Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-05-31
DIES IN DARING LEAP 10
WIN MOVIE" CONTRACT
Hundreds of Friends See Phila-
delphian Jump to Death
From Brooklyn Bridge.

Police tugs are dragging the East River
beneath Brooklyn bridge, New York. TO-
day, for the body OF Henry Clarke, a
Philadelphian, who was instantly Killed
yesterday when he jumped from high up
In the towering cables Of the bridge.
Clarke made the Jump, believing the mo-
toriety would aid him to get contract
with motion picture company.
Clarke was machinist He lived at
1888 Lancaster avenue. and was employed
in the West Philadelphia shops OF the
Pennsylvania Railroad year ago he
jumped from the Spring Garden street
bridge over the schuylkill River to win
bet of $50. He also had Jumped from a
bridge in Harrisburg.
Before going to New York Saturday
niCht.wlth his wife and party of friends
and fellow employees, Clarke sought to
make a contract with motlon-picture
companies in this city He failed. Then
he came TO the conclusion that the
reputation he would get from making the
jump would result in contracts for film
work, and also for high dives and jumps
at summer resorts and fairs.
Several hundred employees OF the Penn
sylvania Railroad Company, friends Of
Clarke, went to New York yesterday
morning on an early train. They lined
the promenade of Brooklyn Bridge and
the piers of Manhattan Island and Brook
lyn. south of the bridge to see Clarke
make his jump.
Clarke's friends believe his haste in
making the plunge caused his death.
Three bluecoats started to pursue him
whom he was about 20 feet up the cables
along the promenade in the centre of the
bridge. He climbed like an expert Al
though weighed down by the lead he
had put In his shoes in the belief 1t would
prevent his body from turning even IL he
lost his nerve, he made steady progress.
1t was raining and the cables were Slip
perry, but Clarge did not falter.
The news of the pursuit spread quickly.
Thousands of men and women were rush
ing from the Manhattan end of the
Brooklyn bridge as Clarke ascended the
cables followed by Martin, policeman.
tugboat. moored at a Brooklyn pier
end, started its whistle blowing, and hun
dreds of women screamed at Clarke to
walt. Martin thought Clark was insane.
He called to him constantly to wait, but
Clarke paid no attention.
The spot from which Clarke jumped is
about 1856 feet above the waters of the
East River This is the highest jump
ever attempted from Brooklyn bridge.
where dozens of men have sought to
emulate the exploits of Steve Brodie, the
first man to jump from the bridge
Martin was less than 20 feet away and
climbing recklessly when Clarke halted,
standing UP on one of the thin lateral
cables.
60 back" yelled Clarke, II know
what I'm doing"
Then folding his arms he jumped. His
body remained erect as he shot down
ward until he had almost reached the
water. Then it was seen to waver slight
ly. Suddenly it turned over and Clarke
struck on his back. He disappeared in a
cloud of spray and then shot up as
though bouncing. Then the body sank.
1t has not yet been recovered.
Bridge policemen think the height of
the jump with the strong wind that was
blowing and the rain rendered Clarke un-
conscious before he hit the water. They
say this probably caused his body to
turn. 1t Is believed his back was broken
by the impact
Small boats and tugs shot out from
both sides of the river as Clarke struck
the water. They cruised around the spot
for half hour, awaiting for the body to
rise to the surface. Then police tugs
with graphing irons took up the work.
Mrs. Clarke returned to her home in
this city after being questioned by the
police. She said she had tried in vain to
dissuade her husband from the attempt
She remained at the Manhattan end of
the bridge, her friends going to the foot
of Dover street. 1t was not until after
Clarke had jumped that she ventured TO
the rivers edge.