Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-15
DEATH BY DROWNlN G
MISS COCKERELL'S MYSTERIOUS DIS
APPEARANCE EXPLAINED.
Commits Suicide by Jumping Into the
River-BOdy Recovered This
Morning.

Miss Mary J. Cockerell the young woman
who disappeared from the home of Mr..
and Mrs. j. A. Sheppard. No. 1916 B street
southwest last Friday during the rain
storm. committed suicide by jumping into
the river, her friends had feared Her
body was recovered about 1890 o'clock this
morning near the foot of C street, not more
than $50 yards below the bathing beach.
by Policemen Perry and Jones Of the crew
of the police boat, who were assisting in
dragging the river.
The officers took the body to the 7th
street wharf. where it was held until the
arrival Of the dead wagon, when 1t was
removed to the morgue. The remains will
be buried In Loudoun county, Va.
What caused the unfortunate young wo-
man to end her life her relatives and
friends cannot imagine She had talked to
the cOlored domestic at Mr.. Sheppard's
about people taking their lives and had
mentioned that drowning was an easy way
to bring about self-destruction. One day
early in the week she strolled along the
river bank west of the Long bridge with
young girl companion, and standing near
the catch basin she remarked:
That water must be awfully deep and
cold"
1t is apparent that she contemplated TAX
ing her life at that time, but had not fully
determined in just what manner she would
accomplish it.
Use of Illuminating Gas.
During her conversation with the colored
domestic on the subject of suicide she men,
toned the use of Illuminating gas and ex-
pressed the belief that gas would not cause
death. 1t is now believed that she tried to
END her life by turning the gas in her
room. but changed her mind for some rea-
son, and afterWard concluded she would
jump into the river.
Miss Cockerell left the house not long after
she had the conversation with the colored
woman. without explaining why or where
she was going. She left note of eX-
PLANTATION, so far as Mr.. Sheppard or the po-
lice know, and 1t was believed that she had
gone to the store to make some purchases
for dinner. as she had not dressed in cos
tune that was calculated to afford her
much protection from the weather. She
wore a black skirt and red plaid waist
She had on pair of slippers, and a small
shoulder cape was thrown carelessly over
her head
Her movements from the time she left
her home until she jumped into the river
are not known. Although it has been
stated that she was seen crossing the Long
bridge Friday afternoon 1t is believed she
went directly from the house to the river.
A belt and handkerchief found near the
river yesterday were supposed to have be-
longed to the young woman, but when her
body was recovered her belt was found
about her waist.
Had Been Dependent.
1t was said this afternoon that the young
woman wrote letter Friday afternoon and
put it in the fire shortly before she left the
house. This letter. it is supposed, con-
tanned an explanation of her troubles. For
a week before she ended her life her
strange conduct had attracted attention.
She was respondent, but no one suspected
that she was going to end her life. Her
body was searched by the superintendent
of the morgue, but there was not even
pocket in the garments.
Miss Cockereil was twenty years old. Her
mother died when she was quite young and
she was adopted by Mr.. Sheppard's first
wife. Three weeks ago she came here to
live in the family of Mr. Sheppard. Charles
Cockerell, a brother, who lives in Alexan-
dria, has been here engaged in the search
for his sister. He was at the river front
this morning about the time the body was
found. He will have charge of the funeral
arrangements and will accompany the body
to Loudoun county tomorrow.