Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-09-23
Drowned Man Identified as Con-
gressional Cemetery Employe.
MYSTERY SURROUNDING His DEATH
Coroner Making an Investigation Of
tho Circumstances.
MRS. SCHAMEL'S MISTAKE

The body buried in potter's field yester-
day, after having been identified by Mrs.
Cnas. Schamel of No. SOB A street south
east that of her husband, who has been
missing six years, was disinterred this
morning by request of Supt. Vandiver of
the Congressional cemetery. who very posi-
lively declared it was the remains of Frank
L. Tucker, cemetery employe, missing
since Thursday before last.
1t is barely possible that Tucker was
murdered and thrown into the canal. where
the body was found, and the coroner's Of
flee is at work solving the mystery. The
likelihood is, however, that Tucker acc-
dentally fell in while intoxicated and was
drowned.
Mrs SchameTs hope of securing a pen
sion for herself and her three little chill
dren, who are in Strengthened circum-
stances, her husband having been dis
charged from the United States army on
account of disability incurred in service,
is. by this later development dissipated.
Chas. Schamel fled from his home by climb
ing out of a back window at night while
his little family slept, and since has not
been heard from.
The body, now identified as that of
Tucker, was discovered in the canal be-
tween 33d and 34th streets last Sunday
morning. 1t had evidently been in the
water several days. 1t was removed to the
sixth precinct morgue. No autopsy was
performed, because Coroner Carr expected
that speedy identification would discover
the events preceding the death going to
show whether or not it was suicidal, acc-
dental or criminal. The police reported
that a receipt signed by Crump Lee and
$l.1o in cash were in the pockets of the
clothing, but they had received no COM
plaint of missing men resembling the de-
ceased. 1t was learned, however, that q
man of the same description had been seen
Friday last in an intoxicated condition near
hriG and 1.nI;
finally that the unknown fell into the canal
and drowned that night.
Body Unclaimed.
No one came forward to claim the body
until yesterday, as already stated in The
Star, when Mrs. Schamel declared her con-
viction that the dead man had been her
husband. Accordingly, certificate of
death was issued and the remains renter
red. Then the supposed widow set to work,
assisted by sympathetic police officers at
headquarters, 10 prepare pension papers
for presentation today, but the present de-
velopments have completely stopped her
plans.
Frank T. Tucker was about forty-five
years old and was a widower, having two
children, who were placed in the care of
his two married sisters in this city. For
nine years past he worked gravedigger
and laborer in Congressional cemetery, but
lived with one of his sisters in Georgetown.
ne mas d DTOtutT, henry M luCkeT, d wei
known resident of that locality.
Supt Nandiver speaks very highly of
the Industrious and sober character of his
employe, and says he was the last man
to be suspected Of committing suicide, of
becoming intoxicated or of gambling. 9th
er acquaintances, on the contrary, say that
Tucker was occasional drinker."
Mr.. Vandiver last saw Tucker Thursday
of last week, since which time the latter
failed to report for work. He had not been
des pondent or drinking up to that time,
and had not received any large sum of
mOrey from any source known to his en-
ployer. Learning of the finding of the body
at Georgetown, Mr.. Vandiver today secur-
ed it's disinterment. His identification of it
is almost perfect. The necktie, shoes, shirt,
coat and trousers given by him to Tucker
were on the body, but it was so far gone
in decay that he could not extend his iden-
tifiCation. He says however that the dead
mar was of the same hegh. and build as
Tucker.
Arranged for Reinterment.
Satisfied that he had found the missing
em ploye, Mr. Vandiver sent word to the
brothers and sisters and made arrange
II er is to have the body decently inferred
in Congressional cemetery. DR.. GlaZebrook,
deputy coroner. when the facts were laid
before him by The Star, acting for Coroner
Carr, ordered the body removed to the
norgue, in order to determine by autopsy
the cause of death. He stated that it is
not too late for complete investigation
to be made, and the cause Of death will be
officially settled.
The brother and two sisters of Tucker
visited potters field today and completed
the identification. A scar on the chin con-
Vinced them. Examination of the trousers
pocket brought out the receipt reported
by the police, and already mentioned 1t
was found that the receipt was headed
washington cemetery" and in reality
was an order to Tucker to dig a grave for
a m nod to ha
delivered by Undertaken Lee
Mr.. Vandiver said that it had issued from
his cemetery. The key of the cemetery
gate was found also on the body. Superil-
tendent Vandver is inclined to think that
no very great effort was officially made to
learn the dead mans identity. The body
is now at the morgue for examination by
DR.. GlaZebrook Tucker had insurahc. on
his life, and the remains will be cared for
by the relatives.