The Washington times., 1901-09-03
A WOMAN STRANGELY MISSING.
May Have Been Drowned in the
Georgetown Canal.

Lawrence Norman, a negro, thirty-five
years of age, is now locked up at the
Seventh precinct station on suspicion of
knowing the whereabout of Annie Brown,
his sweetheart who, after having a quar-
rel, during which Norman slapped her
face. ran out of her home, 3207 Grace
Street northwest-the house being built
directly on the Georgetown canal bank
and was either pushed into its dirty
waters or fell in accidentally. 1t is
thought the girl was drowned.
No trace of her had been found at an
early hour this morning, despite the fact
Policemen Cornwell and Ward made a
thorough examination of the canal bank
in the rear of the missing woman's home
and found fresh foot prints and indica-
tions which undoubtedly pointed to the
fact that there had been struggle. many
of the small bushes in the side of the
bank having been uprooted.
The first intimation the police officials
had of any trouble in the vicinity was
when they We're approached by a colored
woman. who said Annie Brown had been
drowned in the canal. that being the i'm
preston when the neighbors failed to
find her. The bluecoats went to the
scene of the difficulty Immediately. but
no trace of the woman had been found.
When the bluecoats arrived at the
house they found Norman asleep in bed.
He was awakened, and after dressing,
was taken to the station, the police evil
IDENTIFY being under the impression that
he might tell something Of value regard
ing the case should he desire. The priso-
ner took his arrest coolly, and even after
being placed in cell fell asleep.
The statement made by him to the po-
lice so far, regarding his fiancees mys-
terious disappearance, is that he had
called early in the evening to see her. He
stayed around until about 1890, and was
about to go when he fell asleep. He says
that he was awakened by light, which
Annie carried, and running his hand into
his pocket found he had been touched
for a dollar" The woman denied taking
it. and laid the blame on William Smith,
coIored, who occupies one side of the
house. Smith is also locked up owing to
his being a Government witness.
Norman stated that he thought the
woman fooling when she said she had not
ensued between the pair brought on
quarrel. He then acknowledged to the
police having struck her in the face. He
said that she then ran to the rear of the
house on the bank and disappeared. He
said he heard no screams for help or any
unusual noise. He then. according to his
statement, went back to bed, not giving
the quarrel further consideration, al
though he stated when seen by Times
reporter in his cell that the woman had
frequently threatened to commit suicide
should he treat her wrong. He said he
knew no more of the case and coolly went
to sleep.
Norman is not a police character, the
police never having arrested him before
He is employed az an engineer In the en-
CINE rooms of laundry on Fourteenth
Street northwest.
The police, however. do not intend to
give up the case. 1t was learned last
night that they will make a thorough
search of the canal today in hopes of
finding the body of the woman. 1t is
hoped by them that before tonight they
Will have In custody Smiths wife, whom
they have every reason to believe was
present during the encounter and saw
what transpired after the Brown woman
disappeared through the back door. 1t is
the intention Of the Seventh precinct Of
ficials 10 try and have Harbormaster SUIT
ton drag the canal for some distance in
hopes of clearing UP the matter quickly.
As IL is. Norman is not, in one sense
of the word. involved in the affair, there
being no one to swear against him He
is said to be hard worker and Is given a
good name by his employers. He resides
on Thirtieth Street northwest.