Evening journal., 1891-11-23
DOWN TOSUDDEN DEATH
McCarey Leaps to His Doom
from Brooklyn Bridge.
he WANTED TO BEAT STEVE BRoDIB

New YORK, Nov. % Francis McCarey,
foolhardy fellow who had been boasting
about this city and Brooklyn for several
days that be would soon let all the people
know he was a man OF nerve, plunged of
the East river bridge at $50 yesterday
afternoon and was drowned He was half
drunk when he made the leap. McCarey,
who had been an iron molder in the Lewis
q Fowler car shops on Walworth street,
Williamsburg. but who was discharged
five weeks ago for inehrity, read that
Steve" Brodie had bet g., 500 on the re-
suit OF the election, and was informed
that Brodie got his start by jumping of
the bridge. That set Mccarey thinking.
He Would Jump. Too.
II will jump OF the bridge myself" he
said to Brodie, "and show the world that
am the jumper of America
Brodie chaffed him aud he went away.
On Saturday he again called on Brodie
and talked boastfully Of his nerve. lie
said he would jump on Sunday Among
the sporting notes in The News on Friday
was this.
Francis McCarey whose headquarters are at
Pete kely's, - Walworth street. Brooklyn,
writes TO The Daily News that he will jump
from the Brooklyn bridge on Sunday. Ia the
forenoon. MeCarey challenged Brodie, who
calls him a crank, and he is going to jump the
bridge, 20 he writes just to show that Brodie
did not accomplish anything wonderful.
On the Bridge at Last.
McCarey drank great deal Of whisky
Saturday night and Sunday morning. His
fAr nf
O'Clock. He stood at the New York en-
trance TO the south roadway until wagon
turned in from the street. He climbed on
the back and the driver ordered him OF.
He walked back mnttering
McCarey next tried the Brooklyn end OF
the bridge, and asked James Ross, a young
peddler who lives on York street. Brook
lyn, for a ride across the great aerial high
way. McCarey got in and stood up.
The old gray horse pulled the load slow
ly up the incline toward the pier Sudden
starts made it difficult for McCarey TO
keep his balance. In the shadow Of the
arch he sat down and pulled his trousers
down over his shoe tops He took pieces
Of twine from his pocket and tied his
trousers tightly around his ankles
When the wagon was approaching the
| center Of the span McCarey said something
in an undertone.
What are you going to dot" said Ross
turning in his seat
Going to Beat BrodIe.
Il am going TO beat that fellow Steve
Brodie, " returned the man as he stood up
and gave his head boastful toss. 'pm
going to jump of the bridgen
Ross is used to meeting boastfu men
about the navy yard. He thought the
man was bluffing
III you jump" said Ross, "I'll jump
after you.n His companions laughed.
McCarey didn't reply. He slipped out
Of his coat and vest in jiffy, threw his
old cap off and slid over the end OF the
wagon.
The old gray was reined up and Ross
and the others shouted to the police and
waved their arms The guard on the front
platform Of a four car train blew half a
dozen sharp blasts on his whistle TO alarm
the police Officer James Dooley, who was
on the promenade, heard the conductors
whistle and ran along the6plank from the
promenade to the roadway and jumped
down. McCarey was climbing over the
railing Dooley ran as fast as he could He
had about GOO feet 20 go. McCarey slipped
down on the outer side Of the railing and
stood on the big cable, which at that point
Is just little lower than the roadway
One hand grasped the small guard rail
that runs along the cable Perhaps fifty
people were massed on the promenade on
posite that point by this time.
In the crowd were half dozen youths
They shouted to McCarey. He turned
half about and looked up.
Let her go, old manri yelled one.
'Now's your time" cried another.
Headlong Down to Death.
McCarey, with an air of bravado, swung
his arm TO the crowd and yelled, Here /
goW He lowered his head, loosened shis
grasp on the cable, and with both arms
extended sprang out with shout OF exal-
tation. He went down head first and
made two complete somersaults before he
struck in the frothy wake Of the tugboat
fiat on his face. Dooley got to the center
OF the span in time to see McCarey strike
the water. The conclusion made a report
that sounded as II plank had been
dropped.
McCarey's body disappeared. It came 20
the surface in a second. The arms were
still outstretched. The head was sub
merged Not the slightest movement was
noticeable. Blood tinged the foam on the
surface. The tide carried the body under
the bridge. Then it disappeared
His Wife Hears the News.
Mrs. Mary McCarey went to the bridge
police station last night and asked IL any
one had jumped of the bridge The ser
geant told her man had jumped and been
drowned He showed her the clothing.
That's him-Francis. my husbandw
cried the woman. When her outburst OF
grief was over she said her husband had
been hard drinker, and that all his
trouble was the result Of it.
McCarey left note addressed to his
wife. 1t said that he was to get 81. 600
from Steve" Brodie II he was successful
In making the jump II he was drowned
the Iron Molders' union would pay her
l25O insurance Brodie says he did not
offer McCarey any money
The Record Of the Bridge.
Since May, 1885. six men have Jumped |
from the bridge Professor Odlum, the |
first, killed himself Brodie was the next. |
After him was Larry Donovan A painter /
iell from the bridge and was injured so |
badly that he died. A German named |
Poach jumped successfully, and some /
time afterward shot himself A lovesick /
Staten Island youth got six months Tor
and McCarey lost his life
The Mflkman CeIebrated AIao.