Evening star., 1949-12-04
The Death of Bob OdIum
By John CIoqett Proctor

By John CIoeett Proctor
One of the significant events
In the life Of the Washington
Light Infantry, and one which
numerous persons now living will
recall, was the big fair given at
the old roller skating rink In the
spring of 1883. The rink was then
a new structure, and stood on the
south side Of New York avenue,
between Thirteenth and Four
teenth streets NV, on the site
now occupied by the Capital
Garage.
A fair had been given three
years before to raise money to
defray the expenses Of uniform
ing and equipping recruits. 1t 80
greatly exceeded the expectations
Of the corps that the larger one
afterward given was decided upon
for the purpose of securing their
own armory. The sum realized
was devoted to the purchase Of
the armory site at the corner Of
Fifteenth and E streets.
In those days it was privilege
to belong to this nationally known
military organization and an equal
honor to be invited to any Of its
dances or functions. AS for the
girl whose sweetie was a member
of the corps, she was, indeed, the
envy Of all the other girls who
happened not to be 50 fortunately
situated.
Many Donations
When the infantry held its
mammoth fair, nearly so years
ago, Washington had only about
17o.000 persons all told. However,
what the city lacked in numbers
then, it made up in enthusiasm,
and nearly every business house
in Washington gave something to
help the cause along. Donations,
both in money and merchandise
OF the most valuable character,
poured In from all quarters. until,
by the time the fair opened. more
than $4,000 worth of goods alone
had been turned over to those
in charge.
Space for the display Of goods
and articles was assigned to va
rious merchants, many of whom
were members Of the corps. On
view in different parts Of this hall
were some Of the prizes. includ-
ing q solid silver tea service.
valued at $4,000; a grand up
right piano. valued at 500; dia-
mond earrings. side-bar top buggy,
gold watch and chain and other
useful and ornamental articles.
BY removing the dressing rooms
on the sides and by laying floor
over the concrete. a clear space Of
IS by 156 feet was obtained. Added
to this was a building especially
constructed for a supper room on
an adjoining lot.
Oldtime Dances
During the evening the full Ma
rine Band. under the leadership Of
John Philip Sousa. q native Wash
|ingtoniap. maintained its national
reputation.
It Is interesting to note the Diff
ference in the old and new style
Of popular types Of dancing. Then
we had the waltz. lancers. quad
rifle. gallop. polka and schottische
dances which required much
practice to execute gracefully.
Scanning one Of the corps dance
programs of many years ago, at
which E. H. Neumeyer was floor
director, the name that caused the
writer to ponder over the past was
that Of Robert E. Odlum. How
many people recall Bob" Odlum,
the great swimmer and diver? He
was the first man to jump OF the
Brooklyn Bridge and, In doing so,
he came 10 an early and untimely
end.
The writer recalls seeing Odlum
but once. although this celebrity
lived with his brother George, his
mother and sister. the latter a
widow, Mrs. Charlotte Smith. at
2020 Ninth street NV. only one
block away from the home of the
writer's parents. On the occasion
referred to. the great athlete was
attending a performance at Ford's
Opera House, at Ninth street and
Louisiana avenue, when he was
pointed out, and a good look at
his famous, large feet was OBJ
tanned.
Charlie Smith. his nephew and
a boy of the neighborhood, was
taught swimming by Uncle Bob"
and q very apt scholar he proved
to be, for In later life he reflected
much credit upon his instructor.
How Bob Odlum Died
So confident of success was Od-
lum that he had arranged to give
an exhibition with Capt. Boynton
in Baltimore the following week.
expecting that his fame in ac-
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