True Life Tuesday: Steve Brodie

An interesting story from a time in history when tall tales were the norm.

Steve Brodie was born on December 25, 1861 on the east side of the Bowery in New York City. Three days before he was born his father was killed in a street brawl. As a young man he sold newspapers and blackened shoes to make money. He also made many rescues of people who fell into the water. 

By July 1886 he was broke due to his gambling addiction. With the blessing of his wife he allegedly jumped from the Brooklyn Bridge on July 23, 1886. It was stated that he jumped anywhere from 120 to 135 feet. It was believed that he jumped feet first and was uninjured other than some pain in his right side. After the jump he was immediately arrested and jailed. People were skeptical of his claim from the beginning. The main theory was that someone dropped a dummy from the bridge and he jumped out of a row boat that was in the water below.

He made some other jumps after the Brooklyn Bridge incident. On November 9, 1888 he jumped from the Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge from a height of 222 feet. He earned $500 for the stunt. In 1889 he dove from Horseshoe Falls in Canada and was also arrested. 

Brodie took full advantage of his fame. He starred in 2 vaudeville musicals and opened a saloon on the Bowery. He was known to be be very generous and gave food and coffee away to the homeless during the financial difficulties of the 1890s. 

He dies on January 31, 1901 in San Antonio, Texas with his family by his side. His cause of death was listed as diabetes and tuberculosis. He left behind an estate of almost $4 million in today's funds. After his death he was portrayed in popular media through films and books. The phrase "taken a Brodie" also became popular.