Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-10
RECOVERY OF THE BODY
REMAINS OF MELVIN CLEVELAND
FOUND IN LOWER RIVER.

1t is expected that the body of Melvin L.
Cleveland a member of the Naval Battal-
ion of the National Guard of the District
of Columbia, who was drowned In the river
a short distance above Colton's Point the
Goth of November last, will reach here to-
night The body was recovered yesterday
morning not far from where the fatal &C
cident occurred, and the parents of the
deceased boy, Mr.. and Mrs. William G.
Cleveland. went down the river yesterday
afternoon and identified the body being
that of their son. The body was badly
decomposed, and the Identification was
made chiefly by the clothing. The message
conveying the information of the finding of
the body was received by telephone from
Mr.. Ellis, who resides at Palmer's post
office.
Mr. Cleveland this morning telephoned
that he and his wife had identified the
body. and that they will return home to-
night with it.
Melvin Cleveland. according to the story
told of the affair at the time of the acct
dent occurred. went on watch in the power
launch of the Oneida, which was being
towed behind the ship with a fifteen fathom
line, at o'clock the morning in question.
In the stern of the Oneida another man
was stationed. whose sole duty was to
watch the towline. to give prompt notice
in case of accident. At 5:45 o'clock, when
tlle yacht WAS Il snort distance above the
wharf at Colton's Point, the towline man
noticed that there was something wrong in
the boat. 1t was just before dawn and too
dark to see clearly. The launch took sud-
den move to starboard and Cleveland gave
a cry. The man on watch in an instant ran
to the engine room door and yelled to stop
the engine that there was man over
board. The engine was stopped in few
seconds.
The lifeboat was in the water and away
from the ship in a minute after the alarm
was given, and it was followed at once by
the wherry and other boats. The Oneida
and the small boats cruised about the scene
of the accident for two or three hours. but
no trace was found of the missing man.
When the launch was examined it was
found right side up, but partially full of
water. 1t could have foated a half dozen
men. as 1t was an unsuitable boat, being
provided with air tanks to keep it afioat
When Cleveland went into the boat his
shipmates say he had on a pair of new rub
Der boots, two sweaters and a pea jacket
over his regular uniform. and had a SOU
wester tied under his chin. Though he is
said to have been an expert swimmer. it is
not probable that he was able to stay long
on the surface of the water burdened as he
was with heavy clothing.
AS soon as it was ascertained for a GER
tainty that Cleveland had been drowned
help was secured from the large fleet of
hshing vessels anchored at Coltons, and
though dozen vessels spent the greater
part of the day dragging for the body, it
was not found, and the Oneida was forced
to sail for home without it.
The parents of the boy were notified of
the sad occurrence and every effort was
made to recover the body. The river was
dragged and the shores were closely
guarded, but nothing was seen of the body
until yesterday morning, when it fioated
ashore. 1t is supposed that when the boy
was drowned his body went to the bottom
of the river. where 1t was probably held
by the ledge of an oyster bar.
&c oft
be removed to the home of the parents of
the deceased, As Florida avenue. Tomorrow
or Wednesday the body will be taken to
New Britain, Conn.,, for nterment.