The times., 1901-06-09
DEATH SOUGHT BY DOWNS
4 P0sthumOus Letter Removes All
Doubt of His Demise.

Through Friend He Mailed Full
| Particulars to His Cousin for the
| Disposition of His Estate - To
Search for the Body Tomorrow.
All doubt as to the fate of John \.
Downs, who disappeared mysteriously
! from the lower deck of the steamer
| Charles Manchester while coming up the
! river from Indian Head Friday night,
| would seem to be dispelled by the re-
! ceipt yesterday of letter addressed to
| his cousin. Mrs. Adde E. Lttleton, of 909
| | STREET southeast. In the nature of
| will this letter bequeaths the property
! of Downs, consisting of a share in the
| house occupied by his nephew, John Tin
dali, SI4 | Street southeast. and personal
effects. to his cousin. Mrs Littleton, and
other relatives. Downs mailed this letter
through friend after boarding the Mac
alester for the trip down the river Friday
night. It was delivered to Mrs. Littleton
yesterday afternoon.
In effect. the letter states that in the
event of the death of the writer Downs
disposes of all his property to his reIa-
tives. He requests toward the close of
the epistle that e. Hez Sven. minister
of the gospel, whose home adjoins his
church, at 72S Fourth Street southeast. be
appointed executor of his estate. Mr.
Sven was friend of Downs. Mrs. S.
J. Fields, an aunt of Downs, living at 9l6
Street southeast, is named in the letter
in connection with the final disposition of
his property.
j. Louis Willige, Master of Harmony
Lodge, No. II, F. A. A. NJ. together
with Joseph A. Oliver Commander of
the Washington Comm ardery, knights
Templar, of which orders Downs
was s. member called at the late home of
the latter yesterday afternoon to en-
quire into his death. and the steps
taken toward the recovery of the re-
mains Harbormaster Sutton was able
last night to secure the use of the LOWE
Randall, of the Randall line of steam
ers. with which to make a search tomor-
row and Tuesday for the body of Downs.
1t is understood the Randall will be taken
down about Glymont Monday afternoon
and again Tuesday, to search for the re-
mains, unless they are previously recov-
cred. When found, the body will be
buried in. the family lot at Congressional
Cemetery
John Tindall, nephew of Downs when
seen late last night at his home told a
Times reporter there was no doubt that
Downs had committed suicide. His uncle
saw cniy failure ahead in business and So
cial life: was unable to secure suitable
employment at his advanced age-sixty
yea sand consequently had grown de-
spondent as the days went by. Friends
wiz make every effort to recover the re-
mains for burial
At his home last night Z. Hez Sven
said that he had known Downs quite well
The latter however, did not belong to
his church. Mr.. Sven stated that he
knew nothing of the contents OF any let
ter Downs might have written gust prior
to his sudden death.
While th< police are anxious to find
the remains of Downs, whose coat, hat,
and cane We're picked Sup from a chair
on the lower deck of the Manchester, and
turned over by Captain Blake TO the au-
thorities, the uncertainty surrounding the
exact point where the tragedy took place
presents a great difficulty to be solved. No
effort has yet been made to drag for the
body, both for the reason stated and be-
cause the police harbor boat, which is
usually utilized for this purpose. is now
in the dry dock undergoing repairs. Ac-
cordingly HaTbormaster Sutton has found
himself greatly hampered in the present
instance. The police believe there is little
prospect of recovery until the remains
finally come to the surface and float,
which may be a week or even ten days. |
Mr. Sutton has asked all river men, how !
ever. to keep a sharp lookout down |
stream for the body.
Downs. who was formerly a successful |
cigar salesman in this city, has roomed |
for some time with his nephew. John |
Tindall, at 9l4 / Street southeast Henry |
Littleton, a neighbor. is going down the
river Monday TO search for the body.
Downs recently served on the jury in the
Police Court that acquitted Policeman
Harrison J. Ashton of "A most serious
charge. 1t is said that he Informed sew
eral parties at the time that he voted at |
the time contrary TO his convictions as his
mother was i'll and he was anxious 10 be |
with her. He has been somewhat de-
sponuent ever since, 1t is said. and TO
have expressed a determination to COM
nit suicide. At such times he is said to |
have stated that he wanted his body |
taken charge Of by Harmony Lodge. He
also belonged TO Washington Command
cry, No. !, Knights Templar.