Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-07-26
SAM PATCH OUTDONE.
The "Newsboyp' Leaps from the
Bridge into Fame and Fortune.


Bridge into Fame and Fortune.
In our dispatches yesterday was short
account of the jump of Stephen Brodle
from the Bro 1klyn bridge and his suose-
quent arrest on the charge Of attempting
to commit suicide, and OF his subsequent
release on bail. The following is fuller
account:
Stephen BrOdie jumped from the Brook
lyn bridge Friday afternoon into the East
river. Shortly alter O'Clock lumber Wag-
on was noticed passing over the bridge
with twOmen riding on 1t. something Ia
the air OF one of the men attracted the no.
tice OF Police Oitcer Lally, OF the bridge
squad, and be watched the wagon as 1t
went on. When about 100 feet east OF the
New I Ork tower and near the third lamp
post one of the men stood up and took his
coar off. He looked around carelessly
and said to the driver: "Well, here goes
for luck" He stepped from the
wagon to the rail, and with
out hesitating a second he jumped
of. Less than twenty people were Lear
at the time. The man fell down straight
to the water sheer 120 feet, striking in
bunch, but with his feet first. He sank
from sight, and reappeared moment later
with both hands at his chest as ii IN pain.
a sKif which was lowering near win
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 aud down
to the pier. They arrested the man and
took him to the Oak street station. He
did not seem to be much injured by his
terrible tail, and walked along without
any assistance, followed by a mob Of
cheering boys aud men. At the station he |
was asked his name, and said 1t was |
stephen BrOdie. On being asked his |
residence he began: So" and stopped. |
He then said: Il refuse to give my ad- |
Dress"
AS soon as possible BrOdie was stripped !
of his wet clothes and some dry ones were |
given him. He refused TO answer any |
questions. He began to shiver and COM
planned of being cold. He asked for Ii
quOr, which was given him, and 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 ]
could do 1t, and l did" To a question as
to how he felt he SAID: ION, Pm all right"
He said that after he struck the water he
went down quite distance. He was ga
little exhausted at first" but was call
right now"
1t was learned that Brodle was a boot
black in the Mills building, and for some
years he was a newsbOy. Lately he has
been selling fruit. 1t is said that the leap
was the result OF a wager of 800 with
some prominent sports. He wagered
that he could do it without injury, and
they bet that he would not accomplish it.
All the morning party of sports were
noticed on the pier, seemingly looking out
for somebody in the river. The boat was
also noticed, and one of the men was re-
cOgnized by the police as a man named
Whalen. BrOdie is % years old, dark
compleXiOned, and about feet 6 inches
in height. lie is known as a successful
competitor in walking matches, and
bears the nickname of the "Newsboy" Pc
destrian. He is very much elated over
his successful feat.
The time from the moment BrOdie
jumped from the rail until he reached
the water was just three seconds. There
was not bruise on his body. When
asked if he would prefer to go to the hos
pital he said: mo; take me to the
lombs." This is the first time that any
one has made the jump successfully.
BrOde, when he jumped, had on a gauze
undershlrt, pair of dark striped pants
and vest and drawers. Over the draw
ers he had pair OF red swimming tights.
BrOdie was subsequently taken to the
Tombs police court. The news OF mis- feat
had spread rapidly through the Fourth
ward, and the route that the officers took
to the court was thronged with excited
individuals who frequently shouted
"Hurrah for Steve!' Brodie responded
by waving his hat. He was very drunk,
and staggered considerably. He declared
many times that ne could lump off any
id bridge they build" In the court
room BrOdle was hardly able to stand.
Frank Oliver, who has often appeared for
Brodie when charged with intOxIcatlon,
and lately when BrOdIe was accused of
abandoning his wife, looked after the in
terests of the prisoner. Judge Kilbreth
decided to wait until tomorrow for an eX-
animation, on account of the condition of
Brodle. He was lOckedup.
Officer Tally, who made the complaint,
swore that "BrOdie, while in drunken
condition, did commit acts to endauEer
his life" BrOdie's only complaint is
sore feeling on his right side, which
struck the water obliquely. He was not
much dazed until he drank several Do
tons of brandy. When he reached the
new pier at the bridge tower Brodie dived
into the water again and swan to the
Dover street pier. Here he was arrested.
BrOdie is said to have twice jumped from
High hridUa