Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-24
DEATH BY DROWNING
David Pfeifer Writes Note and
Commits Suicide.
"G00D-BYE. IT'S ALL OVER"
Jumps Into Muddy Water of Tidal
Basin and Disappears.
DRAGGING FOR THE BODY
Recent Arrest on Charge of Making
Handbook May Have
Caused the Act.
31NG FOR THE BODY

David Pfeifer, torty-nine years old, who
was recently arrested on a charge of hav-
ing made a handbook on the races. wrote
the foregoing message on a piece Of wrap
ping paper, tucked it away under the sweat
band of his hat and jumped overheard in
the muddy water at the Tidal basin about
1890 o'clock this morning. Mrs. L. E.
Greenwell, the sister to whom the note was
addressed, resides at 5O8 Sth street south
west. She was advised of the affair at her
home about noon, and was greatly af-
fected.
why did he do it?" she moaned. He
was here this morning, but he never said
a word about taking his life"
Many friends Of the deceased knew him
as Dave Fugitt, the name Of his step
father. For number of years he had been
a familiar figure about poolrooms and other
similar places
All Right at Breakfast.
Dave Pfeiffer was forty-nine years Of
age and unmarried. He occT"'cd a room at
the home of his nephew. AZ and K streets
southwest, and took his meals at the house
Of his sister to whom he addressed the
n~te. He was at the breakfast table this
morning. as usual, and let the house
shortly thereafter. not saying where he
was going. The next his sister heard Of
him was when reporters called at the house
and Informed her that he had killed him
self. 1t is supposed that Pfeifer proceeded
directly from the house to tle Highway
bridge He was saen walking along the
wall about the tidal basin not far from the
outlet, his hands behind him and apparent
ly In deep thought.
A few minutes after he was seen on the
wall he walked in the direction of the foot
or 14th street. He walked across the
grass, threw his derby hat under a bush
and plunged, head first, into the muddy
water.
/ Il could have saved him If I had had
assistance, Michael Ready, who was work
in1in the park near where Pfeifer jumped
overheard, remarked but l had nothing
summon help" -.-.-..-.
Witnesses of Act.
Thomas w. Abell. 416 G street southeast
and William White, whose home Is at 4s0
Virginia avenue southwest, also witnessed
the affair, but they were on the opposite
side of the basin. Park Watchman James
OBrien, another who saw Pfeifer before
he jumped overheard, picked up the hat
and found the note. He notified the police
of the affair, and the crew of the police
boat hurried to the tidal basin to drag .or
the body Drivers and pedestrians who
were on their way through that portion OF
Potomac Park stopped to inquire why the
basin was being dragged. and several Of the
curious ones said that they had known
Dave, as they called him.
Less than a week ago Pfeifer was ar
rested by Lieut. Hartley, Sergt Lee and
Detective Grant and charged with having
made n handbook on the races.
The arrest caused much surprise among
those who play the races through the hand
books and among the makers of books
themselves. There had been no apparent
activity In the crusade for several weeks
and 1t was thought apparently that Prose-
cutor Given was giving his attention to the
cases which had already been presented to
the court and was using the officers to hunt
for the witnesses in those cases.
The police and the prosecuting attorney
however, 1t is understood, were advised
that an attempt had been made to revive
the business, and attention was Immediate
ly directed to the matter. The capture OF
Pfeifer was the result.
Placed Bets With Pfeifer.
According to the police. they received in
formation from persons who claim to have
placed bets with Pfeifer, but who were
not, in their opinion, fully paid off on their
winnings. A poo, was made up last July
and it is asserted by the authorities a
lump of money was placed with Pfefer by
two men who were in the pool. The bet
was placed on Wardine, horse that was
running well at Brighton Beach, with odds
at 40 to /. The pool won the bet, and the
interested parties called for their money
There were several members of the pool.
each anxious to get his money. The men
who placed the bet maintained that the
party with whom it was placed had
WEIGHED" and that they were unable to
collect the winnings. The members of the
pool were given promises, 1t is decIa ed.
and when they were not met the disap-
pointed ones began to talk.
jury trial was demanded by his coun-
sci, Attorney Campbell Darlington, and
bond in the sum of $1,000 was furnished
for his appearance in the Police Court.
Persons who were well acquainted with
Pfeifer say he was in the gambling busi-
ness practically all his life, having been
connected with the hackers of the policy
game here many years ago.
Recovery of Body.
The body of Pfeifer was recovered at
2:45 o'clock this afternoon by the crew of
the police boat, near the spot where the
man jumped overheard, and was taken to
the morgue.