The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-24
ROBERT E. NOLAN LEAPS ID DEATH
 FROM N. Y..BR!DGE
Former Birmingham Law yer Takes Own Life in a Dramatic Manner-De-
 spondency Cause

New York. September 23.-(Special.D } Robert Emmct Nolan, formerly res- idcnt of Birming ham. committed sul- eide here today by ensuing himself from Manhattan bridge into East river. The suicide was successful in his desperate attempt only after n spectacular strug- gle with John Carter. 400 Baltic street, Brooklyn. struggle in which the man who attempted to save him came nenr losing his own life. The body of Nolan has not ns yet been recovered.
 Judging from the contents of letter thrust into the hands of Carter by the man bent on self destruction, despon- dency was the cause of his desire to die, despondency resulting from his belief thai he had failed as lawyer, had los. honor, and bad dreamed too much.' The letter addressed to the public follows;
 1T have. made mess of everything. With the best of homes, training. ed- ucation. friends and opportunities. am a failure in striving to keep my honor towards the people generally. nave lOst Iiy iOiioi tO0"i N' tiiSfN near me I have tried awfully hard to succeed in my profession I have given the law my labor, my love and my honor. It has taken all. It may now have my life. Maybe I dream too much. R. F. NOLAN,
 Hotel Martinique"
 Carter Describes Fall
 John Carter. into whose hands the letter was thrust. and who made an unsuccess- repaired immediately after his failure. to a police station and there told his story.
 1T was standing" said he, near the Manhattan bridge anchorage when, a well dressed young man approached and in the most civil manner asked if I would be so kind as to deiever letter At the same time he thrust the letter into my hand and passed me- increasing the speed of his paces. In surprise, glanced at the address and read:
 q ITO the public.
 Instantly I knew that the man was planning self destruction. I hastily turned and saw him 20 paces to my rear. preparing to lift himself over the railing of the bridge. I dashed forward and grasped his foot, thus checking for an instant his fall He gave me T terrific shove with his foot and as I still clune to his shoe. he turned and fought me desperately with his finger nails and fist At one time he tottered towards the river with force sufficient to lift me from my feet, and pull me against the rail- ing. I then realized that I. myself, was in danger. Immediately after wards the man managed to free him self and fell backward from the rail- ing of the bridge. l rushed forward and saw the dizzy fall heard the splash of the water as it divided to < receive its victim. saw the spray rise 20 feet or more. and then there was silence. The body never caioe to the surface during the time that watched.
 Delayed the Leap
 The hotel clerk at the Martinique stated that Nolan had registered there August 90 and had remained throughout Friday. At that time he disappeared. The letter he left addressed to the public was written on the Martinique stationery. It Is believed by local detectives that the man. prepared then to end his life, wrote his letter, and postponing the fatal plunge from day to day. carried the missive in his pocket. If the young man clung to life from Friday. when he left the hotel until today. winch he died, In the hope of finding fortune, lie evidently spoke
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