The Washington herald., 1907-11-25
DRAGGING The RIVER
Police Boat Vigilant Searches
for CraWfOrd'S Body.
WIFE. MAKES NO STATEMENT
Has Frequently Discussed DisaP-
pearance OF the Lieutenant, but
Offers No Opinion Concerning the
Case-ADDears Completely MyStified
Concerning Her Husbands Action.

Although the police and friends of the
family have advanced several theories
concerning the disappearance of Lieut.
John w. Crawford. private secretary Of
Admiral Dewey, who is supposed to have
committed suicide by jumping overheard
from the ferryboat Lackawanna, his wife.
Mrs. Mamie Crawford. is declared TO
have as yet made no statement regard
ing her belief in the matter.
George S. Wilson. secretary OF the
Board OF Charities. who for a number Of
years has been intimately acquainted
with the family. was at the Crawford
residence. 1902 G street northwest, a con-
siderable time yesterday. He has had
tenants wife.
L have talked over the whole occur
renee with Mrs, Crawford, but as yet she
has not uttered a word to my knowledge
concerning her belief or theory as 10 her
husbands disappearance" said Mr. Will
son. at his residence last night few
minutes after he had returned from the
Crawford home
Discuss His Actions.
we IdNt ulStuSScu lllc ltuNeuail =
actions during the past six months or
year, and have talked at length regard
ing his money matters. Mrs. Crawford,
at the conclusion Of our talk said she
could not remember anything that had
happened which at the time appeared
suspicious TO her.
She seems to be completely mystified
concerning the sudden disappearance Of
Lieut. Crawford and the strange letter
he wrote TO Bennett A. Allen. telling Of
his intention 10 commit suicide She is
conversant with the newspaper reports.
and has read the several theories ad-
vanced. Mrs Crawford seems eager to
discuss the matter with any of her close
acquaintances. in the hope of throwing
some light on the subject, but at the con-
clusion of such talks she has as Yet
made no statement regarding what she
believed was the true state OF affairs At
the time Of my talk with her yesterday
she appeared TO have recovered slightly
from the effects Of the shock that fol-
lowed when the news of Lieut.. Craw-
fords disappearance was first made
known 10 her.
Personally. 1 am inclined TO believe
stated in his letter he was going to end
his life. 1 put little faith in the idea that
he is still alive and that he has fled from
this section of the country
Il can tell of no reason why the man
should have taken such an action So
far as known, his accounts are In the
best of order. In his capacity as private
secretary to Admiral Dewey, he never
had occasion 20 handle money matters.
and spent his time at clerical work His
home life was most pleasant and free
from all domestic difficulties
Regarding His Debts.
But for the fact that he mentioned in
his letter TO Mr. Allen that he had in
CURED an Indebtedness Of about s. 900. n,
one ever knew he owed any money what
soeycr. In fact, nothing is at present
Known concerning such an Indebtedness
His letter intimated there were notes
which were about to come due. but as yet
no bank or noteholder has pressed his
claim. l know he worried about his
financial troubles. and believe that while
in a respondent mood he wrote the letter
TO Mr.. Allen and then hurried TO carry
out his threat"
Crews Of the harbor police boats spent
the entire day yesterday dragging the
path taken by the ferry on Friday even
ing, but returned without recovering the
body. The police Of that precinct, wht
have had a number Of occasions 10 search
for the bodies Of drowned persons. are
of the opinion that If Lieut. Crawford
committed suicide in that manner, hi.
body Will not rise 10 the surface for foul
or five days.
The police have telegraphed the au
thOrities Of a number of towns and forti
fcations along the water front for a mum
Der Of miles down the river. and hay,
requested a sharp lookout be kept 10
the body. Fishermen and every one VIII,
has an occasion 10 be on the river at anl
time have been informed of the rewar,
that will be paid for the recovery Of tn,
remains. and have been asked TO aid il
the search.