Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-06-29
MISS ROGERS BODY FOUND.

oi LetaOurg, VINO disapPealeu "V"n '"'
Baker cottage at Saranac Lake, n. T.,
late Saturday night or early Sunday
morning, was recovered yesterday even
ing from the Saranac river. 1t was
70 ind by W. Stearns, a bOatmah, en-
plOyed by members of Miss Rogers
family, and was about one-quarter oil a
mile below the point at which she was
supposed to have jumped into the river.
District Attorney Finn authorized the
removal OF the body by an undertaken
VINO embalmed and prepared it for
burial. Coroner Severance will hold an
inquest. As soon thereafter as arrange
ments can be completed the start will be
made for Virginia.
District Attorney Finn last night
issued this official statement about the
death of Miss Rogers:
II learned that this young woman had
mysteriously disappeared from the Baker
cottage, at Saranac Lake, and there was
some suspicion offoul play. | at once re-
tanned ,Attorney H. ?. Coates, of that place
aud instructed him to make thorough
investigation and report to me. Wit
nesses were examined by him, aud he
reported that he was satisfied that it was
a case of suicide. Later | was urged to
make a personal investigation. came
10 Saranac Lake and interviewed all the
parties involved in the matter and have
considered that the nurse, Miss Ada F..
Janney, Washington, ID. c., and the
friend of the accused, Mr.. w. n. Smith,
an attorney of Baltimore, are entirely
blameless, and their actions and state
ments have shown that they had but one
desire, aud that was to tell the truth.
Many theories were advanced, but the
recovery of the body from the Saranac
river exonerated all parties and estab-
fishes beyond question that death was
suicidal. There were no signs of violence
upon the body nor in the apartments OF
the deceased, and size undoubtedly escaped
from her room by cutting the mosquito
wiring from her window. No one could
have been interested in the death Of the
young lady, she having practically no
estate and all statements that she was
wealthy or would inherit wealth are false
and without foundation. 1t is impossi-
BILE to discover any motive which would
induce any person to do away with her.
The reports to the contrary published by
certain papers were unwarranted and the
products of the imagination Of oyer-zeal-
Gus newspaper reporters"
Miss Rogers was born in Leesburg
about "a years ago. She was the daugh-
ter of Alexander Rogers, her mother,
before marriage, being Miss Julia Clag-
gett, of Leesburg. For many years she
had been engaged TO marry Willcughby
n. Smith, an attorney of Baltimore, but
would not consent TO the marriage dur
ing the lifetime of her mother. On ac-
count of her mothers age n large part Of
the care and management of the family
estate, Woodburn, devOlved upon Miss
Rogers After her mothers death in
February, 1908, the estate was sold and
Miss Rogers moved IN Leesburg, making
her home with her sister, Mrs. r. b.
Fishburn.
1t was not long after this, however,
that Miss Rogers developed tuberculosis
and upon the advice of her physician
she went to Saranac Lake, accompanied
BY trained nurse and WilOughby
Smith. She was exceptionally popular
in that community. At no time while
in Leesburg did she appear to suffer
from mesncholia or any other diseases
Of the mind
Miss Rogers was not person of great
wealth, as has been generally reported,
though she had independent means. The
bulk Of her property came from a legacy
of $40, 600 in life insurance left by her
brother, Oden Rogers, who diedin 1904.
1t is believed that she invested the
sum on the advice of Smith, but it is
not thought that she suffered any 6nan-
cial losses or reverses.
Saranac Lake, n. Y, June 29.-Dis-
strict Attorney OF Essex county, II. J.
Finn, has issued official statement re-
garding the death of Miss Mary Rogers.
lie says: Ihave concluded that the nurse,
Miss Ada Januey, of Washington, and
the friend of the deceased, Mr.. vii
loughby n. Smith, an attorney, of Bal
timore, are entirely bameless and their
actions aud statements have shown that
they have but one desire, and that was to
tell the truth. Many theories were adj
vanced, but the recovery Ofthe body from
the Saranac river exOnerates all parties
and establishes beyond question that
death was suicidal. There were no
signs Of violence upon the body nor in
the apartments of the deceased, and she
undoubtedly escaped from her room by
cutting the mosquito netting from her
window"