Ed Delahanty how he died ...

[GhostofGehrig]

Can someone explain his death? All I know is he died falling over Niagra Falls.

Thanks

[VIBaseball]

There's a bio of Big Ed (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=delahed01) by Mike Sowell, author of "The Pitch That Killed." It's called "July 2, 1903." The whole incident was very mysterious. From the back cover:

"Delahanty (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=delahed01), drunk and disorderly, had been put off the train late one night at a way station just across the Niagara River from Buffalo, New York. Shortly afterward, he had plunged off the International Bridge into the waters below, where he was swept downriver and over the powerful waterfall.

But there were more questions about Delahanty's (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=delahed01) bizarre and gruesome fate than there were answers. People wondered what happened on that bridge that night to send the famous ballplayer to his death. Some thought it was an accident and some thought it was suicide. Others wondered if there was foul play involved. People also wondered what had led Delahanty to that bridge in the first place.

There were many questions about Delahanty's (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=delahed01) death that would never be answered. And there were others that some people did not want answered."

Sowell doesn't really come down in favor of one theory or another, probably because it was not possible to tell for sure then or now.

[GhostofGehrig]

Thanks VIBaseball.
Quite a mystery.

[runningshoes]

This is interesting.

From the Atlanta Constitution, July 7, 1903:

the day Delehanty (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=delahed01) left Detroit he had taken out a accident policy made payable to his little daughter and he wrote a letter in which he expressed the hope that the train he was taking would run off the track or that something would happen to him

And the headlines read:

Baseball Star Kills Himself

Ed Delehanty (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=delahed01) Leaped from a bridge at Fort Erie, Ont.

Famous player had not been in form and was dissatisfied because he had to play with Washington – Took out Accident policy

Yet the first paragraph of the story says "the famous baseball player, committed suicide or was accidentally drowned," and that he either "fell or jumped into the water."

I'm not sure how accurate that is because the paper also reports the Delehanty (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=delahed01) fell off the Peace Bridge at Fort Erie. This may not seem like a big deal to most people, but Fort Erie is a good 20 minutes up the Niagara River. I'm from Niagara Falls and to me or anyone else from that area, this would be a glaring error.

[SHOELESSJOE3]

[SIZE="1"]"Delahanty (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=delahed01), drunk and disorderly, had been put off the train late one night at a way station just across the Niagara River from Buffalo, New York.


Being a fanatic on the history of baseball I have visited that very sight, the point where Ed (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=delahed01) was asked to leave the train. I live in Buffalo and Fort Erie is right across the river. Fort Erie is where Ed (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=delahed01) was last seen.

[runningshoes]

Can someone explain his death? All I know is he died falling over Niagara Falls.

If he fell into the river at Fort Erie, he was dead long before he went over the falls.

Anyways, I've emailed the Niagara Parks Commission asking them for any photos they have of the bridge and the spot on the bridge where he is likely to have fallen in.

From what I understand, there were very large "gaps" in which it would have been quite easy for anyone, never mind a drunkard, to fall in if trying to cross it in the dark.

I'd love to know what happened to conductor Cole, who should have turned Delehanty (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=delahed01) over to the police rather than simply removing him from the train.

[runningshoes]

This is the bridge Delehanty (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=delahed01) fell from in 1903. Its pedestrian walkway was removed in 1900 to make way for another track. I really can't imagine anyone looking over it and deciding it's the way to end it all.

http://www.ajclay.com/PTC/pictures/149.jpg

This is the bridge as it is today.

http://www.ajclay.com/PTC/pictures/150.jpg

[csh19792001]

This is the bridge Delehanty fell from in 1903. Its pedestrian walkway was removed in 1900 to make way for another track. I really can't imagine anyone looking over it and deciding it's the way to end it all.

This is the bridge as it is today.



VERY interesting stuff, runningshoes (per your usual). :)

My first question is (I assume you've been to this spot) approximately how fast is the current there, and how deep is the water? How far is the bridge where Delahanty (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=delahed01) purportedly fell from the falls themselves?

[csh19792001]

Being a fanatic on the history of baseball I have visited that very sight, the point where Ed (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=delahed01) was asked to leave the train. I live in Buffalo and Fort Erie is right across the river. Fort Erie is where Ed (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=delahed01) was last seen.

And what were your impressions of the site, Joe?

[GhostofGehrig]

I got much more info than I expected. I really appreciate everyone's effort. I'm going to really enjoy this site.

