Evening star., 1896-09-11
His Body Found in a Rocky Ravine
Above Georgetown.
NO SIGNS OF SUICIDE
Well : Known Member of t
Marine Band.
Of the
FU N E r Al Sc ER &c E S

United States marine corps, was found late
yesterday afternoon in a deep ravine in the
vicinity of hotel conducted by Mr.. Charles
o. Brill, on the Conduit road, about five
miles from this city. Mr.. Gebicke was
missing since Thursday, September 3. and
the remains were found by Mr.. Brill. Abb
solutely no indication Of suicide has ap-
peared, while there is every reason to be-
lieve that death was due to exposure to the
weather at a time when the physical con-
dit,on Of Mr.. Gebicke was weak and sus-
ceptible.
The deceased left his home on the after
noon mentioned. and his family were ig-
norant OF his whereabouts or condition un-
til informed of the finding of the body last
evening. The police were also unaware Of
the disappearance until day or two ago.
Mrs. Brill, the wife of the hotel keeper,
lead newspaper report yesterday of the
disappearance of the bandsman, and it
proved Of unusual interest, for the reason
that Mr.. Brill and Mr.. Gebicke were good
friends, and the latter frequently visited
the hotel. Mrs. Brill informed her hus-
band of the reported disappearance, and
from the harkeeper 1t was learned that Ge-
blcke was last seen at the hotel on the
afternoon Of the Sd instant. On that oc-
casion. 1t afterward occurred to Mr.. Brill,
he had lunched with Mr.. Gebicke and the
visitor had eaten four raw reed birds. He
had also been drinking to considerable
cAtcut Ou leGNlnS motel Mr.. GeD1Cke
walked In the direction of the Potomac
river. explaining that he was going for a
swim. That was the last seen of him alive.
The Body Found.
After receiving this information, Mr.
Brill yesterday started In the direc ton
taken by Mr.. Gebicke, fully expecting that
he had been drowned. After proceeding
about five hundred yards. Mr.. Brill wa 9
Mortified upon seeing the dead body of his
friend resting on some rocks in deep, Sc
cluded ravine between the canal and the
tracks of the electric railway. 1t was evi-
dent that the man had been dead fully a
| week. for the body had been somewhat t
mutilatcd by insects and hogs.
Mr.. Brill at once notified the sheriff and
coroner OF the county. and also Capt. F.. H.
Harrington of the marine corps. After an
investigation, the sheriff decided that an
inquest was unnecessary, making it of rec
ord that Louis Gebicke died by the vista
ton OF God In natural way, and not 9TH
erwise.' With the exception of three one
dollar bills. nothing of value or Importance
or in explanation of the death of Mr. Ge-
bicke was discovered.
At the direction OF Capt. Harrington.
Lieut.. Shaw and Drum Major Martin yis-
tied the fatal spot. and the body was
turned over to them by the coroner Of
montgomery county. Capt. Harringto ON,
with Cndertaker Boteler. later went after
the body. and it was taken to the under
takers establishment on Sth street south
east, directly opposite the marine barracks
The weekly concert Of the Marine Band
was IT. progress at the barracks when the
announcement of the finding of the body
was made. The concert was Immediately
discontinued out Of respect to the deceased
Inc news caused general sorrow at the
barracks, where MIR. Gebicke was much
liked.
The Bercnved Home.
Mrs. Gebicke was almost heart-broken
when the sad tidings were borne to her.
She had been in a high state of nervous
excitement for eight days, owing to the
unexplained absence of her husband, and
the fact that he was dead proved a de-
cidedly hard blow. Many friends visited
the distressed widow last evening and to-
day at her residence, 21O F street north
east. and endeavored to comfort her and
her six young children. far as possible
According to Mrs. Gebicke, her husband
had been disconsolate for some time and
especially SO since he was deposed as as
slstdnt leader of the band A week ago
| last Wednesday Mr.. Gebicke returned to
his home at the conclusion of the band
concert at the Capitol. and remarked to his
wife, My heart is broken" He would say
nothing more Mrs. Gebicke never for q
moment entertained an idea that her hus-
band had committed suicide.
Prof. Fanciulh, the leader Of the Marine
Band, expressed to Star reporter deep re-
gret at the death of Mr.. Gebicke In re-
gard to depcsing hun from the assistan;
| leadership of the band. Prof. Fanciulli ex-
planned that during the concert at the Cap.
itol Wednesday before last Gebicke appear
ed to be under the influence of liquor He
made several mistakes and was reproved
| by the leader. After the concert Gebicke
left ard failed to report the next day and
thereafter. Prof. Fanciulli declares that he
was never unjust to Gebicke in any way.
The Dead Man.
The deceased was thirty-three years
| of age and was powerfully built man. He
was a native of Frankhausen, Germany,
and had been in this country fourteen
years In Germany he was member OF
| Efhurt's military band, and in America
| Joined Gilmore's celebrated organization
| At the request Of Prof. Sousa he joined the
Marine Band seven years ago. but, becom.
| ing dissatisfied. he left and played with
some local bands, finally securing an ap-
| pointment on the police fcrce. When Prof
| Fanciulli took charge Of the Marine Band
Gebicke returned to the ranks, and by mis-
| skill and ability as a musician arose to be
| the assistant leader. Shortly after, having
| trouble with the leader, he requested his
discharge, but this was refused. He was a
member Of the Police Relief Association, the
Eastern Athletic Club and the Columbia
Athletic Club, his jovial disposition win
ming him large circle of acquaintances.
No marks Of violence or Indications of
suicide could be found on the body by the
undertaken, who made a careful examina-
| tion. Owing to the decomposed condition
Of the remains they were taken to Congress
SIGNAL cemetery by the undertaken this
| morning and placed in a grave. The latter
will not be closed, however, until o'clock
| this afternoon, when funeral services are
| to be held.
Funeral Services.
| Capt. Harrington has determined that
| the body shall be laid to rest with proper
honors. The full Marine Band and the en-
tire command quartered at the Marine bar
racks has been ordered to assemble at $3.50
| o'clock. The marines are to parade with
side arms only. and will proceed to the
cemetery under command of non-com-
missioned officer. At the grave the band
will render appropriate selections and a
firing party of sixteen, commanded by a
| sergeant. will discharge the customary
number OF volleys over the grave. The
| chaplain Of the corps being absent on
| leave. an effort was made this afternoon
| to have the pastor Of the church of which
| Mrs. Gebicke Is a member officiate. Should
| this plan for any reason not be carried out
| Capt. Harrington will detail a commission
l ed officer Of the corps to read the burial
| service.
| Capt. Harrington has been very active
in seeing that the caring for the body and
the funeral were properly carried out,