Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 May 1885 — JUMPED TO HIS DEATH. [ARTICLE]

JUMPED TO HIS DEATH.

Professor Odium Plunges from Brooklyn Bridge to the Waters of East River, and Is Taken Out Bead. [New York telegram.] A cab left the New York entrance of the Brooklyn bridge and was driven to the middle of the great span. Here the driver pulled up and two men got out and began to climb the railing. Before they had reached the t->p a bridge policeman came toward them brandishing his < lub and ordering them to "get down out of that.” While he was talking with the young man a covered wagon containing Prof. E. Odium and a companion stopped about 100 leet behind the cab. Quickly divesting himself of the blue flannel in which he was dressed. PYof. Odium, clad in a red shirt and trunks, jumped from the carriage, and sprang lightly to the railing. He quickly reached the top, and, poising himself for a moment, he stood erect and glanced hurriedly at the surface of the East liiver, far below h.m. The people on the bridge sent up a cry of horror when they saw the Professor prepare to plunge off the bridge into the river, 135 feet beneath his feet. The policeman, whose attention had now been directed from the two men, rushed toward the Professor. Before he had gone a dozen feet Prof. Odium, without a moment's hesitation, had leaped out from the railway and into the air. He held one hand above his head as a rudder to guide him in his descent. A tug and a schooner floated lazily in the stream several yards below the bridge. The tug was filled with club men and reporters. Boyton stood near the prow, anxiously watching the bridge. The moment Professor Odium's bodv was seen to leave the railing, Harry E. Dixey, the actor, started a stop-watch, which he held in his hand in order to time the descent. For nearly a hundred feet the Professor came down all right, feet foremost; he shot downward with the speed of a meteor, his red suit making him easily discernible for a long distance. When within thirty feet of the water his body began to turn. As if realizing his danger, Professor Odium brought down his hand with a warlike motion to aid him in recovering his balance; the movement was, however, made too late, his body had now turned so lar it was impossible to change its course. Half a second later, with a mighty splash that threw up the water eu all sides as it torn with a shell. Prof. Odium’s body s ruck the water on one side, and sank out of sight. A rowboat soon came to the rescue, and Prof. Odium was taken from the water. A few moments later he was transferred to the tug and restoratives were administered. After considerable rubbing the eyes of the Professor opened. "What kind of a jump did I make?” he whispered. "First-class, my boy,” responded Boyton, “you'll be all right in a lit*le while;” but he was insensible again before the words had hardly left his lips. The tug steamed hastily to her slip, and just as the pier was reached a shudder passed through the frame of the Professor, and then, after breathing heavily once or twice, his heart stopped beating, and he was pronounced dead.