The times., 1901-06-08
DROWNED IN THE POTOMAC
John A. Downs Mysteriously Dis
appears From River Boat.
His Hat. Coat, md Cane Found on
the Lower Deck of the Manchester
Near the stern - Had Been De
spondent Over Lack of work.


A coat. hat. ard cane. belonging to
John A. Downs, whose home is with his
nephew, James y. Tindall, Of 914 ! Street
southeast were found last night on a
chair on the lower deck of the steamer
Charles Manchester, as it was about TO
make the landing at Marshall Hall Md,
on the trip up the river from Indian
Head. No other conclusion seems possible
than that Downs jumped or possibly fell
from the deck of the steamer, and his
body is now at the bottom of the PO-
tOmac. 1t is known he was aboard the
boat after the turn at Indian Head for
the up trip was made. and. likewise. it is
certain he did not return to his home in
this city last night.
Downs had been away from home since
Thursday forenoon, and his absence was
unexplained, according to his nephew,
who was seen last night. Mr. Tindall was
under the impression his uncle had been
respondent for some days past, probably
because of financial matters and lack Of
suitable employment. This fact more than
any other leads some to the belief that
Downs may have juu.T ed overheard as
the Manchester steamed up the river last
night
Nobody saw Downs jump or fall. as he
spent his time on the lower deck of the
steamer. while the crowd was mostly
scattered on the upper deck. The man
was seen on the boat shortly before he
disappeared. both by passengers and by
Captain Blake, with whom Downs was
intimately acquainted.
The Macalester was nearing Marshall
Hall landing when passenger sought out
Captain Blake and told him of the tell
tale hat coat, and cane which were lying
on a chair at the stern Of the steamer, on
the right hand side. No time was lost in
making an enquiry and search of the
pockets Of the coat disclosed a card bear
ing the name of John Downs. 9l4 | Street
southeast" Captain Blake knew Downs
was aboard the steamer, as he had talked
with him half an hour before. Just before
the Manchester reached GlymOnt, on the
up trip, Captain Blake saw Downs seated
on d chair. with his back against the
wheel house. The captaiu stopped and
talked with his friend, whom he had
known for years.
On finding the coat and card passengers
on the lower deck were inteTrOSated. but
none was found who could throw any
light on the mystery of the missing man.
Nobody had seen Downs leave his seat,
except one old gentleman, who remember
ed that Downs had gone TO the water cool
er as GlymOnt was passed, but had re-
wheel house. as before.
Failing To learn anything Of Downs the
steamer proceeded to Washington, after
a brief stop at Marshall Hall. On its ar
rival here Captain Blake sought out Ser
geant Dunnigan. of the Fourth precinct
station, who was at the wharf, and gave
him the coat hat and cane. supposed to
belong TO Downs. Captain Blake told also
Of the circumstances surrounding the dis
appearance of Downs, and a report was
made at a late hour to Headquarters.
f5a1 Of of
his disappearance. Mr.. Tindall. nephew
of Downs, was seen late last night by
reporter and said: Il do not know how to
account for my uncle's death, II he is
dead. He was respondent yesterday. and
did not return home last night at all For
several months he has not been satisfac-
tOrily employed, having gone out of the
brokerage commission business into other
lines"
Mr. Tindan said his uncle was born in
the house in which he was then living,
and had resided in Washington all his life.
He was unmarried, and was sixty-nine
years of age.
Captain Blake. of the Manchester. when
seen after midnight by a reporter, stated
that he knew Downs very Intimately. He
had seen Downs aboard his steamer last
night and had talked with him.
Half an hour before his disappearance
was reported to me - said Captain Blake
house of my steamer. He appeared per-
fectly sane and in his usual spirits. No
sign of any intention TO harm himself was
apparent TO me. / was both shocked and
surprised to learn that he had disap-
peared- The steamer was not stopped
when / learned OF the accident because it
vas useless to do so. Too much time had
elapsed after Downs had disappeared and
II a. fell into the river at all he must
have long before met death"
Downs was a Mason. a member Of
Washington Commandery and Harmony
Lodge. He was well known in the South
eastern section of the city.