Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-08-29

The body Of the missing man, Heinrich
Joseph Priller, was found this morning in the
marshes near the mouth Of the big sewer that
empties into the Eastern branch between the
old tollgate and the Jail
The body was found by two gunners who
were looking for black birds. They were a.
tracted to the spot by sickening stencil
that arose from the decaying body.
The grass in the marsh for some
distance around was beaten down.
That, it is thought, was done by the moving Of
the body by the tides that have raised it from
the mud. Word was sent by the gunners
to the Union stock yards Of Ben
nings and through them the police were
informed Of the finding Of the body. Police:
wagon and experienced considerable trouble
in towing the body through the water
to Bennings bridge, where the wagon
was waiting. The body was finally placed in
the wagon and taken TO the morgue, where il
was fully identified a. being the body of the
missing man.
PRMLER's STORY.
Priller, as heretofore published in THE STAR,
came here from Baltimore nearly two weeks
ago and visited his daughter, Mrs. Barbara
Schmidt, No. 1922 North Capitol street. Being
old and intirm he needed constant watching.
week ago Monday when his daughter went
to market she left her father in charge Of q
neighbor with the request that he be kept there
until she returned. In some way he left the
neighbours house and wandered out of the
neighborhood
That was q week ago last Monday. Search
was instituted by his friends and relatives, but
no traces OF the missing man could be found.
That night he was picked up in East Washing
tonby two policemen, and he spent the night In
fho ut fho al ooiu kata i'm,
There his name was given as "Joseph II.
Preller."
SENT TO THE ALxs HOUSE,
The following morning, which was Tuesday,
Sanitary Officer Frank sent the strange old
man to the aims house on the certificate OF DR..
Spriggs. A day or two later priller's SON
in-law called at the station to make
inquiries concerning his father-in-iaw
and he was told that the missing man was in
the almshouse. To the almshouse he went,
only to find that the old man had disappeared
from that institution. He had wandered
away the same as he had from
his daughters house. An account of his dis
appearance was printed in The STAR. mes
sage was sent to the various police stations be-
aims house, notifying the officers to look out
for the missing man.
RENEWING THE SEARCH.
It was then first learned by the officers that
he had left the aims house and this morning
the following was read to the officers:
Lookout for and locate Heinrich J. Priller,
white, eighty-one years old, five feet eight inches
tall, gray side whiskers Wore black suit OF
clothes. Left his home. No. 1922 North Capitol
street. on the 18th instant. If arrested notify
Parker Smith at the above place"
When the body arrived at the morgue today
Policemen Croft and Oliver fully identified it
as being the corpse of the old man who
spent the night in the dodgers room last
week. Word was sent to Mrs. Schmidt notifying
her Of the finding Of the body.
The coroner was notified and an inquest will
probably be held tomorrow.
THE DISAPPEARANCE FROM THE AIMS HOUSE.
Priller, it appears, did not remain in the aims
house over night The police and others
criticize the aims house authorities for not
reporting his disappearance DO that he
could be hunted up. The fact of his
having wandered away was, it ID
stated, concealed from Prillers' relatives by
the authorities at the almshouse. When asked
about the case by sanitary officer at police head
quarters over the telephone the officer in charge
OF the asylum said that two men had been sent
out to look for the old man, but had failed to
find him.
SUPPOSED TO HAVE DIED THAT NIGHT.
1t is supposed from the condition Of the
corpse that death occurred the evening Of bis
disappearance from the almshouse 1t is though.
that he crossed the mouth Of the big sewer
after dark and, not being able to see where he
was going. walked into the marsh. II 10 sup
posed that he was either drowned or died from
exposure and shock caused by being held in
the mud. It is more that likely that death was
caused by drowning.
MR.. sToUTENBURaH ASKED TO EXPLAIN.
No one seems to know anything about the
case Of Priller at the District buildings. Com
missioner Hine said that he had written to In
tendent Stoutenburgh for q report on the case.
II the report was not satisfactory he said he
would cause an investigation to be made.