[SHOELESSJOE3]

And what were your impressions of the site, Joe?

I really felt a sense of history. I stood on the Canadian side probably only feet away from where Ed (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=delahed01) was taken off that train. This was where he was last seen, Ed (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=delahed01) was the man, one of the first superstars of the game.


From the news archives, the Atlanta Constitution, July 8,1903.

[The day he (Delahanty (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=delahed01)) left Detroit he had taken out an accident policy to his little daughter. He wrote a note expressing the hope that the train would run off the track.]

Never heard if the above was ever made evident.


From the Buffalo News archives, July 10,1903.

[The body found in the river below the falls (Niagara Falls) was that of Ed Delahanty's (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=delahed01). The body was mangled, one leg torn off presumably by the propeller of the Maid of The Mist near whose landing the body was found.]

For those not familiar with the Maid of The Mist. It is a ship one can take a ride on that gives real good view of the falls, very close. Those who board the ship are given rain gear to ward off the mist that rises as the water comes over the falls.

[runningshoes]

My first question is (I assume you've been to this spot) approximately how fast is the current there, and how deep is the water? How far is the bridge where Delahanty (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=delahed01) purportedly fell from the falls themselves?

I have driven past the bridge several times not knowing the historical significance of it, other than it was built in the 1870’s. You can make the drive from the bridge to the falls along the Niagara Parkway in just under 20 minutes if you’re moving at a good speed; as you can see from the map, the falls are not just a few feet down the river, it’s a good seven or eighth miles.

The bridge is just at the top of the picture on the right.
http://www.ajclay.com/PTC/pictures/151.jpg http://www.ajclay.com/PTC/pictures/155.jpg


http://www.ajclay.com/PTC/pictures/153.jpg

The water moves anywhere from 7 to 12 mph getting as fast as 68 mph by the time it reaches the falls. If you’ve ever driven over the Peace bridge from Buffalo to Fort Erie, you can see the water moving from a height that I’m guessing is anywhere from 100 to 150 feet. The exact depth at the bridge is 12 metres or 41 feet.

[SHOELESSJOE3]

This is the bridge Delehanty (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=delahed01) fell from in 1903. Its pedestrian walkway was removed in 1900 to make way for another track. I really can't imagine anyone looking over it and deciding it's the way to end it all.


It's scary to say the least. Don't know if one can get very far on the bridge today security being what it is today. In a much safer world long ago as a kid,we would walk to the half way point of the bridge. To look over the side made on feel small, very small. The speed of the water at that point was very evident.

I had two friends over the years who fell into the water on the Buffalo side, they were fishing. Don't know if RUNNINGSHOES is familiar with the Ferry street bridge not far from the International Bridge, lots of fishing done there near the edge of the pavement looking over the river. Both bodies were found weeks later, miles away at Niagara Falls. There is no doubt about it, fall into the river near the Ferry Street bridge or the International bridge and you will go over Niagara Falls.

[Brian McKenna]

the peace agreement between the nl and al that was announced 1/10/1903 awarded delahanty (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=delahed01) to washington over mcgraw's objections in new york - highlanders mgr clark griffith (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=griffcl01) later approached nationals mgr tom loftus (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=loftuto01) about a trade for delahanty (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=delahed01) - if it went through - it would have saved his life

[The Kid]

From what I can piece together, this is how Delahanty (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=delahed01) died:

Delahanty's Death

It was July, 1903. Delehanty (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=delahed01), who had been known as a hot tempered Irishman, had boarded a train in the evening. The Philadelphia slugger had gotten drunk and disorderly over the ride. Near Fort Erie, he was kicked off the train by the conductor after pulling up a women's skirt. The conductor stopped the train and kicked Delahanty (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=delahed01) off, just by a train station. Delehanty (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=delahed01) stumbled off into the darkness, angry and drunk.

According to a certian report, a watchman patrolling the bridge by the previousley mention train station, spotted Delahanty (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=delahed01) walking down the bridge about an hour later. The watchmen claimed Delahanty (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=delahed01) was slightly stumbling and appeared to still be some what drunk. The watchman supposedly called out to Delahanty (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=delahed01). Now the big question comes up, as there are three logical choices to how he died. Either Delehanty (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=delahed01) was startled and fell off the bridge and then drowned, ripped off his clothes and jumped, or was pushed off the bridge by the watchman. Either way, his body was found days later, his body mangled and nude, and one of his legs ripped off presumably by a boat, probebly the Maid of the Mist.

