Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 September 1900 — Jumped for the Highest Wager. [ARTICLE]

Jumped for the Highest Wager.

In the “History of the West Branch Valley” Mr. Meginness tells the story of Marcus Ruling’s famous jump. Huling was walking along the riverbank when he suddenly became aware that he was pursued by Indians. Realizing that his only hope of safety lay in flight, he ran with all speed toward the precipice at Blue Hill, but the Indians gained on him. ’ Driven to the edge of the frightful precipice, with the savages yelling in his rear, he determined to jump, preferring to die in this manner rather than to fall beneath the tomahawk. Seizing a large overhanging branch of a tree, Ife leaped over the brink and landed some ninety feet below on a shelf of rock, unhurt! From this point he jumped forty feet farther into the river, and escaped with only a dislocation of his shoulder. The savages were obliged to run round for a mile, and Huling had time to make his escape. It is supposed that the branch broke his fall, and saved his life. Huling, on being asked about it, replied: “I jumped for a great wager. I jumped for my life!”