The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-15
MYSTERY At CABIN JOHN
Body of an Aged Woman Found
Floating in the Canal.
THE Remains Not Identified, Al
though Investigation L. Made
Empty Purse in Her Clothing-Vcr-
dict of the Coroncr's Jury-lnnb!e
to Fix Responsibility for Death.

In a solitary grave near Cabin John
Bridge lies the body of woman. IN
known and unclaimed, the victim Of death
by drowning Mystery surrounds her
death and identity alike, and a coroner's
Jury. composed of Maryland citizens, cen
signed the remains to the grave after "a
fruitless investigation yesterday alter
noon. News of the affair reached the
police at late hour, but they can likely
aid but little in locating friends of the
deceased
Apparently about sixty years of age
poorly attired and without money, hut
with an empty purse in a pocket of her
clothing, the woman buried yesterday fur
nished subject for official investigation
by the Montgomery County authorities.
Her remains were discovered floating in
the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. lust
above Seven Locks, and near Cabin John
Bridge, Nd, by a canal boatman, shortly
after O'Clock yesterday.
He secured the body to stake adjacent
to the lock house and went in search of
deputy sheriff, who resides near the
bridge. Deputy Sheriff Wells was found.
and, in turn, word was sent to Justice of
the Peace Austin two miles from the scene
of the drowning. When Squire Austin re-
sponded TO the summons he decided to sum-
mon jury and held an inquest. The body
of the woman. meanwhile, had been taken
from the canal and lay near the lock house.
While steps were being taken to secure a
jury, messenger was sent across the coun-
try to summon physician. and DIR. An
thony Ray. Of Tenleytown, went to Cabin
John Bridge, where he gave testimony at
the inquest
Pending the inquest, which began about
5 O'clock crowd CT boatmen and farmers
gathered about the remains, but none could
identify the body. Several persons had
seen strange man and woman walking
about in the vicinity of the lock house the
night before. as was brought out in testi-
mony at the hearing. Prior to the removal
of the body from the canal an affecting
scene took place, when Louisa Jackson. a
young woman, living hall mile from the
bridge. saw the body floating in the water.
She mistcok the remains for these OF her
mother. and the efforts of several women
were necessary to quiet her. Afisrward it
was learned that Mrs. Jackson is still
alive. and she accompanied her daughter
to the inquest.
An examination CT the body by Dr. Ray
did not disclose any marks OF violence,
hut showed death to have resulted from
drowning. This was the conclusion
reached by the jury, before whom several
witnesses were examined by Justice Aus
tin. Efforts were made during the en-
curry to identify the remains. but with
out avail A large key and the empty
purse was all tina; was found in the
clothing of the dead woman. Shc was
about naedium height; her hair was turn
ing grey. but no distinguishing marks fer
the purpose Of Identification were disc-v-
cred. il description Of the remains was
furnished The police here.
After viewing the remains tn Jury was
sworn over line body. Louisa Jac IN was
examined. she told CT having seen the
body floating in the canal, tied 10 q stake.
but knew nothing concerning tie manner
of death. man named George Wilson,
residing in the neighborhood. was wit
ness. He told the jury that lie saw the
body in 'he water and fastened to stake.
He helped pIll it from the water ard
with DIR. Ray searched fer marks o. yio-
1erce on the remains. but found none.
DIR. Ray testified 10 his examination. and
said death resulted from drowning. He
found no marks Of violence. At The
close of The hearing the jury returned a
verdict as follows: That the decess ed
came to her death by drowning in The
canal. We the jury are unable TO fix any
responsibility for her death. the circun-
stances OF which are alike unknown"
Immediately after the inquest the re-
mains were inferred in the grave pre-
pared at the direction of the county au-
thorities.