Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-09-08
MUSTERED OUT BY DEATH
Members of Company A. 10Th Pennsylvania
Regiment, Drowned in Potomac.
Privates Coffee and Greener the Vic
tfIns-COrpornIs sc omeaware of COM
pany n Narrowly Escapes.

Harry Coffee and John Greener of Com
pany A, 18th Pennsylv ania Volunteers, were
drowned yesterday afternoon in the river
between Fort Washington and Sheridan
Point. A number, of their companions at
the fort witnessed thep drowning, but were
unable to render assistance. Corporal
Gomsaware of Company X, stationed at
Sheridan Point, who was In the boat with
them, was saved. The sad accident was
the result of the up.ettins of the boat dur
ing a severe wind storm. There was
desperate struggle for life following the
upsetting of the boat, but the two men
were unable to reach shore in safety.
Privates Coffee and Greener had been in
Washington during the day, and had come
down to Sheridan Point on the eiectrlc
cars Private Frederick Stsdacene, who
was with them, remained at the hospital TO
psy a call on Adjutant Hopkinson, who is
sick This sick call delayed Stadacene
and probably saved his life. The men who
were drowned lived in Erie. Pao ana were
in the railroad business. Gomez, VINO
leaves a widow and one child, was among
the first to respond to the call for volun-
teers and was greatly disappointed in not
being able to get to the front. Greener
was a single man, but was to have been
married this fall.
Fastening to Meet Roll Call.
When the unfortunate men reached Sher-
idan Point yesterday afternoon Corporal
GomEaware started across the river with
them in a small boat in order to get them
there in time to answer roll call. Soon after
leaving the point they were caught in
squat and the boat was upset, throwing
the three men into the river. Private
Greener grabbed an oar and made an eff
fort to paddle ashore, but the gale was TOO
strong for him and he soon went down.
Corporal Gomgaware managed to cling to
tho side of the boat and drifted partly
across the river, while Coffee made an ef-
fort to swim across to the fort Mr. Jones,
the lighthouse keeper, who witnessed the
upsetting of the boat, sent a colored man
named John Freeman out in a small cra1t
to assist the men in the water. Freeman
succeeded in rescuing the corporal and was
within few feet Of Private Coffee when
the latters strength gave out and he dis
appeared. Coffee was then near the marsh
on this side, Of the river, and had his
strength held out a little longer he would
have been able to wade ashore. 1t is be-
lieved he was prevented from coming to
the surface of the water by becoming en-
tangled in the grass.
Police Boat Crew Summoned.
AS soon Captain Sterrett heard what
ter, requesting the services of the crew
of the police boat. About an hour after
the sending of the message Harbormastef
Sutton arrived at the scene and had his
crew dragging for the bodies. About sun
down the crew abandoned the search and
returned to the city! A number of the
members Of Company A remained in charge
Of the work and continued dragging the
river until late hour at night. Early this
morning the police boat returned from
Washington and resumed the work. 1t is
hoped by the members of the company that
the bodies will be recovered before the
company starts for Camp Meade Middle
town, Pa, it having orders to leave to-
morrow morning. Should the bodies not be
recovered today Captain Sterrett will prob
ably leave detail to take charge of the
bodies when they are recovered.
Private Coffee had been speaking to his
companions about his expected return home
short time before he got III the boat
About his last remark was, What a nice
time I'll have when l get home to my wife
and baby