Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-09-25
HIS BODY NOT FOUND
Still Dragging for the Remains Of James
Rodgers.
How He Met His Death by Being Run
Down by a Tdsboat-Escape of
His Companions.

Larry TINS morning tne police boat Joe
Blackburn and number of small boats
were out on the river in sight of the ar
senal. The members Of the crew of the police
boat as well as the occupants Of the other
boats, were making . careful search of the
bed Of the river for the body Of James Mel
Rodgers. a colored man. who was drowned
yesterday afternoon. Rodgers death was
the result Of an unfortunate accident which
his friends think should be investigated.
There were four men in a boat fishing in
the navy yard channel, and a coal barge,
being pushed by a tug, struck the small
craft with such force that it was upset and
its occupants thrown in the river. Rodgers
being the only one whose life was lost.
Conrad Schwab, the baker at 1911 H street
northwest; his son George, and Rodgers and
his son Allan were In the boat at the time
Of the fatal occurrence.
The four men had their lines in the water
and were enjoying an afternoons fishing,
when the tug Gilmore Meredith, Capt Ross,
came up the river. pushing two coal barges
OF the Consolidation Coal Company Of Bal
timore.
When the tug and barges were within
several hundred feet of the fishermen Mr..
Schwab suggested that they move toward
"Oh. no." said Rodgers, 1.-THE boats will
pass on the outside"
Run Down by the Tug.
But George Schwab thought there was
danger and he started to lift anchor His
father was in the stern Of the boat and he
had started to get up when the end Of the
coal barge struck him and knocked him
overheard. Just then the boat upset and
the other three occupants went overheard.
Exactly how long they were in the river is
not known, but to them 1t seemed as II
a. nndQr f,rllV ha,,
They were under the barges, and Mr..
Schwab ST., was tossed about in the water
uLtil the barges had torn his clothing from
him and bruised him considerably. When
one boat had passed over him and he rose
to the surface 1t was only to give him
another dose Of being tossed about and
bruised. James, or "Jim,' Rodgers, as he
was Familiarity called, had also been under
he called to one OF his unfortunate COM
panions, George, take care of yourself
Capt. Ross, seeing what had happened,
lost no time in stopping the tug and barges
en-. Two boys in a boat also came to their
assistance.
James Rodgers was the only one of the
PARTY who was lost. His companions were
satisfied that he had been injured by the
barges, for he was an excellent swimmer
and would undoubtedly have reached place
of safety had not some injury been inflicted.
Think There Should He an Investiga-
ton.
The fishermen claim that they were not
In the Washington channel at the time of
the accident. but that their boat was on the
edge Of the flats. and they were fishing in
the navy yard channel According to their
idea Of affairs they were where they had a
perfect right to be. and Rodgers friends are
anxious that the circumstances of his death
should be given ventilation by the proper
authorities. -.
Jim Rodgers was one Of the best known
colored men in this city, having been sexton
OF the New York Avenue Presbyterian
Church for many years. He was an expert
with the rod and gun, and among persons
fond or these sports heihad many friends,
including several Senators and members.
He had made many trips on the river and
IN the country with lawyer Campbell Car
rlngton, who was particularly fond of him.
and the sad occurrence of yesterday was a
great shock to the lawyer. MIR. Darlington,
upon hearing the sad news, communicated
with number of river men. and offered a
reward for the recovery of his body. A rela-
tive OF the dead man will also pay for the
recovery of his body.