The morning call., 1892-06-25

sages from Shakespeare and other dramat-
lists. His last quotation on earth was a
translation from KlingueI's new German
play, Louis ii, the Crazy King OF Ba-
varia."
THE SPECTATORS.
His audience at the moment were his
friend, William Brooks; a German, who
had translated the passage into English for
him, and Mr.. Hansen, miner, who had
casually happened along. Hansen, observ-
ing that Rogers remained under the surface
rather too long, called to Brooks and asked
him where his friend was. There being no 3
sign Of the batter, Brooks asked Hansen to
keep watch for q moment while he ran
across the sand dunes to alarm the crew OF
the lfe-saving station. Captain Henry Ii.
Smith, In command, Immediately ran back
with Brooks down 10 the beach, followed by
several members Of bis crew. But there W as
no sign, as far as the vision could extend
seward, of the drowned or drowning man,
He had been swallowed up as completely as
though earth had devoured him. Brooks
was deeply agitated over the occurrence,
but nothing could be done toward the rescue
OF his friend, for there was nothing in sight
to rescue. For long time the eyes OF those
on the beach remained eagerly fixed on the
scene OF the tragedy. They saw no trace,
however, Of the young EugliSbman, and
heard nothing but the requiem OF the waters
that had closed over his life. When the sun
went down his body was stu unrecovered
SCENE OF THE DROWNING.
The drowning occurred on the Golden
Gate Park beach front, about half a mile
south of the Cliff House. This particular
part of the shore is hidden from the life
boat station by the high park fence, carriage
she'd and park observatory.
Or Rogers but little could be learned.
Nobody Ia the vicinity seemed to know any,
thing about his history. About five weeks
ago. according to the story of Captain
Kr0ger, keeper of a hotel and restaurant
opposite the Ocean Beach Railroad depot
Rogers turned up at Ocean Beach friendless
and penniless lie described him as about
26 years of age, smooth shaven, ruddy
c0untenance, large nose, dark hair. and
brown eyes. and an inveterate cigarette
smoker. lie said he was apparently we'll
educated man, and was of iovtal DISPOSE
ton notwithstanding his condition. Rogers
fell III with Mr.. Brooks, who was boarding
at Kroger's hotel. The two having similar
tastes became very close companions
Brooks is a German University man and
having some means, continued TO pay for
Rogers board and furnish him with little
spending money besides. Brooks played
on the melodian and Rogers sang. They
took strOlls on the beach together. They
joined in the same literary studies. Rogers
wrote poems from memory for Brooks and
Brooks translated German poems into
English for Rogers.
WHO IS RoGERs2
Strange to say, when Brooks was ap-
preached yesterday, though willing TO tell
all he knew. he could give very little in
formation in regard to his friends history
He had only known him five weeks, and
during that period Rogers had never dis
closed the names of his relatives nor where
he lived in this city. He thought that
Rogers had resided in San Francisco about
seven years, but he could only indulge in a
surmlse as TO his occupation, which he be-
lieved to be III some way connected with the
theaterS, either as a chorus man or a super
numerary lie sand that Rogers had said
once that his mother. who was wealthy, re-
sided in London, and that his father was in
New Y ork. Rogers also claimed to be in
receipt OF small sum annually from his
mother. Captain Kr0ger also stated that
Rogers visited this city on Thursday morn
ing to look for letters or kilograms In regard
10 expected TemittanceS and that he re-
turned to Ocean Beach in the afternoon dis
appointed on this score.
A GOOD SWIMMER
Mr.. Brooks account of the drowning OF
his friend included only few details. Rog-
ers. he said. often talked about his being a
good swimmer. having had considerable
practice in the Isle Of Wight, off the English
coast. He frequently expressed q desire to
take a swim III the surf at Ocean Beach,
He often asked Brooks if he would not 20
into the water. but Brooks being somewhat
of an invalid, always declined. Yesterday
morning they had an early breakfast as
Rogers the night before annouced his inten-
ton to take an early swim, Together they
sirolled along the beach, Rogers carving
bathing suit which he had borrowed from
Mrs. Kroger When he began to strip for
the plunge he bantered Brooks 10 Join him
IN tile water, but Brooks could not be per-
suaded.
THE FATAL PLUNGE.
In few minutes Rogers skipped into the
water and took a header into the first
breaker. He quoted poetry in a loud voice
as he gleefully shouted 10 mis- friend About
this time the third man, Hansen, came along
ana stopped TO look at Rogers aquatic
antics. He heard the batller shout. "Da-
yaria, thy king salutes thee" aud then
heard no more. He had apparently taken
another plunge. HIS not coming up after
full minute had elapsed was first noticed by
Hansen, who was stranger TO Brooks.
The two men were 30 feet apart at least.
Brooks was still looking on, suspectiag no
danger at the time Hansen startled him
with the question, where is your friend ?"
Brooks turned very pale as they looked in
vain for the bather. He's been carried
out" shouted Hansen. an run to the life
service station" replied Brooks Within
VI
his men were at the waters edge, but it was
all Of no avail.
To reach the life-saving station Brooks
had TO run up quite stretch of beach, pass
around fence and tumble over a number
of sand dunes before he could descend into
the hollow, where lay concealed the life
saving station.
THE AWFUL UNDERTow.
Captain Smith says that he believes
Rogers was carried out by an undeTtOw.
As the sand always shifts at this point and
great holes are formed close in. it Is the
most dangerous place in the whole vicinity
for bathers. Captain Smith, who Is good
swimmer, said that under no temptation
would he trust himself in the water at this
point without a life-preseIver. He further
says that he has warned strangers OF the
danger of attempting to battle along the
shore in front Of his station, but that inva-
riably he is met by jibes and abuse as
reward for his zeal in behalf of others.
A MYSTERY TO BE SOLVED.
Inquiry last night at all the theaters failed
to develop the identity OF the unfortunate
man Rogers with any person of the same
name engaged as actor or supernumerary.
One Of the name who works in the AleaZar
is tall man, while the Rogers who was
drowned is only about 81 feet in height.
The AlcsZar Rogers was also seen alive at 3
o'clock yesterday afternoon, so speculation
in regard to his fate Is out Of the question.
The suppOslton is that the man drowned
worked around the theaters under assumed
names. but owing to the fact that men who
act as supers form considerable army that
come and go continually, and that but little
attention is paid to their personal appear
ance or characteristics it is exceedingly
difficult to fix their identity with any given
description. The nearest approach of a
person to the description OF the drowned
man was found at the Alcazar, where sew
eral weeks ago a super Of his size and CON-
plexion was employed. Nobody, however,
could recall his name. His nickname, how