Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-10-05
THE CANADAY TRAGEDY.
some circumstances Lead to the Belief That
He Did Not Commit Suicide.


Notwithstanding the verdict of the coroner s
jury there are not a few people who believe
that the late Col. Canaday did not commit
suicide. Yet. SO far as can be learned
none Of them care to state who, il
not the dead man, did fire the
shot which caused DEATH Nor do they advance
any tangible theory as to the motive which, il
the deceased did not die by his own hand.
prompted the act Of the unknown party
or parties. These people merely shake
their heads when the idea of suicide is men,
toned, but decline to make known the grounds
upon which they base then doubt beyond the
bare statement that the position of the BODY,
when first discovered, was not that Of a sui
eide.
MRS. WILLIAMS DON'T BELIEVE THE SUICIDE
STORY.
Mrs. Jennie Williams, the sister of the dead
man, who came here last Sunday from her
home in Columbus, Ohio, would not for
an instant believe that her brother died
by his own act She stated that
her brother was not such a man, no matter how
great his troubles, as to take his own life. Mrs.
Williams left for her home this morning. but
YESTERDAY she had conference with
the police officials who are engaged
on the case ard also one with DIR. J. S. Harri-
son of No. 7ls 10th street. the first physician
who reached and examined the body.
After this conference, particularly after
she had heard the statement of DIR.
Harrison and that of Policeman Henry Gilbert.
the first person to reach the body, Mrs. Will
Jams became more convinced than ever before
that her brothers death was not due to sui
eide. and the almost prostrated woman left for
home Arm in her belief.
WHAT DIR. HARRISON SAYS.
Strange to say. DR.. Harrison was not sum-
moned to appear before the coroner's jury. but
he was seen this morning by a reporter Of THE
STAR, to whom he said that while he did not
care to express any opinion for publica-
tion, he would have liked to have had an op-
portunity of appearing before the coroner's
jury and describing what he considered most
remarkably composed position for one who had
died by violence.
when | reached Col Canaday's BODY" ex-
planned DR.. Harrison, Il found il living on its
back at full length on narrow cot in an easy.
composed position. The left arm was thrown
across the body, while the right one was
stretched out beside the body, the pistol being
held in the right hand. The man was dead
when l reached the scene | discovered that
the hair about the bullet hole, which was just
above and back of the right ear, was slightly
slnged by the explosion of the pistol"
WON'T EXPRESS AN OPINION.
"Doctor," interrupted the reporter. "do you
believe that Col. Canaday killed himseif!''
''As to that" replied the doctor, Il de-
cline to express an opinion unless required
to do so before some judicial in
quiry. But l will say this. however: /
don't see how it is possible for suicide to be
found in such an easy, composed position.
That is. one who died as Col. Canaday is sup
posed to have died.
"Now," remarked DR. Harrison. That is all
Sly m he t.er nj IN,
put whatever construction upon it you may see
fit"
DR.. Harrison further said that he supposed
he saw the BODY of Col. Canaday
IN precisely the same position
in which it was discovered bv Police
been arranged in the composed position in
which he saw it by the officer.
OFFICER GILBERr's STATEMENT.
Offcer Gilbert. however. stated to the re-
porter that the body was seen by DR. Harrison
in exactly the same position in which he (Gil-
bert, found it. The officer said that the
left foos was thrown over the right bat
that while the pistol was lightly clasped
in the right hand no finger pressed against the
trigger: the weapon lying against the right
thiSh. the butt living in the half closed hand
When he reached the body there was quite a
strong pulse ard the pistol was still
"aiH iioh iAe eNIloSlOu. ne also sald ne
failed TO see any singeIng of The hair. and sup
posed that was due to the fact thai the muzzle
of the pistol was held close TO the h cad
Officer Gilbert stated that b. was somewhat
surprised 10 find the body living in an easy
natural position. and in view of ,he narrowness
of The cot could not understand WHY the riah.
arm had not fallen over the side of
the cot. But in view of the fact that
the door and windows OF the room were loc ked
on the inside Officer Gilbert is firmly convinced
that Col. Canaday died By his own hand. and
that belief. il is said still the opinion of the
other police officers engaged on the case.