The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-20
FROZEN TO DEATH
IN TIDAL BASIN
Young COleman's Friends
Unable to Rescue Him.
EFFORT TO SAVE HAT FATAL
Despite Warning of Police and Press
Skaters Still Congregate at
Dangerous Spot.


Keeping afoat on a cake of ice, while
his companions made vain efforts 20
rescue him. Leroy A Coleman. a seven
teen-year-old High School Cadet. who
broke through the ice on the Tidal
Basin yesterday afternoon. slowly froze
TO death. while the water concealed
again into ice around his neck Relief
was two hours in reaching him. and
long before that life had become ex-
~tinct from shock and exposure, accord
ing 10 the certificate of Coroner hewitt
Young Coleman. who lived at G94
Spruce Street northwest. went skating
yesterday with Elliott Mason, an init
mate friend and next-door neighbor.
Despite the frequent warnings Of the
police and press. and the terrible prece-
dent OF one year ago, when the treach-
erous ice OF this resort gave way. and
forty people were precipitated into the
water and three drowned. the pair Sc
lected the reservoir for his sport
Streak of Thin Ice.
Starting IN at the scene of last years
tragedy, they skated rapidly toward the
neck OF the basin. out ct the neck was
party OF equally daring skaters. who
III
from the river was a broad streak Of
thin ice. where the other day the harbor
boat Vigilaut plowed through in an
effort TO discourage skating. There
Truman Krauskopf, of 629 z Street
northwest and 9. b. Harrington. OF CD
Sixth Street northwest. had discovered
this thin ice By skating over the edge
and hearing it crack.
Harrington and Krauskopf were slat-
ins or good. mick ten-inch ice. when
they saw Coleman and his chum an
preaching from the old bathing beach
Ihey paid no attention until suddenly
they were hOrrihed 10 see Coleman. who
was IN the lead. skating upon the treach-
erous streak. Before they could cry our
tne Ice gave way. and Coleman was
precipitated into the water The specta-
ross were reiieved to notice that Cole
nan exhibited no signs OF fright, but
Struck Out boldly for the thick ice with
the motions Of an experienced swimmer
StrOve to Save Hat.
Just at this moment the boys hat blew
of and fioated toward the channel with
the confusion OF ideas that often comes
In emergencies. the lad turned and swan
toward mis- hat. A cry from young
Harrington to let his hat go and swim
toward solid ice caused him 70 turn
but the momentary delay -Tas fatal. for
before he again came neap solid ice ne
was exhausted
The other skaters lost no time in max
ing an effort 10 save the irnperiled boy.
Harrington. advancing as far as he
dared. took or his coat. and flung II to-
ward Coleman. but the garment fell
short. Young Mason seeing the NOV,
ana wearing an Oycrcoat repeated the
maneuver with the latter garment. but
by this time Coleman was too weak 10
EIAEn ffrlfa an. .s41
run 70 the tug boat Doc Ray frozen
IN the neck of the basin for poles and a
long plank Before they could make the
round trip or hundred feet, Coleman
who had not uttered a word since he
fell into the water, gave what seemed
TO be sigh or 8 groan and sank be-
meath the edge Of the ice.
Held Head above Water.
When the plank and poles were
brought a nail was driven into the end
OF one OF the poles. a grip taken in the
clothing Of Coleman. ard his body was
brought again to the service. but the
boys were not strong enough 10 lift #
out They held his head above the
water. though. until the arrival OF the
Emergency Hospital ambulance. in
charge OF Or. Robert Perkins and the
patrol wagon OF the Third Llacinct in
charge Of Sergeant Robert T. Doyle A
boat was obtained. and a volunteer crew
went to the rescue
In the boat were X. L. Cunnink ham,
W NJ. Sherer, Frank Freer, and Patrrt-
man PeytOn-
Funeral Tomorrow.
The funeral will be held tomorrow AT
2.50 O'Clock. at Gurley Memorial Church
The interment VIII be private, and at
the Congressional Cemetery
The dead youth was vice president Of
the Christian Endeavor Society Of Cur
ley Memorial Church and a member OF
the choir
Mr.. Coleman. father OF the bog. ex-
presses his thanks, through The Times,
10 all who have lent aid and good serv-
ices in connection with the misfortune
which has befallen his family.
Members of the choir Of the church
viii serve as pallbearers. sThey are:
Arthur l. Reiner. Louis Q. Doyle James
Cooper. Charles Merwin, Fred New
burg. and John Goodman.