The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-13
SPY COMMITS SUICIDE
GEORGE DOWNING HANGS HIMSELF
IN WASHINGTON BARRACKS.
FORMER Woman OF the Cruiser Brook
ish Minister Were Intercepted.

WASHINGTON. May 12.-George Down
ing, alias Rawlings. the man arrested last
Sunday under suspicion of being a spy in
the service of Spain, hanged himself at the
Washington Barracks to-day shortly after
Q o'clock. A towel End silk handkerchief
were used as the instruments of death. The
guard, who passed back and forth through
the corridor, had seen Downing a few min
utes before sitting on his cot reading q mag
azne When he returned the alleged spy
was found hanging from bar across his
cell The moose had been prepared with the
skill of a professional hangman, the knot
being just below his ear. When discovered
life was not yet extinct and the surgeon and
steward were called. Their efforts to pre-
serve his life, however, were futile, and
Downing soon expired. Yesterday he gave
evidence OF breaking down, and after speak
ing Of his coming trial, the certainty Of con-
viction and his lack of friends. he collapsed
completely and wept. The officer in COM
md of the barracks talked with him and
q, eded to his request that he be permitted
to write to his mother in England. The let
ter, he was promised, should be sent If it
contained no improper information. After
the talk with the officer he became calmer
and even cheerful He did not act in an I'M
usual manner during the night, and this
morning behaved as usual UP to the
time of his death. The corpse was re-
moved to the fnorgue at o'clock, and in the
absence of relatives in this country it is
not yet known what disposition will be
made Of the body. The guards in charge of
the prisoner walked the length of the CORR
dor every fifteen minutes, and every one
near him was instructed to keep him In sur
4al,a
ever, and during the few minutes when no
one was near put an end tc his life.
Downing was an Eagiishman by birth.
thirty-three years OF age. and prior to COM
Ing here had been yeoman Of the Brooklyn.
from which ship he was discharged because
of suspicion attaching to his loyalty and be-
cause he could not get along with the men.
He swore to be revenged, and, coming to
Washington, 1t is said, came in communi-
cation with one of the Spanish attaches.
who hired him to furnish Senior Polo and
his subordinates information. He fell under
the suspicion of Chief Willzie, of the secret
service, who had him traced to Toronto,
where, 1t is said, he delivered information
20 member of the former Spanish legation
in Washington. Later a letter addressed to
Montreal was intercepted, and contained
promises OF further information. He was
arrested Saturday night by Chief Wilkie.
and search of his rooms revealed evidence
which those who made the arrest expressed
confidence would convict him. II was
thought he would be tried by court-martial,
but later. 1t became question whether or
not the civil courts would have jurisdiction
and this puzzling law point was before the
attorney general for decision.
? AUBURN, Cal, May l2-George Down.
ing the suspected Spanish spy, who hanged
himself in Washington, is believed by many
here TO have been at one time resident of
this place He was barber and had a
shop at New Castle. Later he took to min
ing and mined around Auburn and at Blue
Canyon. When ne left here 1t was said he
enlisted in the navy. Downing was man
of intelligence but very erratic. He mar
ried in this county.