Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-28
PERPLENhG PROBLEM
Recent Death of Two Wash
ingtonians Recalled.
OFFICIALS PUZZLED
AWARD OF SEWER CONTRACT RE-
vEALs STRANGE SITUATION.
Two Members of Successful Firm Dead
and Remaining Member De-
clines to Accept.
OFFICIALS PUZZLED

clines to Accept.
One of the strangest cases with
which the authorities of any NUM-
cipality were ever confronted is today
puzzling and calling into play the best
judgment of the Commissioners of the Dis
trict of Columbia. In their dilemma the
Commissioners have turned to the corpora
ton counsel for advice. and his decision IN
the matter is anxiously awaited. The story
Is one fraught with tragedy. while there
is a problem in equity involved which COM
mands the best efforts of the law depart
ment to adjust. There are many ramifica-
lions Of unusual heart interest in the story,
one Of which is the possibility that the
Commissioners may be compelled to take
action that will sacrifice the home Of
dead contractor. that home being the only
legacy Of the dead man and the only re-
source of his widow.
The case as it now presents itself had its
beginning last July when the Commission
ers advertised for bids for the construction
of a portion of the street and New Jer-
sey avenue trunk sewer. one of the main ar
terfes of the new sewage disposal system,
which is gradually nearing completion and
will give the national capital one of the
most modern and efficient sewage establish
ments in the country. The sum of $sOOOOO
is available for the construction of the sec
ton in question. and the ultimate cost OF
this particular line of sewer is estimated at
about $4,000.
When the bids were opened 1t was found
that newly organized firm of contractors,
having its headquarters In this city, had
submitted the lowest proposal. The bid was
sent in under the firm name of Quincy,
Jones & Cavan. Michael F. Quincy, who
appeared as the senior partner in the COM
bination, and r. b. Jones, the second MEM
department Of the District government hav.
ing been associated with local contracts Ct
various descriptions in past years. Timotfy
Cavan IT., the third member Of the firm,
was known through his father, Iimothy
Cavan, ST., a well-to-do Washington con-
tractor, recently retired. Mr.. Jones Is
Baltimorean. the other two members of the
firm residing here
The Lowest Bid.
Quincy, Jones Cavan offered to build
the section of the sewer under consideration
for the sum Of s17S,3o the work to be &C
complished during the current fiscal year
The next lowest bid was higher by $4,000.
With the proposal there was deposited
certified check for 5000, binding the bid
ders to enter into contract in the event
they should be awarded the same. The
terms of the deposit were to the effect that
If for any reason whatsoever the bidders
should fail to enter INTO contract and fur
\
of the work. the $1,000 check should be for
feited to the District Of Columbia as liquf-
dated damages
While the Commissioners had the matter.
of the award of the contract under con-
sideratiOn the startling news came from
Baltimore that young Cavan, junior MEM
Der Of the firm Of Quincy. Jones & Cavan.
had shot and instantly killed Michael F.
Quincy. the senior member, and had then
turned the revolver, upon himself with
deadly effect. The shooting took. place in
sanatorium in the monumental city where
young Cavan had been taken for treat
ment. He had been sufferer from ma
larial fever for some time, and it was said
that at times he did not seem to have
complete control of his mental forces
When attendants at the Baltimore sana-
forum rushed into the room after the ps-
toll shots were heard they found Quincy
lying dead upon the floor and young Cavan
dying on the bed 1t was surmised that
Cavan had labored under the impression
that there was a plot on foot to conf1ne
him in an insane asylum the remainder OF
his life. Quincy had just entered his room
at the sanatorium when the shooting oc-
Cured There were no eye witnesses Of
the strange affair.
This was during the first days of the
current month. The subsequent details Of
the tragedy are well known to Washing
tonians. The remains of Quincy and
Cavan were brought to this city. The flu
neral services were held in the same house
and interment was made in the same ceme-
terry at the same time, the two new graves
being in close proximity.
Award Of Contract
The day following the tragedy. and with
out being acquainted with the details far
enough to associate the dead men with the
B street sewer bids. the Commissioners for
mally awarded the contract to the firm OF
Quincy, Jones & Cavan. The contract was
drawn up in proper form. but. quite need
less to say. has never been executed. The
tragic dissolution Of the firm will ever re-
main an historic incident In local engineer
ing work. Mr.. Jones. the only surviving
member of the firm, has stated that he can
not undertake the building of the sewer I'M
der the circumstances of the case.
Formal application has now been made to
the Commissioners for the return Of the
1t Is stated that Mr.. Quincy contributed
$500 Of the amount and young Cavan
similar sum. The Commissioners were In
formed further that the 81, 500 representing
Mr.. GUiney's share was raised by mort
gage on his home place in this city, while
the home was his only estate
The application for a return of the check
has been made through Mr.. J. T. Petty.
former auditor Of the District Interest is
lent to the case in this Instance, also, by
the fact that the claim is the first pre-
scented to the Commissioners by Mr.. Petty
as an outside agent.
The Commissioners are considering the
matter carefully from all points of view.
The claim has been filed since the departure
VI SOiOHel blOule, the Engineer Commas
sioner, and so has been handled thus far by
Commissioner Henry l.. West. acting presi-
dent Of the board. and Capt. H. C. New
conner, acting engineer commissioner.
The Commissioners, while guarding the
| interests Of the District primarily, have
| had their sense of equity appealed to and
! are anxious to find a way by which Mrs.
Guineys home may be saved. If the check
is declared forfeited 1T leaves a mortgage
outstanding against Mrs Guiney's home,
which might at any time be foreclosed. AS
the contract had only gone through the
preliminary stages il is believed some loop
hole may be found. If the contract had
| been awarded before the murder and sui
| eide practically wiped out the firm and The
bidders had given bond in surety COM
| paDy to carry out the contract then the
matter would have been easy of settlement
| The surety company would have been cali
| ed upon to execute the work for the con-
| tract price. AS it Is now, however, the
| Commissioners might press the contract
| upon Mr.. Jones' as the surviving member
| of the firm but cas- he does not desire the
| contract and declares, he cannot undertake
| it. the arrangement would probably mean