Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-11-23
DRAG THE POTOMAC
. FOR J. v. CRAWFORD
Police in Quest of Admiral
DeWey's Secretary.
MAY HAVE ENDED HIS LIFE
Intended to Commit Suicide, Accord
ing to Letter.
NAMES A FRIEND EXECUTOR
Coat and Hat Found on Deck Of
Ferry Boat-Financial
Trouble Suggested.


Lieut.. John w. Crawford, L. 5. n,
secretary to Admiral Dewey, mail
ed to Bennett A. Allen. chief of the
division of accounting OF the Post
Office Department, contained the
statement that the writer intended
to do away with himself. The let
ter was postmarked 6:.3o O'Clock
pm. yesterday, and its contents
startled Mr.. Allen, who was close
personal friend of Lieut.. Crawford.
Shortly before Mr.. Allen reached
headquarters last evening to re-
quest the assistance of the police in
the matter the latter had received
coat and hat belonging to the
writer of the letter, found on the
deck of the ferryboat Lackawanna.
suggesting that the owner had
Jumped overheard.
AS soon as Mr.. Allen had stated his re-
quest to Lieut. Peck. the ranking officer
on duty at police headquarters at night.
the latter told him OF the recovery of the
coat and hat. causing Mr.. Allen to believe
his friend had committed suicide, as
threatened. The hat and coat were fully
Identified. as were two pencils and
handkerchief found in the pockets of the
coat. the initial "J." having been en-
broidered on the handkerchief
Mr.. Allen was deeply affected by the
occurrence. He and Lieut.. Crawford had
been close personal friends for long
time, and there had never been anything
in the conduct of the naval officer to in
dicate unhappiness on his part. Why he
should have decided upon such course.
Mr.. Allen was unable to understand. al
though there was suggestion Of finan-
cial trouble in the letter.
Possibility of Financial Trouble.
II have no idea what caused him finan-
cial trouble" Mr.. Allen stated at police
headquarters last night. He received a
salary of s2.JOO and a rent allowance OF
$40. He did not gamble nor was he vic
tim of drink. and. so far as l know, he
had no bad habits
The letter Mr.. Allen received. he said
contained much information Of personal
nature and he would not turn 1t over to
the police. He read. however, portions
which dealt with the question of the con-
templated act.
Lieut.. Crawford addressed Mr.. Allen as
Dear Friend" and wrote: II am going
to do away with myself No doubt when
this reaches you the act will have been
accomplished
Lieut. Crawford also wrote request
that Mr.. Allen act as administrator or nus
affairs and remarked that his wife wouid
be shocked when she heard the news
Mr. Allen today stated that he had llt'ie
doubt that Lieut.. Crawford was dead.
Crawford ii is said, left debts aaggresat-
ing approximately $ihD, and In note
he sent his wife he stated explicitly that
the Indebtedness had accumulated TOO
much but that it WIS not due to specu-
lation or gambling. In the note ne Tor
warded to Allen he stated that II tne
rights of one who takes his own life would
permit he would ike to be buried In the
National cemetery at Arlington, Va. but
otherwise he expressed wish to nave ms
body cremated. He also left hurriedly
executed will and asked that his friend
break the news 10 mis- wife and give To
her the papers he had carefully made OUT
showing his Indebtedness
At the Ferry Wharf.
The last trace of Lieu. Crawford placed
him aboard the Alexandria ferry boat.
whicn left the local wharf at the foot
of 7th street southwest at q O'Clock last
evening Crawford reached the wharf
about five minutes before o clock. ard
he went directly to the ticket window
There he bought a one way TIC ticker 10 TO
a quarter in payment. q. n. NOVEL;.
the ticket agent. recalls the transaction
with man answering th' description OF
Lieut.. Crawford. and after the tcket
agent had returned the 20 cents change
he say Crawford proceed to the front OF
the wharf Almost Immediately Craw-
ford turned around and walked onto the
boat.
The first stop was at the steel plant
at Ciesboro Point While the boat was
making the run there. which requires
about twelve minutes. John Underwood,
an emp,oye of the boat, says that ne re-
mained on the stern and he dld not see
Crawford in that part OF the boat at
that time.
Time Was Propitious.
The Boat made a bow landing at the
steel plant wharf, the stern being out In
the river 1t is believed that II Lieut..
Crawford jumped from the boat he leaped
while II was making the stop at the steel
plant. The passengers were all forward.
BY that time darkness had settled over
the river.
Alexandria Capt Marmaduke saw what
looked like bundle of clothing behind
crate on the stern, but he thought that A
member of the crew had placed the gar
ments there. On the return trip Frank
LucKett. first mate, noticed the coat and
hat The articles were turned over to
Detective Larry O'Dea of the harbor pre-
cinct when the boat arrived here. He no.
titled police headquarters at once, and re-
called seeing the man who wore the coat
and hat waiting on the wharf before the
boat left Washington, and from the de-
scription he identified him as Lieut. Craw-
ford.
Search for the body of the missing lieu
tenant was begun early this morning.
both of the .'olice launches the Vigilant
and the Major Sylvester. going down the
river with graphing hooks. Mai Syl-
vester took an active interest I'm the
search. and he telcohoned Instructions tn
the harbor precinct in regard to making
t thorough.
Search Without Success.
Back and forth along the channel Of the
ferryboat between the steel plant and
Shepherds Point. the crews of the two