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A GREAT JUMP.Prof. Oman Leaps I rom the Highest Point of the HriJge. a PistaiKc of 100 l ed. Into ThtLumiU ol P.un-ke IHver.Prof. Cowan, n traveling athlete, jumped froiu the highest point of the .Seaboard Air Line bridge here. Tuesday alteruoou, into the swift eurreoi of Kuao-oke tiver and curne out right side up with care.When the announcement was made that Profs. O'Dell and Cowan, champion high jumper* of the world, would jump from the bridge into the river, much curiosity wan excited and at the appointed hour, six o'clock, « large crowd, com* posed of every specimen, age and condi tion of humanity, to say nothing of the dogs, assembled on the bridge and along the hunks of the river to witness thin wonderful performance. Many imagined that Prof. Cowan would simply jump from the walk way of the bridge, but when the little fellow run nimbly up the ladder and stood upon the very pinnacle of the bridge, the lit ads of those below him grew dizzy uud many of the spectator* were compelled to grasp moido tirm support to maintain their balance. The professor was dro*»od in green stockinet uud front his dizzy height the people1 below him looked like Lilliputians,When he reached the top of the bridge he Mood tipun the narrow frame work lor some seconds, with arms outstretched,just like a bird sometimes Mretches itswings preparatory to flight, and gaz**d steadily upon the rushing water, |i*ii feet below. It was un awful moment and the strain upon the nerves of those who stood with upturned laces was most intense. It appeared to many that ho would not take the leap, and sutue imagined that lie was saying a farewell prayer before plunging iuio what looked like attain death.Put the cud came nt Inst. The Professor raised his arms high above his head and shouted to the people below . “Goodbye everybody,’’ and sprung nimbly out into space. His body shot down us straight as an arrow from the bow, and in three seconds he was out of sight into the water, lie came up in u few seconds and swum to the boat, in waiting near by. Then a groat shout went up from those who had witnessed the won tierf ul jump, and Professor Ouwau became the hero of the hour.Professors 0 Dell uud Cowan are both expert jumpers and say they have twice jumped from the Urouklyn (M. V ) bridge.Professor O’Dell in conversation with a News reporter says ho was here some years ago and that he is the mao who gave the balloon ascension hete at one of our fairs. Many of our readers will remember this balloon ascension The professor took a little dog up with him in the car, but the balloon was contrary and came down in the piuus almost as soon us it bad cleared the fence of the fair grounds, and the Professor narrowly escaped being seriously injure!.It was stated that the Piofessors would jump from the bridge agaiu last evening
Newspaper Details
Weldon Roanoke News
Weldon, North Carolina, US
Thu, May 27, 1897
Page 3
Full Page
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Anonymous
USA 02 Jun 2022
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