The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-03-23
TRUCE TO OIL KING,
TO VISIT HIS HEIR
PLUNGES In RIVER
IN SUDDEN FRENZY
Recurrence of Nervous Trouble
Prompts Arthur Epson to
Leap from Bridge.

Seized with sudden, compelling i'm
pulse to end his life, Arthur Upson,
instructor in literature at the univer-
sity and poet of recognized ability,
leaped from the Tenth avenue bridge
into the Mississippi today while on his
way to his classes at the university.
He is now at the city hospital with
a chance of recovery.
The tragic attempt was witnessed by
Thomas Williams, Waterman at the
west end of the bridge, who knew Mr..
Epson by sight and who was the means
of saving his life at least for a time.
Mr.. Upson was crossing the bridge to-
ward the university and was carrying
and books. He appeared to be in good
spirits and walked rapidly against the
strong wind. Williams watched him
closely out of curiosity until he was
directly over the channel leading into
the electric power house.
Impulse Was Sudden.
Suddenly the young man dropped his
grip and, turning quickly, vaulted the
high rail and disappeared below. Will
liams, almost spellbound at the sight,
rushed bareheaded from his Watchhouse
and yelled frantically for the workmen
along the dam to rescue the drowning
man. At first they paid no heed to
his calling and the current was rapidly
trap gates where there is a strong un-
| dercurrent. Finally one of the work
men heard the call and signaling to
the others led them out on the boom to
| the rescue.
They were Just in time. Heavy cloth
ing buoyed up the body, and for a mo
ment the current carried it close to tn
boom, where the men were able t
fasten their pikehooks into the cloth
ing and draw him out. He had tioate'
the entire distance on his back, and
first it was thought that he had take1
little or no water in his lungs.
A physician was hastily summoned t
attend him, and later Mr.. Upson wa
removed to the city hospital, where
was learned that much water had Ell
tered his lungs, complicating the case.
}, On the way to the hospital the polio
/ opened the grip, not knowing who tn
j Respondent man was. In they foun
his name, and at once notified member
} of the faculty.
e5.--sz.-z- A Habit of OyerWork.
Mr.. Epson lives with his mother, Mr.
, James S. Epson, in the Lexington apar
, ments, on Eleventh street, and left tn
t house in his usually good spirits, BIZ
: ding his mother goodby cheerfully. Sh
: says that he had no reason for attemp
D. ing his life, but that he had long bee
. a sufferer with dizziness, which SCENE
8 to trouble him. A year ago he had a
attack of nervous prostration and VIZ
compelled to drop his studies and trav
abroad. He appeared to be entlre
recovered, but his friends think tn;
the old trouble came back and brougl
on a sudden attack of dementia.
Since the resignation Of DIR. G.
McClumpha Mr.. Epson has had chars
of many of the most important Englls
l. branches, and his students have notice
e that the strain of the work seemed
y wear on the young instructor: Esp
cially during the past week has tn
fact been noticeable, and students hay
It commented freely on his increaslr
3 nervousness. Close associates toda
said that of late he had studied I'M
,. the small hours night after night. Ye
r. terday, however, he seemed in GOO
. spirits and carried on half hour CO.
. versation with President Northrop
i the administrative offices yesterds
. the Young poet is interested were di
8 cussed and DR.. Northrop could hard
. believe the news conveyed to him tn
s morning.
!. Mr.. Epson is graduate Of the Un
: versity Of Minnesota. He entered &C
) 1ege In 1898, but was compelled /
:. nervous exhaustion to g i've up h
. studies and spend two years travell1
(. in Europe. During his European sta
. he became personally acquainted wit
!. many literary celebrities, including tt
. queen of Rumania, and he returned
s this country with renewed enthusiast
s in literary work.
!. Acute nervousness and temporary /
!. sanity is the generally accepted theeo1
!. on the university campus in regard
5 Mr.. Upson's act.