Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-07-29
JUMPS raom TEE BRrDaE.
stephen Bredie Leaps From the
Rr0ohlVm Rrfdae and kncaDea.


NEW YORK, July 28.--The sensation OF the |
day was the foolhardy exploit OF a young
man named Stephen Brodie, who Jumped
from the great Brooklyn bridge Into the
East river. He WAS struggled TO the middle
of the bridge by a truckman, and there he
threw of his coat and went over the railing
before the policemen could get TO him. He
was picked up out OF the river by some
friends In small boat, and as he appeared
to DO uniniured he was arrested and taken
to the OAK street station house. Brodie's
ayowed motives in making the leap were a
wager Of 800 and a desire fornotoriety. He
is about rs years OF age. and within tho last
three years he has gained some notoriety rs
pedestrian. He is the tenth person that
has made an effort 10 Jump from the bridge,
and Is the second person that has made the
leap, but the first TO come out Of the water
apparently unframed. His success will
probably have the unfortunate effect OF In
ducing many others to attempt the feat.
Brodie jumped from point about 100
feet east OF the New York tower. He took
his coat on, looked around carefully, and
| said 10 the driver OF the wagon on which he
had come: well here goes for luck" Then
| stepping from the wagon TO the rail, and
| without heeitating second, he jumped on.
Less than 20 people were near ut the time.
Brodie fell down straight to the water, 100
feet, striking In bunch, with his feet FIRST
He sank from sight and reappeared n
moment later with both hands at his chest,
as II In pain. His friends In the skin rapidly
came up and took him In. The boat was
pulled TO the foot OF Dover street. and
Brodie was arrested as he landed.
He did not seem to be much
injured by his terrible fall, and
walked TO the station without any assist
ance, followed by mob OF cheering boys
and men. On being asked his residence, he
began: "Sb, and stopped then said 81
refuse to give my address," As soon as
possible he was stripped OF his wet clothes
sporting men came In and shook hands
with him. To one Of them he said: "Didnt
do 1t nice, though. l said could do 1t
and did" To question as to how he
felt, he said: "Oh, Pm all right" He said
he struck the water feet first, and went
down quite distance. He was "a little
3 exhausted at first, but was all right now.
It Is learned that Brodle was bootblaeh
In the Mills Building, and for some year
was newsboy. Lately he had been selling
fruit. One OF the men In the boat wa,
, recognized by the police as man nance
| whalen. Tho time from the moment Brodi'
D jumped from the rail until he reached thu
water was lust three seconds. There wa
, | not bruise on bis body. When asked |
/ he would prefer TO go to the hospital, h
' said; mo, take mo to the Tombs."
Brodie was taken to the Tombs pole,
: court. Tho route that the officers took I,
the court was thronged with excited indl
:: vlduals, who frequently shouted, "Hurral
d for Steve" Brodie was very drunk, AM
!, staggered considerably. He declared man.
s times that he could jump of any -
q bridge they build" In the court roor
Brodle was hardly able to stand, and Judg
!, Kllbroth decided TO await until to-morro,
for an examination on account OF BrOdie
" condition. Brodie was then locked up.
= Brodies only complaint Is a sore ieelin
Is on his right side, which struck the waite
v obliquely. When he reached the now pie
Il at the bridge tower Brodie dove into tn
u water again and swan to the Dover stree
" pier. Here he was arrested. Brodle is sal
!, to have twice jumped from high bridges. II
has also entered In several go-as- you-pleas
IL pedestrian contests. The last one of thes
was In Baltimore, when he retired on III
II fourth day.