The morning times., 1896-08-13

Tie police boat Joe Blackburn cruised
up and down the harbor last night looking
for a bugeye, commanded by one, Capt
Charles Bryan. The craft was not sighted,
but it she had been the captain would
have had to explain story told the police
by colored lad, which is incredibly heart
less.
The lad is Clarence Loeffler, fifteen years
Old, who says he was severely bruised by
an explosion of a gasoline stove on board
the boat, yesterday morning, then heart
Iessly thrown overheard by the captain
and left to reach land as best he could.
Young Loeffler, who resides at 43 p
street northeast, has been In the employ
OF the lexington House at Colonial Beach
for some time past. Two days ago Capt
Bryan reached that place on his way to
Washington, his cargo being watermeIons
which he had shipped at Maddox Creek,
va He needed cook and young Loetfer
offered his services and was engaged.
EVERYTHING ran smoothly until the boat
was within about three miles of indian
Head. at $50 O'Clock, yesterday morning.
THREW HIM OVERHEARD.
The food on the boat is cookedon a gasoline
stove, and Loeffler was arranging the stove
preparatory to getting breakfast for the
crew The captain was standing near by,
watching the proceedings, when suddenly
the gasoline stove exploded, setting fire
toLoeffIer's clothing and to the de OK around.
The boy declares in all his statements
that he started toward the cabin for a
blanket, in order that he might wrap it
Ii hnS ottf a
but before he could reach the cabin he felt
the strong arms of Bryan fastening around
him, and before he could offer any resist
anne he had been hurled with great rio-
lence from the deck into the water.
AS he rose TO the surface he saw the boat
making no attempt to tack and come to his
rescue On the contrary, 1t had moved
conslde rable distance away His cries
and appeals were Of no avail, for neither
the captain nor any of the crew made the
slightest move to come to his aid.
BRAvELY STRUGGLED ASHORE.
The water made his burns smart intensely
and the pain was almost unbearable, but
he had presence of mind to strike out for
the shore. The swim. under ordinary cir
cumstances. would have been an easy one
for the lad as he is at home a tie water,
but the burns on his arms and legs. aggra-
waited by the motions of swimming, made
the task a most arduous and painful one.
He finally managed to scramble on to the
bank, three miles below Indian Head
He started to walk to Indian Head When
he reached there. Lieut. Mason took him
in charge, dressing the wounds as best
he could, and doing everything in his
power for the comfort of the boy.
When the steamer River Queen reach
ed Ipdian He ad at IL O'Clock, on its
trip. the lieutenant PLACED young Loeffler
aboard the boat. at the same time send
ing a letter to the river police. Informing e
them of facts In the case. and one to
Mr. E s. Fenwick of the Marshall Hall
line of steamers. asking him to look after
the welfare OF Loeffler and have him sent
to hospital.
TAKEN TO THE HosPITAL.
When the River Queen arrived at the
wharf at half pa st three the ambulance was
in waiting and Immediately conveyed
Loefrler to the Emergency Hospital, where
his wounds were attended to by DR.. West.
1t was discovered that he had been burned
on the feet and legs and on the right hand.
Harbormaster Sutton at once sent the
police boat down the river to intercept
Capt. Bryan, but as they could not learn
the name of the boat, they returned after
an Intellectual hunt.