Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-20
MEETS DEATHIN WATER
Bernard Kennedy Drowned in
the Tidal Basin.
BODY NOT YET RECOVERED
Was in Bathing With Two Of His
Boy Friends.
WAS NOT A GOOD SWIMMER
His Companions Were Unable to Save
Him and Went for As
sistance. (
WAS NOT A GOOD SWIMMER

Bernard Kennedy, fourteen years old, liv-
Ing at 008 Pennsylvania avenue southeast,
was drowned in the Washington tidal basin
shortly before noon today. Two companions.
Keith Hall, fourteen years cd, of 800 Penn
sylvania avenue southeast, and Nelson Tur-
ner Of 22S street southeast. who were in
the boat from which Kennedy was drowned,
made an effort to rescue him: Failing to do
80, they gave the alarm to persons at the
boat house and a search was at once insti-
tuted for the boys body. Acting Harbor-
master Dean was also notified and the crew
Of the police boat took part In the search.
Kennedy left his home shortly after 10
o'clock today in company with Hall and
Turner. The three met in front of Kenne-
dy's house on Pennsylvania avenue south
east and went thence to the bathing beach.
On their way there Kennedy was asked
where he wanted to go bathing-at the bath
Ing beach or In the tidal basin, which Is
larger and deeper He was regarded as the
poorest swimmer of the three. He replied at
once that he wanted to 20 In at the tidal
basin, and so when the bows reached the
beach they hired boat from C. E. Allen.
who was in charge of,them at the time, and
started for the middle of the BASIN
The boys had their bathing suits on I'M
der their regular clothes, and the trio,
happy In the anticipation Of a swim. soon
had on their outer garments. Hall and
Turner were In the water first, Kennedy
remarking that he could not swim very
well. -
If you can't get out we will help YOU"
replied one of the boys with him.
Kennedy dived once, and with little help
from Keith Hall he was able to get back
into the boat again.
Came Up Struggling.
II got a headache from that last dive,
but have got to learn to dive some time,"
ooiA y{$l
into the water. When he came up he was
struggling to reach the boat from
point fully six feet distant. Hall, who was
watching him. saw that Kennedy was hav-
Ing hard work. and jumped into the water.
He grabbed Kennedy: and the latter
neck. Hall released that hold as 1t cut
off his breath. He took hold Of Kennedy
again, who was making frantic efforts to
reach something with his hands. He took
hold OF Halls bathing suit, pulling him be-
low the surface
Hall tried to bring his friend up with
him. but he became exhausted and freed
himself until he could rise to the sur
face and get some air. Kennedy did not
again come to the suface.
Hall and Turner took a note Of the loca-
ton Of the spot where Kenneday had gone
down and then rowed for shore At the
bath house. where J. Hekimian and his as
sistant. c. E. Turner, were sitting the two
boys told what had happened. Both were
crying and they told their story between
sobs.
The two life guards at the bathing beach,
H. Wilkerson and Eugene Green, lost no
time in getting out on to the waters of the
basin. as did also Mr.. Hekmian. DR.. Will
lam B. Hudson was also summoned, and he
was soon In boat and at the scene Of the
drowning. The launch Major Sylvester.
with acting Harbormaster Dean In charge.
in response, proceeded to the tidal basin
and employed the graphing hooks in
search for the body.
When the drowning occurred, as stated
the boys rowed for shore. On that ac-
count the place where the body IL. to be
found IL notsaccurately known, and a con-
siderable area must be dragged over. The
searching party. in small uncovered boats,
worked while the heavy rain was falling
In the effort to get the body.
Coroner to Hold Inquest.
Policeman Waters Of the third precinct
went at once. to the tidal basin and inves-
tigated the case and secured the names OF
the witnesses. to be summoned for the in
quest. Coroner hewitt was also notified.
Hall and Turner, the Companions Of the
dead boy. aided the searching parties for
time, hoping to rescue Kennedy, but
finally returned to their homes to relate
the circumstances of the drowning to Ken
day had accompanied them yesterday while
swimming In the tidal basin and seemed
to be familiar with the water yesterday.
For that reason they felt that he could tack
care Of himself today.
The fifth precinct authorities were asked
to notify the parents of the drowned boy,
and Policeman Skinner Of that precinct
went to the house. The father Of the boy,
1t is said, is a plumber.
Up to a late hour this afternoon the body
had not been recovered. The harbormas-
ter.s crew will continue the work during
the daytime, or until the body is found.