Evening star., 1897-05-04
YOUNG MAN DROWNED
John Perkins the Victim of an
Accident.
IN rHE CURRENT
His Companion Ran Away and
Left Him.
DRAGGING THE RIV Err

A sad accident happened about II O'Clock
this morning near 9th and d streets, only
short distance from the Crawford Paving
Company's works, which resulted in the
drowning of John Perkins, a. young white
boy. He was endeavoring to catch drift
wood at the time, and leaning too far over
the side of the stone scow, he lost his bal
ance and fell in the water. The recent
heavy rains had caused a swollen stream,
and the current was so swift that rescue
was almost impossible. Another boy was
with him at the time. and he was so thor
oughly frightened that ne ran all the way
he me. and then declared he mad not been
rear the water. His denial only caused
trouble. and left the boys identity in
doubt so much longer But the men at the
wharf had seen him, and as ne had rot
returned home to dinner no doubt of his
identity existed in the mind of the boys
mother. and almost craZed with grief she
LETT her home at No. 946 18th street and
boy.
Warned Often.
johnnie was sixteen years old, and was
very fond of being about the river. Some
times he would fish. and at other times he
would watch fishermen in the boats, salts
tying himself with playing in the water
or catching drift wood. Last night Mrs
Perkins and her daughter both dreamed
OF seeing the boy in the water. Mrs. Per-
kns does not attach much significance to
dreams ordinarily, but last nights dream
made such an impression on her that this
morning she advised Johnnie not to 20 near
the water. But Johnnie, who was out
OF employment and with no means of
amusement other than being about the
river, did not take his mothers advice
but went with his companion.
He was seen standing on some drift trash
that had been jammed in between two boats
and was warned to get ashore. Later he
moved down the shore some distance, and,
with his companion, went out on a stone
scow. in order to get where he could reach
some of the drift wood. Again he was
warned of his danger, and the man who
warned him told him he might fall over
board and get drowned.
Il don't care If l do" he is reported to
have said. IF / am drowned you won't
have to bury me-"
In the River.
A few minutes later men employed about
the paving company's works noticed cne of
the two boys running away, and then they
saw his companion in the water. He was
in sight Of a score or more of men, but be-
cause Of the terrific current in the river
they were powerless to help him. George
w. Lang, foreman of the paving company S
but the boy was too far out in the stream.
There was boat nearby. but there were
no oars in 1t, and while Mr.. Lang was
making an effort to get the oars the boy
was washed away. All this time the drown
ing boy was seen In the river by the men
who were at work. They saw him go under
twice and then come to the surface but
the third time he went under he remained
and they then knew that he was drowned
1t was too late to do anything other than
recover the dead boy, and for this pur-
pose the police were called to make an in
vestigation.
Sergt. Keefe ard Policemen Britt and
Hanley were soon at the river front
Workmen about there told the police what
they knew, and while the police thoug II
the drowned boy was Johnnie Perkins
there was no one about there who had seen
him and could identify him. The boy wore
a sweater. gray trousers and cap. just the
kind of clothes worn away from home by
Perkins, and one boy said he had seen
rim with the boy who ran away
message was sent to the harbor master
and the police boat Joe Blackburn was
soon on its way to the scene of the drown
ing. The members of the boats crew start
ed to drag for the body, which they found
extremely difficult because of swift cur
rent and deep water. Men employed about
the paving company's works say 1t is re-
markable that there are not more boys
drowned in the river in that section, for
they play about the waters edge SO much
and are very careless.