The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-22
Probably Drowned in Swollen
Stream Near Elko on We'd
nesday Evening.
SUICIDE THEORY DISCUSSED
Said to Have Been Acting
Strangely for Some Time
Recently.
THEORY DISCUSSED

Living beneath a little trestle about
one mile west of Elko, a station twelve
miles from Richmond on the Chesa-
peake and Ohio Railway. the body OF
Thomas b. Mcdowell. of Baltimore
was found yesterday morning by a
track walker, who went over his beat
at about o'clock. There were no
marks on tho body TO indicate that II
had been struck by a train.
officials of the Chesapeake and Ohio
and DR.. j. Fulmer Bright, acting cor
oner of Henrico county, are OF the
opinion that Mr.. Mcdowell was
drowned. perhaps long way above
the trestle.
The fact that the body was directly
under the trestle and not to one side,
and that a great deal of water ran out
of the lungs, seem fully to substan-
late this theory.
Registered ut the Jefferson.
THE supposition is that he was walk
fng\ along the stream after the heavy
4 sgn1eSway fell in. The creek was very
much swollen, and it is probable that
he got beyond his depth and was
drowned. He was in bis shirt sleeves.
end when found. had his coat gripped
in his right arm. Nothing IN ms
rockets had been disturbed.
When found the body was almost
covered with water. and was resting
on the bottom The suicide theory
has also been discussed. but as mere
conjecture
Mr.. Mcdowell had been in the city
since May 9th. He registered at 1he
Jefferson Hotel, but gave no address
IN his person there was found $50
and some small change. He also wore
badges showing that he was member
OF the Masons, knight of Pythias
and Shriner He also had watch
and other valuables. AT the hotel he
left his suit case, which contained
some clothes and little jewelry. APP
parently he was not in the city on any
business. In fact, it was stated last
night that he had come here to visit
a young lady whom he was soon 70
marry. This statement, however, could
not be verified !.
The body was turned over to an I'M
dertaker. and the mans people in
Baltimore We're notified.
His brother VIII be here this morn
ing to take the remains TO that city
after the inquest is held.
Strange Actions.
The badges found on Mr.. Mcdowell
showed that he was member OF the
Pastmasters Union, Lodge No. 60, a. ~
and A NJ, Concordia Chapter. No. ], II
a. NJ; Crusaders Commandery, No. .
X. of p, and Boumi Temple. A. A. Q
5.i M NJ. 5. during ms stay III tiie SIes
Mr.. Mcdowell had been acting rathe!
queerly, and II is thought that perhap:
his mind might have been slightly
unbalanced. The following was re
ceived last night from Baltimore
Thomas B. Mcdowell was lfty-tVt
years old and a member of the firm
of Mcdowell &. Pyle confectioners
He was a sufferer from paress, &C
cording to his family, who doubt SUI
eide, and say he must have fallen OF
the bridge. He has been acting
strangely lately however He burie'
his third wife three months ago, AM
every Sunday when in Baltimore, !
lis said, Went to her grave in Lorrain
Cemetery. and, hinging himself ORA
matically upon il, wept for man!
minutes,
His relatives say he was preparing to 6
North 10 recuperate, His nrst wife die
many years a go. He was divorced from h
second We six years ago he Is survive
BY Ia "a htcr, Mrs William Ponder; stel
daughter, Miss Bessie Iaudermann; sever.
brothers, among them, the Rev Willial
McDowel! presiding elder of East Baltlmoi
District NJ z. Church; Robert 7, Mcdowell
az Catonsvii,e; William II. and James Nj
powell of Philadelphia. Mr. William M
ISIS roweil lief, for Richmond to-day