The Washington times., 1905-06-24
BROTHER DROWNS
AS BOY LOOKS ON
Younger Lad Thought John
Otis Was Fooling.
COULD SWIM; WAS SCARED
Victim Got in Water Over His Head and
Lost His Kerve-Son of a
Boat Builder.
COULD SWIM; WAS SCARED

Although born on the Georgetown
water front thirteen years ago, and
known as a good swimmer since he was
John Otis jr-, of 52s1s Twenty-sixth
street northwest. was drowned In the
Potomac river near the Anaiostan
island before the eyes of his brother,
James. yesterday afternoon. The two
boys were bathing opposite Cumber-
lands wharf. when John went down to
his death.
Coroner Nevitt gave a certificate of
accidental drowning Funeral services
over the body of the little fellow will be
held on Monday afternoon at o'clock
from the Western Presbyterian Church,
on II street between Nineteenth and
Twentieth streets northwest
Playmates for pallbearers.
The Rev DR.. Bailey viii officiate at
the services. Six playmates will bear
the remains te. their final resting place
in Rock Creek Cemetery.
John Otis, father of the drowned boy.
is a canoe and boat builder On the
Georgetown water front. He is en-
ployed at Cumberlands boat house. at
Twenty-seventh and F streets north
west. He has spent the most OF his
Years on the river banks. His boys
were exrert at handling boats. and but
few lads of the neighborhood could
compete with them when II came 10
swimming and diving.
Yesterday afternoon the brothers pro-
cured a boat from Cumberland's and
rowed across the river to the Anaiostan
island There is favorite swimming
hole" on the west side of the island.
After playing on the island for a short
while. the boys decided to take q swim
and then return to the boat house.
John Splashes Brother.
Jonn was the first in the water. and
began to splash TX on his younger
brother James ran back on the shore
The older boy dived into the water again
and again. and each time went farther
from the shore. When he reached Il
point about ten feet from the shore
the water was up 70 his arm pits, ana
he shouted TO James:
Come on out, Jim. An, man, II 5
6na Here's all the deep il is.
James longed to get out that lar
from the shore, just to show his brother
that he could go in the deeper water
hut his courage failed He contented
himself Win ldhiIS a o''N
water about up TO his knees.
,Io arose to the surface and wiped
no wafer off his face with his handS
before he had fully opened his eyes ne
heard the frantic screams OF ms oro,h-
rr who was about fifteen feet from the
Iahn was throwing his hands in the
air and shouting Save me, Jim! save
me Help A..
The appeal was never finished AS
Il II. tn III
water rushed In and almost strangied
him. He arose three times, but the
Younger brother still thought he was
fooling him.
lanes stood In his tracks with his
hands on his head He thought John
was swimming under water or taking
a long dive. fte waited for five minutes
for John to appear.
Better come on up John shouted
James, half crying, 'or I'll take the
boat back and you'll have to swim,
he continued.
He saw the bubbles rising from the
spot where his brother went down. but
still did not realize what had happened
He called to John many times Finally
IL dawned upon him that. John could
not stay under the water so long.
Rescue Too Late
He began 10 cry and scream Several
men on the wharf at Cumberland 5
heard his shouts. Three boats were soon
hurrying to the scene
james pointed out the spot where his
brother sank. Half dozen expert
swimmers were diving for the little
body few moments after the tragedy
occurred. They We're, however, un.sa::v
TO find the boy.
Police Of the Third precinct station
were told of the accident H1rbor.
master Sutton was communicated With
Within short time Policemen Dean
Passeno and Lewis were at work with
rowboats and graphing hooks
In less Than half an hour the little
form WAS caught and hauled up and
sent TO an undertaking establishment
to be prepared for burial