Evening star., 1901-06-08
JNO. A. DOWNS DROWNED
SUPPOSED TO HAVE JUMPED FROM
THE STEAMER MACALEsTER.
His Friends Believe He Committed
Suicide From Grief mt His
Mothers Death.

John A. Downs, bachelor ffty-eight
years old, who lived at the home of his
nephew, John Tindall. No. 914 / street
southeast, went down the river on the
steamer Charles Manchester last night and
remained about the boat until the turn at
Indian Head was made. When the steamer
was opposite the White House landing a
passenger found a coat, hat and cane on
the lower deck. These articles of wearing
apparel, as well the cane, belonged to
Downs. The next question to be solved
was what had become of their owner. Capt.
L. L. Blake, who had known Downs for
more than twenty years, and who had con-
versed with him during the evening, insti-
tuted a search. but the passenger was not
to be found. He then concluded that
Downs had gone overheard, either acct
dentally or purposely. Capt. Blake realized
that nothing could be accomplished last
night in the way of searching the river for
the body, and beyond searching the boat
and afterward reporting the affair TO the
police nothing was done. When the steamer
reached the wharf at the foot of 9Th street
about II o'clock Policeman Auguste was
given the coat hat and cane and told OF
how they had been left on the steamer.
Many of the passengers who had enjoyed
the evenings outing We're questioned, but
none of them could throw any light on the
question of the mans disappearance.
Suicide Suspected.
It Is generally believed that Downs COM
mitted suicide, because he had stated that
he was tired of living and intended ending
his earthly career last Thursday, so it is
reported. His mother died about three
months ago. leaving him the only member
of the family living During his mothers
life the son saw that she never wanted for
anything. and her death had a very de-
pressing effect upon him. Since then he
has been despondent. and friends say he
made the remark: I'm the only one left
and I might as well kill myself"
The Information concerning his disap-
pearance from the Manchester was not a
surprise to some of his friends who had
heard of the threat he is reported to have
made. He left his home Thursday and the
fact that he did not return that night oc-
casioned no alarm. for he had remained
away from home over night many times
before. For many years he was a drum
mer for a cigar firm, and he was also in
the brokerage business. He was Knight
Templar, being member OF Washington
Commandery, and was also member OF
Harmony Lodge, No. Il, F. A. A. NJ 1t is
stated that he expressed desire that the
members of the lodge should take charge
of his body.
To Search for His Body.
Mr.. Henry Littleton OF o16 street south
east has arranged to go down the river
Monday morning and search for the body
of his friend unless 1t is recovered IN the
meantime. Friends of the missing man
We're anxious to have the police boat go
down the river this morning in order that
the members OF the crew might make a
search, but the boat is disabled and has
been out of service for several weeks
Passengers who went down on the river
boats today were instructed to look out for
the body
On Lookout for Body.
Capt L. L. Blake said today that he had
notified all the fishermen about Holland
Point to look out for the body and to
notify Commodore Sutton, the harbormas-
ter here il 1t should be found. The trou-
BILE, he said, would be to locate the point
where Downs jumped overheard. 1t might
have been at any place within distance Of
five miles. Downs was said to be an ex-
pert swimmer and there Is a bare poSsi-
bility that he may have swan ahore. The
harbor boat being out of commission
awaiting a new equipment. 1t Is not posi-
BILE to employ the District apparatus for
dragging the river, unless a boat be OBJ
tained specially for the purpose.