Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-11
GEORGETOWN AFFAIRS
DROWNING OF EDWARD WALSH
YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.
Coroner's Investigation Discloses That
Death Was Due to Accident
General Items.

The pleasure of a fishing party of four
young men was brought to an abrupt end
ing about O'Clock last evening by the
drowning of Edward 1iwalsh, one of the
number in the Potomac river, beneath the
Aqueduct bridge the result of the over
turning of a rowboat. When the craft
tipped over the entire party composed of
Thomas Colbert, painter; Samuel Nalley,
Iaborer; Charles Leer. machinist, and Ed
ward Walsh, laborer-the dead man-whose
ages range from twenty-five to twenty-six
years, were thrown into the water. The
overturning of the boat was witnessed by
hundreds of people, who, believing that all
four men could swim, looked upon the oo-
currence for the moment as an amusing
incident.
All of the men with the exception of
Walsh managed to climb on to the up
turned bottom of the boat, and were later
rescued by other fishermen. 1t was first
believed that all had chung to the craft,
until Nalley felt Walsh release his grip
on his (Naleys) leg and struggle in the wa
ter. Walsh soon sank from view. His body
was recovered by the crew of the police
boat Vigilant after four hours had elapsed
and turned over to the morgue authori-
ties where this morning Coroner hewitt
viewed it and gave a certificate of death
from accidental drowning.
According to the police, the party engaged
a boat from Cumherlands boat house at the
foot of Saith street early in the afternoon,
and after visiting Rosslyn, Va, just across
the river, spent much time moving about to
find a good fishing place. First they went
I'D the river toward the Little Falls, coming
back gradually until almost opposite the
ice house above the bridge.
Immediate Cause of Accident.
From that point they started direct for
the boat house, intending to return home.
When Just beneath the bridge Nalley COM
planned that he was tired of rowing and
Colbert volunteered to take his place. Both
arose and in changing places upset the boat,
throwing the occupants into the water
which at this particular point is about
thirty feet deep After releasing his hold
on Valleys leg Walsh struggled frantically
in the water for a moD,cnt, and sank before
aid reached him.
A cry went up that a man was overheard
and all the fishermen in the vicinity rowed
with all possible speed to the scene of the
tragedy, but their efforts were of no avail,
as the mans body was not seen to come to
the surface.
Without further delay the three surviving
members of the party were hurried ashore
and taken to the Georgetown University
Hospital where they were given treatment.
Meantime report of the accident reached
the seventh police station, and upon the
rumor that the drowning of Walsh was the
result of fight Lieut.. Swindells of the 7th
precinct ordered the detention of the men
at the hospital. After being given dry
clothing they were removed to the station
house and held as United States witnesses
until this morning. when upon the issuance
of the death certificate of accidental drown
ing they were released from custody
Vigilant's Crew Receivers Body.
Soon after the accident was reported to
the police Lieut.. Swindells communicated
with Harbor Master Sutton, and invoked
the services of the crew Of the Vigilant. In
due time the boat arrived and dragged the
river. About II clock the graphing hooks
caught the mans body and it was imme-
diately turned over 10 Morgue Master
Schoenberger and taken to the morgue.
The unfortunate man resided with his sis
ter, Mrs Mary Connor,. at LIST and L streets
northwest. Up to late hour this after
noon the funeral arrangements had not
been completed.
General Items.
The question affirming THAT it is for the
best interests Of the United States to form
an alliance with the British empire" will be
discussed at the annual debate Of the Philo-
nomosian Society of the Georgetown Uni
versity. next Wednesday evening, at Gas
ton Hail. Messrs. J. Herbert Doyle and
Albert B. Ridgway will be the affirmative
speakers, while MessrS. Joseph H. LaWler
and G. Rex Frye will hold up the negative
side of the question. Mr.. James H. Teevan
will preside
A horse, driven by NJ. Robinson, guest
of the Hotel Raleigh, ran away on the
Conduit road about o'clock last evening
The animal took fright from piece OF
paper and became unmanageable. 1t was
stopped by running into ditch. Fortunate
ly Mr.. Robsinson not injured.
Mr.. Charles P. Stohlman is confined to his
home, 1925 street, by an attack of grip.