Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1900-11-15
A PLUNGE TO DEATH.
SAM PATCH'S FAMOUS JUMP OVER
THE GENeSEs FALLS.

The Last of a Sensational Series OF
Daring Fents which Might Have
Resulted Differently but For a bot
tie of Brandy.
Nov. Is, 1929. Sam Patch lost his life
In jumping from q scaffold % feet
above the brink Of the Genesee falls
into the abyss below. He undertook
to jump in all q distance of 125 feet.
or the whole population of
Rochester rs well as the farmers from
neighboring villages were upon the
Gene. The fame Of Patch had for
several weeks been a topic of conver-
sation among the early settlers.
Patch was born In Rhode Island in
1907. Soon after he removed to Pater.
son, n. j., at which place in 1927 be
was seized with the jumping mania.
After giving several daring exhibitions
In New Jersey be decided to try his
luck ut Niagara falls two years later.
In October, 1927. he jumped from a
shelving rock between Goat island and
the gurgling waters many feet below.
A few days later he startled the ma.
tives by Jumping from the old Fitz.
hugh street bridge at dawn. He swan
under the water to a convenient hiding
place. where be had much amusement
In watching several boats crowded
with people dragging for his body.
They were startled when he called
merrily TO them. joking them for their
wasted efforts in his behalf.
On another morning be startled a
Rochester lad by jumping from TIE
brink Of the falls to the rapids below.
II Patch had not treasured the boy. he
would have had half OF the population
of Rochester dragging the water for
his dead body.
With such n record Ii Is no wonder
that on the morning of Nov. Is all the
muddy roads leading TO Rochester
were thronged with people DESTROYS of
seeing the wonderful jumper. Even II
farmers were unusually busy in secur-
ing the last OF their Earvests they
found time to take a day or two Off in
order to witness the feats Of Sam
Patch. Several boats brought hundreds
of visitors In holiday attire from Can
ada Oswego and Lewiston. Buffalo.
Canandaigua and Batavia were almost
depopulated on account of the exodus
TO Rochester. The few taverns In the
city turned guests away. and many
had to camp ou overnight.
Notwithstanding the raw. cold wealth.
er throngs OF settlers lined The banks
below the falls. Although Sam said h.
did not feel the cold weather. he was
pleased TO fortify himself with n drink
OF brandy rendered TO him hy hts
friend. William Cochrane. Several OF
the spectators contributed q uniGne
uniform. Dressed In white trousers
decorated with a black silk handkpr-
chief tied around his body. surmotluted
by a Hight wooicn jacket am! skullcap.
sam must have presented a grOtesgrp
appearance.
After taking another drink from The
hask Sam made the following speech
TO. the thousands OF brpa;hic.s spc.tr.
tors: Napoleon was n great r,ap aad
a great general. He c~1igucred armies,
p he conquered nations. ~, lie
couldn't jrmp the GencSee fails. wei
ilngton WAS n great man ami a great
soldier lie conquered armies. ami he
conquered n~;tloiis. and tie conquered
Napoleon. hut he coGlda't i,,np the
GenFsec falls That was left FOR me Ia
do. aad J can do II aud will"
Aithougn sam Patch could jump tile
Gcnesee fails when be was sober. he
could moi do II when he felt the effects
81 the brandy Owing TO this fact he