Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-17
DEATH |NVADES
CAMP ORDWAY
Private Leslie M. Rood Drowned
in Potomac River.
WAS A REGULAR SOLDIER
No Authentic Account Regarding the
Sad Occurrence.
HEAVY RAIN INTERRUPTS DRILL
Battery Reaches Camp After Long,
Hot March-Spectacular Day
Early in Schedule.
No Authentic Account Regarding the
Sad Occurrence.
HEAVY RAIN INTERRUPTS DRILL
Special From a stan Correspondent

Special From STAFF Correspondent
CAMP ORDWAY. BOLIVAR HEIGHTS,
W. Va, July 1.-THE first tragedy in con-
nection with an outing of the National
Guard Of the District of Columbia and an
incident that has cast gloom over the en-
tire camp. accumulated by dismal rainy
weather. occurred shortly after u o'clock
this morning. Private Leslie NJ. Rood a
popular member of Troop G. 18th United
States Cavalry, has passed away. He lost
his life by drowning in the Potomac river
having fallen from the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad bridge over which trains cross
from Mary Iand 10 the passenger station at
Harpers Ferry.
All manner OF rumors and reports were
current in camp this morning in reference
TO the affair. II was asserted that mem
Der OF The National Guard had been drown
ed in the Shenandoah river at the point set
aside for bathing: that soldier had lost
his life in the mill race near the pulp mill
on the Shenandoah. and that the mere find
of a campaign hat had given rise to the
statement that a drowning had occurred,
but that the Individual to whom the hat be-
lonEed had later been located, alive and
well
The facts are. however. that Private
Reed and party of men in uniform last
evening visited Harpers Ferry, and later
I. 3.
near the Maryland end of the railroad
bridge. The place is several miles from
camp. Drinking. II is stated. was INDUCED
In and members of the party do not APP
pear to he exactly clear as to just how
the drowning happened.
Conflicting Statements.
One statement is that while crossing the
bridge returning TO Harpers Ferry, Rood =
hat was blown into the river and that in
OF In ba nh In OF, 4,
Another report sets forth that as the hat
left his head Rood grapped for 1t, lost his
balance and topped into the stream. His
companions procured a boat, but only re-
covered the hat.
Mai Dickman. commanding the squad
ron OF the 18th Cavalry in camp here dis
matched a non-Commi sSioned officer and
"A detail! TO the scene after daylight. anC
the body was found and taken to Spen
GERS
1t is the intention to hold an inquest there
late today. The disposition to be made
of the body has not yet been determined
Relatives OF the deceas d have been mott
fled of the occurrence.
Rood was twenty-three years of age anC
a native OF Pittsield Mass. He enlisted il
March 1915
Extraordinary precautions have been takel
TO prevent accidents in the water, so far a
The ruardsmen are concerned. Hours are
specided for bathing and a non-commis
stoned officer OF the headquarters guard Is
AT the scene of the bathing during the
hours In question.
Rain Comes Copiously.
Most OF the guardsmen, especially com
pany officers and men. had an unexpected
rest this morning. The intention was Il
work hard in an endeavor to give the gov
eminent full value for the money invested
The companies that to remain her,
until the conclusion OF the camp period in
tended To have close-order drill from
O'Clock until IL o'clock. divided one houi
each. into the school of the company. schoo
of the battalion and school of the regiment