The Washington times., 1905-07-18
HUBBARD'S BODY
NOT RECOVERED
Assistant Forester browns
on Canal Trip.
WAS EXPERT WITH PADDLE
His Companion, Ayres, Has Narrow
Escape, But Finally Saves
Himself.
WAS EXPERT WITH PADDLE

The body of William F. Hubbard as
sistant, Forest Service of the Depart
ment of Agriculture. who lived at 112-
Sixteenth street northwest, has been in
the Potomac river more than twenty
four hours Authorities of Maryland
who have bsen dragging for it, reported
that il had not been struck or caught
by TIE graphing irons
Lieutenant Sutton, of the Harbor pre-
cinct. was asked to send the police boat
VigiIant. to the scene Of the drowning
Owing To the shalloWness OF the watec
near Great Falls. where the tragedy
occurred. and the nature of the bottom,
he could not comply with the request.
Canoe Upsets.
Mr.. Hubbard was returning to Wash
ington from Ha-pers Ferry. w. Va.
yesterday morning about $3.50 O'Clock. in
a canoe with friend wnen the boat
ca psized. He was thrown into the water
1t is believed that when he fell his
mouth filed with water and he was
strangled. This would have made it i'm
possible for him to save himself
Robert W. Ayres, the young man who
was in the small fran craft with Mr..
Hubbard. had a narrow escape from
death It is due to the fact that he
struck rock In the river when almost
exhausted that he is living today.
When Mr.. Hubbard left the office on
Saturday afternoon, he and Mr.. Ayres
went to Harpers Ferry. They intended
returning to Washington In canoe
loaned them by Horace w. Chlttenden.
Mr. Hubbard was an expert canoeist
and had made the trip many times.
The two started from Harpers Ferry
on Sunday morning, and proceeded with
out accident or Incident to point op-
posite the mouth OF Difficult creek, about
a mile and a half this side Of Great
Falls. Al this point there is a strong
back current. The two young men. un-
prepared, were thrown into the water
by the sudden overturning OF the boat.
Clings to Side.
Hubbard had spent mu, = ine on the
water. and was not frightened by being
thrown into the water He shouted to
AyTes Ia cling on to one side OF the
boat while he held on to the other. and
said they would soon have the boat
setting right in the water.
Mr.. Hubbard. who weighs about 1S0
pounds. is believed to have been too
heavy to balance his companion, He
went down shortly after catching hold
of the boat. The water rushed into hts
mouth. and either excited or strangIed
him so that he could not save himself
He was drowned without coming TO the
surface the customary three times.
MI A$rES held on like grim death TO
his end of the boat, and was ca rried
down the river for three or four hun
dred yards. The boat was then carried
by the current toward the left There
he struck a rock on which he scram-
bled
Asks for Aid.
He Immediately went to search for his
companion. Finding no trace, Mr. Ayres
reported the affair 10 the Maryland au-
thorities. Later word was sent to Capt
J. Barry Adams, of Gaithersburg, Nd.
and F. E. Olmstead, OF Washington.
both employees of the Forest Service and
friends of Mr.. Hubbard
The friends went 10 the scene Of the
drowning and assisted in the search for
the city leaving Dick Walker a river
man, TO continue dragging for the body
Several friends obtained leave at the de-
partment this morning and went to the
spot.
Mr.. Ayres says he thinks he saw Mr.
Hubbard rise TO the surface and make
several strokes toward the shore. but
could not be positive of this. Even if
Mr. Hubbard did do this it Is not be
lieved he could have saved himself
because Of the treacherous eddies and
whirlpoois which abound at that point
in the river.