The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-08-23
LOCAL MATTERS.
RECOVERY OF Tun BoDy OF EpwAF

| RECOVERY OF THE BODY OF EDWARD
ID. SWEETMAN.-The comm ttee sent out
by the Virginia Lodge No. 2, Knights Of
Pythias, consisting of Messrs. John d. Red
ford, r. L. Knowles, II. Fefteret, Charles
Clinely, and E. p. Uuce, to search for the
body Of Edward D. Sweetman, who jumped
overheard from the steamer John
Sylvester on Tuesday night, were
yesterday about ten O'Clock rewarded
with success. The body was found
floating in the water near the bank at
Chaifin's Bluff. These gentlemen had been
untiring in the search, both on shore and
in the river, for their unfortunate brother.
They made . hasty examination oil the
body, when it was fully identified as that OF
Mr.. Swectman. II was horribly bruised
and mangled, apparently by the wheel of
the boat. ,..,-a.r.. :. = ua...a..au
A box was hastily prepared with the aid
OF carpenter who was found in the
vicinity into which the remains were placed,
and subsequently brought to the city in
market cart. Mr.. Sweetman's father, who
resides in Montgomery county, having
been notified Of the dreadful fate of his son,
arrived in the city yesterday evening just
as the cart containing the corpse passed up
Main street. r1i& 1911 ~ I..r'
( The body was taken to Binford's, on
Franklin street, where it remained all night.
Coroner Taylor summoned Jury and
held an inquest at % O'Clock this morning.
Several witnesses were examined. TIE
most important testimony in the case was
that given by Mr.. Valentine Heckler, Jr.,
of Henrico county, and j. II. Blummelein,
of this city, who were eye-witnesses of the
fatal occurrence. The former gentleman
saw Sweetinan get up on the railing of the
boat near the forward gangway. Here he
pulled off his coat and asked witness to
hold it for him. He then let himself down
on the lower outside guard, holding to the
railing with his left hand and soon sat
down on the guard. In about three min
utes witness saw him jump into the water.
There was no lureh of the boat by which
he could have been precipitated overheard,
nor was he pushed over. by any other
means. Witness Immediately went aft of
the wheel-house, and distinctly saw de-
ceased after the wheel had passed over
him. ..4- g..... ASH .,.r-rs. .,r-E Il
Mr.. Blummelein saw Sweetman sitting
on the outside guard as described by MIR.
Heckler; did not know him at first, but
on speaking to him, he looked up; said to
him, 8 Ned, you had better come out of
that, it is q very dangerous place to sit )"
said this to him two or three times de-
ceased said, 81 am all right, jake" he
then raised from his sitting posture and
placed his foot and leg under him, and sat
down again; he then looked up at witness
and said, Jake, / am going ashore" and
sprung into the water witness saw him in
the water and thought he was in the act Of
swimming is of the1opinion that DECEASED
jumped in withthe intention DISSEMINATING
ashore witness went aft of the wheel
house, but saw nothing of the deceased.
+ The fact was established by other
witnesses that Mr.. Sweetman was an ex-
pert swimmer and diver, and that he was
fond of displaying his skill.
The jury, after. a brief demonstration rem
dered a verdict that deceased came to his.
death by accidental drowning, s..,-..... q, .,,