Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-20
MET DEATH IN THE RIVER
CHRISTIAN PAFENBACH DROWNED
LATE SATURDAY NIGHT.
Had Gone I'm Bathing and Was Evil
IDENTIFY Attacked by Cramps
Body Recovered.

| Christian Pafenbach, horseshoer. aged
| forty years. was drowned Saturday night
| between IL o'clock and midnight in the Po-
| tomac at a point opposite Passeno's boat
house, at the foot of sd street. The body
was recovered about 4 o'clock yesterday
afternoon by the crew of the police boat,
and upon the order of Coroner hewitt was
removed to the undertaking establishment
of James T. Clements on 32d street. The re-
| mains were prepared for burial, and this
evening will be shipped on the $50 train
for Pittsburg, where the funeral will be
held tomorrow, a brother of the drowned
man reaching the city about o'clock this
| morning and taking charge of the arrange
ments
Pafenbach had been a resident Of George
| town for about twelve years. and was quite
well known. About II O'Clock Saturday
night he went to the water front and step
ping out on the float in front of Passeno's
boathouse. he undressed himself to take a
swim. George Burrows of 1895 Cissel's al
ley, who is we'll acquainted on the river
front, saw Pafenbach on the float, and
though acquainted with him, he did not
recognize him at the time. After undress-
ing. the man dived overheard and swan out
In the river for. considerable distance.
Owing to the darkness Burrows was unable
to see the head of the swimmer. He watch
ed and waited for his return, but he did not
range of the vision of the watcher.
Tug Boat Commander Notified
The little tugboat Bartholdi, which was
making it's regular midnight trip up the
river. pulled out from the wharf and Bur-
rows told Bob Cumberland, in charge of
the craft to look out, as there was a man
out In the river swimming. All Cumberland
heard was a cough. though he could see
nothing. The cough reminded him of per-
son who had got water in his throat and
was strangling. Burrows heard the same
sound, and 1t is believed IT was about this
time that Pafenbach was drowned
After waiting while longer Burrows
called together several men and they took
boat and rowed out in the river, but
could see nothing There was a party of
men on Analostan Island coon hunting and
the boat was showed over to land, with the
ed the river and was talking to the hunt
ers. But he was not there. and a further
search of the water failed to reveal his
whereabouts.
Policemen Hess and Lintler were notified
and at O'Clock yesterday morning they
took charge of the clothing. When search
ed several cards of the Journeyman Horse
shoers' Union, made out to C. Pafenbach;
little round purse which was empty. and
several trunk keys on a ring were all that
could be found in the pockets. The police
boat was notified, and searching the river
bottom with graphing hooks caught the
body out In the channel almost opposite
the point where the man plunged in.
Condition of the Body.
From the condition Of the body it was
evident that death was caused by cramps.
The knees were bent up and the body near
ly bent double. Pafenbach was said to be
a fairly good swimmer. The police later
found out the address of relatives and sent
messages to the wife of the drowned man
Mrs. Elizabeth Pafenbach, at 30 Lehigh
avenue. Pittsburg. Pa, and to George and
Andrew Pafenbach, brothers, who reside in
Allegheny. Pa. The aged mother and
father of the deceased also reside some dis
lance outside Of Pittsburg. Immediately
upon the receipt of the message one of the
brothers came to the city, as stated. while
the other broke the news to the parents
and prepared to receive the body.
Pafenbach in the employ Of John
Coleman. who keeps a shop in Warehouse
alley. NJ street between 32d street and East
Market Space. Previous to that he was in
the employ of John Lynch, the horseshoer
of Prospect avenue, and prior to this time
was in business, with Harry Burton as
partner, operating blacksmith shop on
Water street, just east of 32d street. The
police located the trunk of the unfortunate
man at the home of his former partner.
and the effects We're moved to the station
house. They will be turned over to the