New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-21
FOUND BODY IN POOL.
DEATH At COLUMBIA.
University Student in S5cimming
Tank T5centy-four Hours.

William Sander. a sophomore in the School OF
Applied Science, Columbia University, was
drowned in the university gymnasium swim
ming pool on Friday afternoon. and the body
remained there for twenty-four hours, while
relatives were searching for the boy and other
students were using the tank. The police had
been called upon to assist in the hunt, and it
was at their suggestion that brother of the
dead boy went to the university. There the
missing student was traced to the gymnasium
the tank was drained and the body found.
Young Sanders habits were of the best. He
was known as a conscientious student. and had
circle of friends who esteemed him. When
he did not return to his home. No. 76 Orchard
street. on Friday night. his relatives became un-
easy His father. Alexander Sander. began
making inquiries early yesterday. and sent
other son. Jacob. to Police Headquarters. Then
the boy went to the university
Jacob Sander applied to f. A. Goetz, the dean
of the School of Applied Science. who said that
young Sander might be exercising in the gym
nasium In the locker there the boys clothing
was found. Inquiries at the running track and
In the gymnasium were without result. Finally
it was decided to drain the swimming pool 1t
was then that the body was lying on the
bottom of the tank.
DR.. George L. Meylan head of the gymnasium
oneF Hamburger The body was not removed
until the coroner arrived. He and COroner's
Physician Lehane examined the body with
the assistance of DR.. Meylan. and ordered its
removal. after giving his opinion that death
was due 10 accidental drowning. The coroner
questioned the swimming instructors and said;
III there had been guards in the gymnasium
at the time. any effort had been made to keep
watchers about the swimming pool for the pro-
lection of life. the accident could not have hap
pened. If the dead boy was drowned he would
have been missed if anybody had been keeping
watch. If death preceded submersion, perhaps
little could have been done besides recovering
the body
Alfred l. Prettyman. of No 541 West 133d
street, one of the instructors, when asked.
said that the practice was TO have somebody al
ways guard on the lookout platform.
high above the swimming pool. 1t was said
that nobody on guard when Sander was
in the pool.
1t was learned that the last persons who saw
Sander were c. n Howe, OF No, 100 West 11Sth
street. and H. G. Guiteras. of No. t9S West
1O3d street. who had been I'm swimming with him
at about > o'clock Friday afternoon. II was
understood that Sander was not a skilful
swimmer. Before leaving him Howe and
Guiteras asked Sander whether he could swim.
ana ne repled tndC tney might SaIely leaVe MN.
Dr. Meylan had made physical examination
OF Sander some time ago, and had found that
his heart was In q sound condition. and that
his general physique was fair. Several students
were i'm the pool after tho boy was drowned
The tank Is 100 feet long and about 30 feet
wide. II varies in depth from four 10 ten feet.
Where the body was found the depth varies
from eight TO ten feet. Tho pool is lighted by
an arc light. When full Of water 1t is impos-
sible To see more than few feet below the
surface. that those using the tank would
not have been able to the body.
The coroner censured the authorities at the
for not having attendant con-
stantly present, and suggested that there ought
TO be more light and life raft. The authorities
made the announcement that after this an at
tendant would constantly be present at the
pool
President Butler sent the following telegram
to the boys parents:
Am shocked and deeply grieved to learn Of
your sons death. Accept assurance OF pro- |
found sympathy OF the entire university
NICHOLAS MURRAY BUTLER, President"