Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-02-20
SAM PArcH's LAST JUMP
The Circumstances Recalled ON the Ami.
versary Of His Death.

The Circumstances Recalled ON the Ami.
versary Of His Death.
November 10, 1929, Sam Patch lost
his life In jumping from scatfold
twenty-five feet above the brink Of the
Genesee Falls In the city Of Rochester,
into the abyss below. He undertook to
Jump In all distance Of 125 feet. or
course the whole population Of Roches-
ter as well as the farmers from neigh
boring villages were upon the scene.
The fame Of Patch had for several
weeks been q topic Of conversation
among the early settlers. Around the
home fireplace, as well az the big fire.
place In the tavern, while the settlers
slipped their cider. they talked Of the
wonders Of the man from Jersey.
Patch was born in Rhode Island in
1907. Soon after he removed to Pater-
son, N. j., at which place in 1927. he
was seized with the jumping mania.
After giving several daring exhibitions
in New Jersey, he decided to try his
luck at Niagara Falls two years later.
In October, 1927, he jumped from
shelving rock between Goat Island and
the gurgling waters many feet below
A few days later he startled the natives
by jumping from the old Fitzhugh
street bridge at dawn. He swan un-
der the water to convenient hiding
place, where he 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 he startled
Rochester lad by jumping from the
the brink Of the falls to the rapids be-
low. II Patch had not treasured the
boy lie would have had half of the
population of Rochester dragging the
water for his dead body.
With such record 1t IL no wonder
that on the morning of Novermer IL
all the muddy roads leading to Roches-
ter were thronged with people desir'
Gus of seeing the wonderful jumper.
Even II farmers were unusually busy
in securing the last of their harvests.
they found time to take a day off In
order to witness the feats Of Sam
Patch. Several boats brought hun
dreds Of visitors in holiday attire
from Canada, Oswego and Lewiston
Buffalo, Canandaigua and Batavia were
almost depopuated on account Of the
exodus to Rochester, The few taverns
In the city turned guests away and
many had to camp out over night
Notwithstanding the raw cold
weather throngs OF settlers lined the |
banks below the falls Although Sam
said he did not feel the cold weather, |
he was pleased to fortify himself with |
a drink of brandy rendered to him by
his friend William Cochrane. Several
Of the spectators contributed unique
uniform. Dressed in white trousers.
decorated with black silk handker-
chief tied around his body, surm0unt-
ed by light wooden jacket and skull
cap, Sam must have presented a gro
tesque appearance.
After taking another drink from the
flask Sam made the following speech |
to the thousands of breathless specta-
tors: Napoleon was a great man
and great general He conquerer |
armies. and he conquered nations. But
he couldn't jump the Genesee Falls.
Wellington was great man, and a
great soldier he conquered armies
and he conquered nations, and he con-
quered Napoleon, but he couldn't jump
the Genesee Falls. That was left for
me to do, and can do 1t and will"
Although Sam Patch could Jump the
Genesee Falls when he was sober he
could not do it when he felt the effects
Of the brandy Owing to this fact he
met his death when he took the jump.
When the thousands Of silent and hor-
spectators saw Sam strike
the water, they did not see him come
to the surface. His descent was so un-
like his previous efforts, when he shot
like an arrow from bow, that the
spectators were certain that he met
his doom when he reached the water
and the ragged, piercing rocks be-
meath,
The spectators searched in vain for
the jumper. The torches Of the
searchers along the river bank and
those Of the searchers who dragged the
river In boats lit up the river during
the long night hours Amid the roar
Of the cataract the sorr0wng multi
tudes shed tears for the jolly good
fellow, who like many others, loved
his bottle on occasions.
Notwithstanding the rumors that
Sam Patch had been seen alive in
Rochester. nothing was heard Of him
until st. Patrlck's Day when his body
was found In a cake of Ice near the
mouth OF the Genesee His remains
were buried In the cemetery at Char
lotte. Although II had been the am
bltion Of his life to Jump London
Bridge, he met death in the Genesee.
The feats OF Sam Patch filled the news
papers for weeks, and although such
poets as Mrs. Sigourney wrote poems
dedicated to his memory, no monu-
ment has been erected In commemora-
ton OF his feats.
Indeed the event produced pro-
found impression upon the people Of
hose days. On the following Sunday,
he preachers In Rochester and neigh
boring towns could not say enough