The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-01-11
Hafbor Boats Crew Sent on a
Fools Errand in the Ice.
HOAX FROM JAMES CREEK
Stories OF How the Police Have
Been Fooled and Given Much
Work .,bs Foolish Persons, Who
Were Found Safe Enough -Friend-
ly warning to Joseph Collins.


look for me-" wrote John Ray on a scrap
of soiIed paper, and then carefully pinned
the note to his coat, which he laid beside
his hat on the river bank. He did not get
the Scriptural quotation exactly correct,
but it was perhaps the best he knew, and
he wanted the World to think Just at that
time that he had committed suicide by
jumping into the Potomac.
The experience the harbor police had last
week in dragging the river bottom for two
days when the thermometer was playing
about the freezing point, and the Officers
Were endeavoring to recover the body of
Joseph Collins, who was supposed to have
been drowned but who turned up high and
dry at Baltimore, serves TO recall similar
instances where other drow men have
been found alive on the shore. ...r.. -
John Roy was one Of these, and his fake
occurred earl last summer. Someone walk
ing along the beach near where the new
Sc wer empties its contents into the peace
ful Potomac, Just below Heurich's brewery,
one forenoon discovered hat and coat
lying upon the sea wall.
"ohe more unfortunate" thought the
finder, as he picked up the garment, and
a tender and affectionate farewell letter
fell out 1t was addressed to the "vic-
TINS" mother, and in pitfui manner re-
lated how her son had tired of life, with
its trials and yicissitudes, and sought a
watery grave II was most pathetic,
Astounding in prayers for forgiveness and
wishes for the happiness OF the remainder
of mankind in general. No name was
signed.
a report of the finding was sent to Har-
Dor Master Sutton. 1t was not long before
the gallant Joe Blackburn was steaming up
the river for the point where the coat
and hat were found. In the afternoon it
began to rain, but that did not deter the
officers from their search, though they
were drenched to the skin
In the coat pocket was found a card
bearing number on Vermont avenue. At
the house Indicated it was learned that
the card had been given to a man named
John Ray, who was to sod the front lawn
next day. Poor John RAY then it was
who was at the bottom or the river, aud
the sad news together with his farewell
message were borne to his mother, W no was
overcome with grief. a. %
Dragging James Greek.
The police continued 70 drag. old boots,
tin cans, oyster baskets and any amount
OF other refuse that is 'Strcwn upon the
river bottom, were brought up in the
dragnet, bat no John Ray. That evening
a barroorn row in BloOdfbeld, South Wash
ington, attracted the attention of a po-
liceman, and the first Ipans to greet him
upon his entrance was John Ray, well
known to the members OF the force. And
H. ,I5, Hfu
freedom on q jag and the workiiouse.
Two or three years ago worn was sent to
headquarters man had teen drowned
in James Greek, some distance above the
X street bridge. and the harbor police were
sent to drag that famous waterway.
There were no boats upon that part OF
the stream, and it was necessary to load
a skiff on a dray and carry it to the spot
where the man was supposed To have gone
down.
All day long the officers dragged about.
over a small space. for the body OF Bud
Clements, q notorious character OF the
West End, supposed TO be furnishing food
for the fishes that have so far lost their
Self-reSpect as to swim in James Greek.
After a couple OF hours of dragging, and
nothing could be found OF Bud" the
officers concluded that if he had gone to
the bottom the finny creatures had done
remarkably well to make way with one so
tough as Bud in so short space OF
time, but they dragged YEARLY on until
night.
When Capt. Sutton had driven part way
home burIy voice hailed him from the
sidewalk, and turning around. there stood
q Bud his face wreathed in smiles, as he
said:
Say, Cap hears you'se dun drag
ging de Creak 70 me. Use jes' want fer to
tells yoh amt dar Dis heah is me. Does
/ look lax Use dun drounded?'
Another instance occurred some years
ago, when the City of Richmond, which ran
to down -the-river points, collided just be-
low Arsenal Point with a small steamer. on
the bow OF the latter d colored man was
standing. taking reef in sail.
When the collision came ne fell overheard,
and there was great excitement. A dozen
or more people were willing to take Oaths
pointed out to the crew of the Blackburn
the exact spot. About an hour after the
dragging began UP came tue Columbia from
Alexandria. and on the upper deck stood a
colored man, wildly waving his hat at
the men who were dragging the river.
Not With the Fish.
Deed, boss, here 1 is; 1 amt down