. The
boat was also noticed and one of the men
recognized by the police as a man nam
ed Whalen. Brodie Is % years old, dark
romplcxioned, and about ) feet inches in
height. He Is known a. a successful com-
petitor IN walking matches. and bears the
nickname of the " Ncwsboy pedestrian.
He is very much elated over his successful
feat.
The time from the moment Brodie jump
"a from the rail until lac reached the water
just thirty seconds. There was not a
ON his body. When asked If he
would prefer 10 go TO the hospital he said
No: take me to the Tomhs.' This i the
time that any one has made the jump
successfully. Brodie, when he jumped, had
ln a cause mdershiri, a pa~irofdark stripped
pants and a vest and drawers. Over the
lrawers he had a pair of red swimming
sgbr.