The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-13
DROWNED in THE CANAL
MARTIN $. DUGAN LOSES HIS LIFE
IN THAT MANNER.
His Cries for Help Heard by PATROL
men Milan and Hail-PrObably
Not Suicide.

PatroIrnen Milan and Hall were startled
last night at $50 o'clock while walking
their district at Market and Missouri
streets by agonizing calls for help coming
from the direction Of the canal just north
OF there at Wabash street The patrolmen
ran toward the sound and when they
reached the canal bank through the
darkness a man struggling in the water in
an effort 10 keep at the surface. His yells
for help were drowned In gurgles as he re-
peatedly sank beneath the surface of the
water only to rise again and struggle mo-
mentarily. The policemen were unable to
reach him-he was in the middle of the
stream and nothing with which to help him
was handy-and he finally sank beneath the
surface of the water. His hat, which had
fallen from his head when he fell into the
water. foated slowly down stream after his
disappearance.
Patrolnan Milan notified headquarters
and Bicyclemen Duncan and Askins were
sent to the scene of the drowning with
grab hooks and other paraphernalia used
II. the recovery or dead bodies After lit
tie labor I'm throwing the hooks Askin3
found something on the bottom with his
large grab hook and soon hauled IL ashore
with the assistance or the other policemen
IT proved 10 be the body Of Martin 5. liu-
gan. the drowned man. There was nothing
IN his pockets which would aid in Identify
Ing him. but James Allison, No. 5lS West
Court street William Nisewander and Pa
trolman Hagerty recognized him as Martin
Dugan. a well-known resident OF South
West street
IDENTIFIED AS MARTIN DUGAN
From their identification 1t learned
that Dugan was fifty-four years old anu
lived at No % South West street with his
family. consisting of a wife and six chill
d.
Katherine Dugan and Mrs. Ellen Corners.
He had been employed for many years at
Kingan's packing house a cellar man.
He had lived in indianapolis for thirty
years.
The cause of Dugan's death is specula-
tive. II first suicide was suspected from
the fact that he was some distance from
his home and could not have been passing
there homeward bound. Another reason
for the theory Is that two footprints, SINH
lar I'm size and shape 10 Dugan's shoes,
were plainly visible in the soft gravel Of
the canal bank little distance from the
spot where his body was recovered The
footprints were at the edge of the canal
and depressed in front as though a jump
had been made. and no footprints We're
near TO show that the pedestrian who had
marked them had turned and left the spot.
Nothing 10 justify the supposition that
he killed himself could be found. Dugan
nad been drinking considerably since the
death OF second cousin two days ago.
staursday night he attended the wake and
Ri tnere WITH a cousin named Kelly at ,
O'Clock yesterday morning. He under
the influence OF liquor during the day and
evening At o'clock and until 100 he was
IN Kelly's saloon. at Washington and West
streets. and left there saying he was going
home Before leaving he joked with VIII
liam Nisewander. who says there was moth
ing IN the mans actions TO suggest the
probability Of suicide.
The body was taken 10 the morgue and
later turned over TO undertaken en-
ployed by the family, who VIII prepare ii
for burial