[Volcano]

The belief that some people die the way they lived probably holds true here with Ed (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=delahed01). Never mind the drinking or gambling; Ed (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=delahed01), as kind-hearted of a soul I believe he was, was in fact a child. He did not handle his conflicts well, and like a child, sought pity sometimes from anyone who would listen. I believe his "wishes" of his own death and seeking out an accident policy in case of his death was just a way of crying out for help.

I rule out suicide and foul play and tend to believe that through anger and despair he was careless with his life when he fell off the bridge. I want to believe as well that at the moment he hit the water he wanted to live and tried desperately to survive. We'll never know.

I'd give anything to see a film of this man hit the baseball. I don't think any exist though.

[steelcurtain76]

I went to middle school with a Kevin Delehanty that claimed to be a relative of Ed (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=delahed01). This was in the 6th grade (early 1980's) when I found this out. I wish...oh I wish...I would have followed up on that. I'd be curious what I could have found out. I believe him...because at that time, it would have been pretty far fetched for a 6th grader just to pick out Ed Delehanty (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=delahed01) out of a hat and make up a story like that.

[deadball-era-rules]

I've read quite a few different accounts from multiple sources, and by piecing them all together, it seems that what happened was, as was already stated, Delahanty got a bit rowdy on the train so he was taken off of it, but according to some sources I've read, including a report from Hall of Famer Sam Crawford, the train apparently stopped there for a little bit and continued on without Ed. Whether Delahanty was intentionally left behind or not we'll never know, but I find it very unlikely that a ballclub would leave behind the biggest star and most talented man on the roster at the time for any reason, especially for something that would have been seen as so trivial at the time (Many ballplayers were heavy drinkers at the time. Ballplayers were known as a rough crowd back then). Regardless, after the train left Delahanty, none too happy about being left behind and still not thinking or walking too well from the effects of drinking, decided to finish the trip on foot. He started walking across the bridge and was approached by the station conductors. They got into a scuffle and I assume the conductors just decided to let him go to avoid a fight. Delahanty most likely slipped through one of the spaces between the trusses while trying to walk across the bridge and fell in the river. I don't think that the fact that he was found naked points to anything, the current of that river and the power generated by those falls is definitely enough to tears someone's clothes off. I've visited the falls, and just being on the boat makes you feel almost overwhelmed by the immensity of them. I think that's about as complete as the story of Ed Delahanty's death can be, since no one was actually watching the entire time. I have read enough different stories from first-hand accounts that I could piece them together into one complete narrative and that's the best I can do. I hope that helps. If you want a great source on the topic and baseball during that period in general, read "The Glory of Their Times" by Lawrence Ritter. It's my favorite book. Did you know that Ed Delahanty was only one of five brothers to play in the majors?

[Brian McKenna]

, Delahanty got a bit rowdy on the train so he was taken off of it, but according to some sources I've read, including a report from Hall of Famer Sam Crawford, the train apparently stopped there for a little bit and continued on without Ed. Whether Delahanty was intentionally left behind or not we'll never know, but I find it very unlikely that a ballclub would leave behind the biggest star and most talented man on the roster at the time for any reason, especially for something that would have been seen as so trivial at the time

From my readings the drunken Delahanty ditched his friends and took a different train than his club. He was not with Crawford or anyone else. In fact, the conductor or train crew did not even know who he was until finding his luggage at a later time.

[deadball-era-rules]

I never said Crawford was there. Crawford was playing for Detroit and Delahanty for Philadelphia, but Delahanty's death was big news all around the league so Crawford would have heard the story from Delahanty's friends and teammates at one time or another, and it would be more credible since he was in the big leagues at the time, so he was close to the guys who knew him well.
I've never heard a single story that places Delahanty on another train. Do you have any references that state this? I'd just be curious to see it because I've read a lot about it and never heard one iota of evidence suporting that. I'm not downing your story at all, I've just never heard that before and I can't understand how he fell off the bridge if he was on another train.

[Brian McKenna]

I've never heard a single story that places Delahanty on another train. Do you have any references that state this?

Here is my research from before:

http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=68817

I'll have to find my notes though which say he left the club. I am fairly certain though that he left the club and took a different train (note the section titled "Receiving Notice"). That's why no one in D.C. knew where he was. My account is entirely pulled from contemporary newspapers.

