Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-06-05
ROBERT BIDWELL KILLED
JUMPS FROM HIGHEST POINT OF
BROOKLYN BRIDGE.
Opinions Divided as to Whether OF
Not He Committed Suicide
Native of Warrington.

Robert G. Bidwell, we'll known in Wash
ington whose mother, Mrs. Annie J. Bid
| well, lives at No. 1882 Oregon avenue,
leaped from the highest point Of the CEN
ter span Of the Brooklyn bridge about 4:30
o'clock yesterday afternoon and was kill
ed. His body was discovered near the
Manhattan pier Of the bridge at 6:15 by
two longshoremen, and was recovered from
the river by Policemen Otto Raphael and
jeremiah Sullivan. call was sent to
Gouverneur Hospital for an ambulance,
but on its arrival the surgeon accompany
ing 1t said the man had been dead an hour
A conductor Of Fulton street car report
ed at the Brooklyn end Of the bridge at
4:3O clock that a man had left his car at
the highest part Of the bridge and, waving
two American flags, had jumped to the
river.
Young Bidwell had swathed his ody in
towels and newspapers, and under his
clothing he wore life preserver. These
precautions, the police say, dispel the
theory that suicide was the motive for the
mad leap.
Contents of His Pockets.
In the pockets of the clothing worn by
the unfortunate man were several letters, a
bicycle whistle, a pair of silver link cum
buttons LII in money and key to Room
49, Colonial Hotel, 125th street and Sth ave-
nue.. He also had a late edition Of New
YORK evening paper and a copy or the
Jacksonville F1a) Times-Union OF April
r. which contained an account Of a series
of lectures which he was to deliver at the
Park Opera House in that city.
The letters were addressed to Robert G.
Bidwell, care Of William Turner. 223 West
18th street, New York city. One Of them
was from the mother of the dead man and
another was from his wife, 142o East
Adams street, Jacksonville. Fla. The let
o m h.
ingtOn May 81.
In Bidwelrs pocket was also postal card
addressed to him at 500 Columbus avenue.
In this he was requested to call on Mrs.
William Mfchelena, 203 Bedford Park. New
York. There were several cards of the Co
lonial Hotel. 125th street and Sth avenue, on
the back of one of which was written:
Robert Gibbons Bidwell. Author of the
Reign Of Mind 1882 Oregon Avenue. N.
w, Washington. D. c., and 1925 East
Adams Street, Jacksonville, Fla, June 4th
1901 'Veni, vidi, Vict.' "
The clipping from the Jacksonville
Times-Union contains the following as the
titles of the lectures which Bidwell was to
deliver April -: Electricity and Life"
One and the Same Infinite Consciousness"
1.-THE Coming Wars in Europe and ASIA"
Washington, D. c., and Our Presidents"
Congress and the Constitution Scored"
"A Man of Destiny-William J. Bryan"
Love and Its Affinity Proofs Of Jmmor-
talty."
Native of Washington.
Robert G. Bdwell was born in Washing
ton about thirty years ago. HIS parents
lived In Florida for number of years, his
father A. l. Bidwell of Arlington and Or
landO, Fla, having been one of the impor-
tant orange growers and nurserymcn of the
peninsula state before the great freeze.
Young Bidwell and his wife left Wash
ington three months ago for Jacksonville.
A few days ago the young mans mother
received letter from his wife in which it
was said that he was about to sail from
Jacksonville for New York. Mrs. E!dwell
received letter from her son yesterday,
telling of his arrival in New York.
The relatives of young Bidwell in seeking
to account for his rash act. believe that his
mind was temporarily deranged
Mother and Sister Reostrated.
Both Mrs. A. G. Bidwell mother of the
unfortunate man. and her daughter Mrs
Lincoln Smith are Frustrated by the news
of his death. At their residence 1882 Ore
gon avenue northwest, it was stated this
afternoon that no arrangements for the
disposition Of the remains had as yet been
made. Mr.. Lincoln Smith went to New
York last night as soon the news was
received here, and will doubtless make all
arrangements there. Neither Mrs Bidwell
nor her daughter could be today.