The times., 1899-09-21
MET DEATH AT THE BRIDGE.
The Lifeiess Body of II. C. Dean
Found by Policeman.

nv BOuy Ot ts Dtah
Pound by Policeman.
What appears to have been either a
mysterious murder or a fatal accident oc-
Cured in Georgetown at the bridge cross
ing the Chesapeake and Ohio canal at
Thirty third Street, some time between
dark and $50 o'clock last night. The vic
tim is Henry c. Dean, a retired rope
maker, sixty seven years old, whose home
was at No. 2455 Street northwest. His
body is now in the morgue at the Sixth
precinct station, and viii be viewed by
Coroner Carr this morning. 1t will then be
determined whether death was due to an
accident or the result of an assault. The
former theory is generally credited but in
the absence of conclusive proof 1t is
deemed necessary to make thorough in
vestigation into the circumstances sur
rounding the affair.
Indications point to the fact that Dean
met his death as the result of fall. An
examination of the body revealed the pres
enee of several bruises about the head and
face, and the neck had the appearance of
being broken. The bruises were possibly
caused by violent contact with the heavy
stone steps leading from the bridge to the
canal Dean was found lying at the foot
Of these steps by Policemen Steinbraker
and Cornwell. They made a close exam
nation Of the place and were at first in
clined to the belief that murder had been
committed. In the absence of witnesses the
theory could not be verified. Subsequently
a closer examination and a more thorough
Investigation dispelled the first theory and
led to the belief that the man had fallen
down the steps. bruising his head and face
as he fell, and finally broke his neck as he
struck against the stone abutment at the
foot of the stairs.
From what can be learned, no one saw
the man fall nor heard a sound from him
that would indicate that he was injured.
This gives rise to the belief that death must
have been instantaneous. No one, in fact,
knew anything OF the man from the time
ne left his home just prior to nightfall un-
til the policemen found his lifeless body
at the foot of the stairs An examination
showed at once that life was extinct and
call was sent to No station for the
patrol wagon. The body was conveyed to
the morgue Coroner Carr was then noti-
fed.
The bridge where Dean met his death
is located at a spot which is at all times
lonely. The bridge crosses the canal al
most at the foot of Thirty-third Street,
1t is several feet above the canal and ac-
cess to it from the tow path is gained by
long pair of stone steps. 1t was down
these steps that Dean Is supposed to have
plunged. When found the body was lying
just at the foot of the steps in doubled
| up position, indicating that Dean had fallen
in a heap. There was no evidence OF a
struggle. and though the extreme age OF
the man would have precluded any possl-
| bility OF a stubborn resistance to an as
sassin, il was argued that he could at least
have made an outcry.
At the Dean home in P Street the opin-
ion is held that the old man fell Gown
| the steps and was not murdered. Mrs.
Dean. when seen last night, stated that
she felt assured that her husband had not
been the victim of foul play. She said
that he left home just before dark, as had
She felt no alarm at the fact that his stay
and prostrated when the sad intelligence
of his death was conveyed to her. Neigh
bors who had heard of the death surround
ed the bereayed woman and sought to con-
sole her, but without avail.
The deceased was well known in George
town, having lived there for over thirty
years. He and his father had been rope
makers, and it is said supplied large Gov
ernment contracts during the war. The
business was successfully carried on for a
number of years by the father and son, and
at the death of the former was continued
| by the latter until few years ago, when
Mr.. Dean retired. He owned considerable
real estate in Georgetown, and lived in
comfortable circumstances,