[jaxxr]

Still an interesting topic, and despite some time passed,

The actual circumstances of Ed's death are still speculative.

Ed Delahanty's many successes on the diamond masked a troubled personal life marred by gambling and booze. His debts often mounted to the point that "Big Ed" would threaten suicide in the hopes that his teammates would bail him out; at times, even his mother followed him on road trips to make sure he wouldn't kill himself.

On the night of July 2, 1903, a drunken Delahanty finally found a chance to escape the Senators. George Davis had finally been allowed to join the Giants, and Delahanty -- hoping to be afforded the same opportunity -- boarded a train traveling from Detroit to New York.

Eight hours and five shots of whiskey after boarding the train, Delahanty was asked to leave. He had been a nuisance the entire journey, and when he attempted to drag a sleeping woman out of her berth by her ankles the train conductor had decided enough was enough.

So it came to pass that "Big Ed" Delahanty found himself standing on the Canadian side of the International Bridge with the bright lights of Buffalo ahead of him. "You're in Canada," he had been told by the conductor, "so don't make any trouble." "I don't care if I'm in Canada or dead," Delahanty replied. It was an eerily prescient response.

While conducting his rounds, Sam Kingston, the night watchman on the International Bridge, came across Delahanty leaning against one of the iron trusses. Kingston didn't recognize the slugger, even after shining his lantern in his face; when Delahanty became belligerent, the watchman lunged at the stranger in an effort to subdue him. Delahanty ran, and the next thing Kingston heard was a splash in the water some 20 feet below.

Several days Passed before the stranger on the bridge was identified as the great ballplayer Delahanty. Despite being able to hear Delahanty's cries for help, Kingston failed to report the incident until early the next morning. The ensuing investigation turned up few leads; the only evidence as to the man's identity was his hat, which he apparently had dropped on the bridge. Changes in Kingston's story only complicated matters.

The newspapers at first were more concerned with the whereabouts of George Davis, whom McGraw seemed to be hiding from American League officials. The Senators, who had passed over the International Bridge less than an hour after their teammate's fall, had become accustomed to Delahanty's frequent absences. Even Delahanty's wife, Norine, was not terribly worried when he failed to meet her at the train station.

When the story of Delahanty's vanishing first broke, it was assumed that he had jumped to the New York club or was simply laid up somewhere on a long bender. But as the days passed and repeated inquiries turned up nothing, the story assumed a more serious tone.

The connection between Delahanty and the stranger on the bridge was finally made by John K. Bennett, manager for the Pullman Car Company, when he investigated the contents of a dress suitcase and black leather bag sitting unclaimed in his Buffalo office. He found a pair of high-top baseball shoes and a Washington Senators pass book.

On Thursday, July 9, a man's body was found floating in the swirling waters at the base of Niagara Falls by William LeBlond, operator of the popular Maid of the Mist tour boat. The probable connection between Delahanty and the International Bridge incident was now well known, and M.A. Green, a stockholder in the Senators, came from Buffalo to inspect the body. The corpse was terribly disfigured and most of the clothing had apparently been torn off by the fierce waters, but enough characteristics remained for Green to determine that this was indeed his friend Delahanty.

Frank Delahanty, Ed's younger brother and an outfielder for Syracuse in the International League, arrived to observe the body. He questioned how Ed's tie could be in place, yet his diamond tie pin and rings had disappeared. Conducting further investigations of his own, he never could accept Kingston's story.

Frank refused to see how the septuagenarian Kingston had come out on top in a scuffle with the "King of Swat," and even though Kingston asserted that the stranger had wielded a lump of coal as a weapon, there was no coal in the vicinity of the bridge. To add to the intrigue, LeBlond found the body of a local farmer under the same waterfall shortly afterwards, minus 1,500 dollars he had been carrying when he left home.

The mystery of what happened to Ed Delahanty on his never-completed trip from Detroit to New York was never solved. As an angry Frank Delahanty told reporters, "I have some suspicion about how Ed went off that bridge. The poor fellow is dead now, and he can never tell his side of the story, but the others can tell just what they please."

Blame was placed alternately on the railroad company, Ban Johnson, John McGraw and Giants owner John Brush, and on Delahanty's own drinking, gambling and suicidal tendencies. A lawsuit by a destitute Norine Delahanty after the season provided her and her daughter with a mere $5,000 from the railroad company.

[beisbolfiebre]

''dissatisfied because he had to play with Washington''

Aha! I know why he croaked himself!