Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-05-12
DOWNING A. SUICIDE
CONTINUED from First Page)

woman who supposed to have been
primarily the cause of his arrest and con-
finement. ~
1t was stated this morning that Downing
had been seen within the last two weeks
several times near 1he arsenal barracks
and had talked with a number of persons
down there. There is saloon on the cor
ner of Az and o streets southwest and he
had been in there several times drinking
with the men hanging about. 1t is thought
that he might have had an idea Of finding
out something about the troops at the bar
racks and something about the place For
some time nobody has been allowed to en-
ter the barracks grounds without express
permission or on stating that they had ex-
plicit business in there. So Downing, So
far as Is known, never gained admittance
Chief Wifkie Surprised.
Chief Wilkie Of the secret service bureau
was greatly surprised this morning when
he heard of the suicide.
THAT settles the discussion" he said to
Star reporter, 'as to whether it was con-
stitutional to try the man by court-ma rtial
or as private citizen
1t not known at the War DEPART
| ment that Downing had killed himself I'M
til some time after the suicide had taken
place. 1t was even stated that the matter
of whether he would be tried by court
martial or not had been referred to the Of
flee Of the Attorney General There how
ever, it was stated that no order had been
received to investigate the case as to its
legal requirements. 1t is thought that
Downing was something of a white ele-
plant in the hands of the officials as con-
siderable discussion had arisen about it.
and it would probably have taken some
time to decide whether the court-martial
could have been held in his case or not.
Body Reaches the Morgue.
Inc body reached the morgue about .
O'Clock this afternoon In charge of Acting
Hospital Steward William E. Musgrave.
The ambulance from the barracks was used
for the transfer Superintendent Schoen-
berger was at the morgue to recei"e the
remains, and he gave the army officer a re-
ceipt for the dead mans clothing.
-Four artillerymen who We're with tno am,
bulance removed the body from the vehicle
and placed it on the table IN the morsue.
The only indication of violence about the
body was a bruise On the right side of the
neck, caused by the moose
His neck was not broken remarked
Superintendent Schoenberger. as soon as
he touched the corpse. He must have
died of strangulation," he added
Hospital Steward Musgrave gave the in
formation that there was some doubt tech
nicaliy, as to the real cause of the mans
death For this reason he had been in
structed to wait and witness the autonsv
Coroner Carr, he said had reported that
he would be at the f1orgue early in the
afternoon. The coroner had given no in
st1uctions about the disposition of the body
or the case tItrfl
Under ordinary circumstances an inquest
would not be held in a case of this kind.
out II Is not known what the coroner in
tends to do
Before the arrival of the coroner at the
mcrgue the body was taken in the yard and
| photographed by Agent ,Ruplinger of the
Humane Society. "--2'
Downing arrested Saturday. May z
In a boarding house al 9l6 street north
west by Chief Willse of the secret service
The arrest followed a careful inquiry by
the secret service -- officers, who had
Swallowed Downing for some time The
prisoner had arrived in the city Saturday
afternoon. A week before he had left here
telling his landady of contemplated visit
to Virginia. He went directly to Canada.
where he was said to have been in con-
| ''1N'A
eminent. 1t is supposed ne gave the Spac-
lards general information of the navy. and
furnished plans of the L. $. $. BROOKLYN
upon which vessel he had served as chief
yeoman.
Shortly after Downing's arrival here he
was seen to mail letter addressed 20
Montreal This letter was Intercepted and
opened by the secret service officers. 1t
was found to contain damaging evidence
against him, and. although it was only
signed by the initials &c. D." there was
no doubt as to its authorship. The letter
promised valuable informa ton in the near
future, and spoke of some evidence regard
ing the trial of the submarine boat Holland
LOWING was apparently about thirty
three years OF age, five feet seven inches
in height, of athletic build and Bohemian
III appearance NO one was allowed to have
any communication with him at the bar
racks.
Important Discovery.
The search of the room occupied by
Downing at the boarding house on E street
resulted In important discoveries A satchel
contained cipher code and numerous en-
Veiopes addressed to the same name in
Montreal to which thu letter intercepted on
Saturday was addressed, which is believed
to be an assumed one of the connection be-
tween Downing and Spain's representative
In the nefarious transaction, Lieut. Car
ranZas.
that drawings and tracings of United States
harbors and Notifications were found, but
this cannot be authoritatively confirmed
Nhen Downing himself was searched
$1,000 IN bills and silver, the latter Can
adlaa coins Of small denominations, was
lound, together with his naturalization pa
Pers and his honorable discharge from the
Z. S. $. Brooklyn three months ago.
check Tor box at the Baltimore and Ohio
uepot was also found on him, and an ex-
animation OF the box showed it contained
the uniform of yecman without the
Jacket. naval cap, lettered ~. s. S.
brooklyn was found In his room.
When arrested Downing who did not
Know of the discriminating evidence in the
poss esslon of his captors strongly protested
10 Capt. Sage that he was entirely innocent
OF any wrongdoing and that he intended re-
enllsting in the navy. 1t is believed he
spoke the truth regarding re-anlistment,
but that he was going to do so as the agent
CT the Spanish government.
Asks $2O,OOO In Damages.
Hearing in the suit at law to recover
I Il.