The evening times., 1897-07-05
KEEBEL'S FATAL SPRING
Leaped From Brooklyn Bridge and
Never Rose Again.
Eluded the Police, Who Were Ad-
vised He Would Attempt the
Feat, and Met His Doom.

New York, July 5 5-wfliam c. Keebel.
a sailor, jumped from the roadway OF the
Brooklyn Bridge yesterday morning at
five minutes before IL O'Clock, struck the
water On his right side, sank. and did not
rise again.
The bridge jumper was expected TO at
tempt the greatest feat Of his life yester-
day morning, and though the police were
ON che lookout for him he eluded them.
1t appears that Keebel, who was an un-
married man. about twenty-five years cid,
prided himself on his jumping abilities,
and In a conversation at mis- boarding place
Friday morning, talked OF leaping from
the tallest mast into the water. Then
came a dare from some Of his listeners
He was bantered to leap from the Brooklyn
Bridge and accepted the challenge.
Arrangements were made for the attempt
to take place yesterday morning, but some
one in the secret divulged the plan to the
bridge pcIice, and the y took steps TO prevent
the violation Of the bridge jumping ordl-
nance, and to arrest the principal and
abettors. as all such are guilty OF a
misdemeanOr under the law. Special men
were detailed to keep watch at the New
York end OF the bridge. and the entire
bridge force were cautioned TO be on the
lookout for the jumper.
While the bridge police were waiting
for the wOuld-be jumper at 10 O'Clock In
the morning closed carria ge, with An
tonic BlOnteCide driving, left the livery
stable II Charles Badgatu and drove TO
No 1876 Chrystie street, W here Keebel.
who called himself captain" and three
companions werein waiting. Thethreemen
were Dunbar Mcdonald, waiter; Michael
Curren, a plumber; and Waiter Weed, also
a waiter The four men entered the car
riage, aud instead OF going on the bridge
from this city, as waseXpected, the y crossed
to Brooklyn on the Catharine street ferry
Bridge polic Thomas Brady and
Andrew Kane We're on duty at the Brook
lyn end OF the bridge, and had noticed
nothing suspicious, excepting the actions
uf two men. VINO had been lingering about
the center OF the bridge for some time.
until the carriage wit h the four men inside
passed them and slowly followed the north
roadway. The policemen started after the
carriage and kept within ten feet OF tt
When the vehicle reached the center OF
the great span, where the two men before
noticed We're standing, the door was open
ed, and while the horses were moving
Eeebei, bareheaded and barefooted, wear
ing an armies sweater and trousers held
up witt a strap, leaped out, sprang to the
rail and plunged TO the water 26 feet be-
low. before the police could interfere.
The jumper went feet first. and all was
well until he neared the water, when he
turned and struck on his right side. Hun-
dreds of spectators eaZed at the circliug
eddy where he had disappeared, looking Tor
his temperance He did NOT rise, but
there came to the surface a small piece of
cloth, which probably was a portion Of his
hing 1t floated away and was not re-
covered.
The driver OF the carriage. the three men
inside and the two who apparently had teen
waiting for the others. and wbo gave their
names es Lawrence sprock and George
Schuraph. were arrested and taken 10 the
Bridge station In Brooklyn, where they were
held