Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-08-28
GEORGETOWN AFFAIRS
FRANK BECKETT, CoLoRED,
DROWNED IN ROCK CREEK.
Verdict of Accidental Death-Body of
Child Found on Dump-Inter-
esting Suit Decided.

Frank Beckett, colored, thirty-ffve years
DID, was drowned yesterday evening shortly
after e o'clock in Rock creek near Win
SHIPS coal wharf. According to the police,
Beckett was drinking yesterday afternoon.
He was on the wharf with party of
friends and remarking Il think I'll take a
SWIM" he jumped in the creek. His COM
panionS on the dock watched him as he
padded about in the water and assisted
him out of the creek, when he started to
return to the wharf. Beckett enjoyed his
dip somewhat, and said II think I'll try it
again" He accordingly jumped into the
water again, but this time his body re-
manned under the surface. His friends soon
became alarmed and made efforts to rescue
him. After dragging the creek for several
minutes the body was brought to the sur
face, but life was extinct. The police of
the seventh precinct were soon on the
scene, and took possession of the rema ms.
They were later removed to the morgue
where Coroner hewitt viewed them and
gave certificate of accidental death.
The friends of Beckett who were stand
ing on the wharf at the time of the drown
ing think the dead mans head must have
come in contact with a stake or stone,
or that he was seized with cramps. Re,a-
tives of the dead man were notified. and
today the remains were taken to his late
home, which is located near the scene of
the drowning.
Dead Infant Found.
While working on the Rock Creek dump
yesterday afternoon Jerome Jones' colored
living at 2S10 Oliver avenue northwest,
found the dead body of a female infant
Jones reported his find to the police of the
seventh precinct station, who had the in
fant removed to the morgue. 1t was stated
by the police that. judging from appear
ances, the child had been dead several
days, and was in a bad state of decomposi-
tfon-so dscolored, in fact, from exposure
that 1t was impossible to say whether it
was white or colored.
The fire department was called out about
a fire on the Rock creek dump. A large
quantity of paper and rubbish was burned,
but no damage was done.
Decision in Favor of Plaintiff.
Justice of the Peace H. E. Paine of the
Georgetown district this morning rendered a
decision in the McLeran-Stamford horse case
in favor of the plaintiff for 500 and COSTS
The case has been pending before the JUS
t1ce of the peace for several weeks and
has been the source of much interest to
horse lovers and dealers. Both parties in
volved in the case are ladies of much prom
inence Mrs. McLeran, the defendant in
the case, being the wife of Mr.. John Nc
Leran, and Mrs. Stamford, the plaintiff,
the wife of Lieutenant Stamford, L. S. A,
stationed a Fort Myer, Va
1t was alleged that Mrs. McLeran sold a
horse to Mrs. Stamford for $50 guarantee
ing at the time that the animal was in per-
feet condition. After two weeks trial
Mrs. Stamford accepted and paid for the
horse. Two months later the animal it is
alleged, developed serious defects. Both
parties to the suit introduced expert horse
testimony. 1t was stated this morning
that the case would be appealed to higher
tribunal.
faOrroforT,, pno
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