The Washington herald., 1908-06-29

John McCalip, twenty-five years old, an
electrician employed in the new Office
building for the House Of Representatives,
was drowned yesterday morning in
Broad Creek. about Ave miles below
Alexandria, Va, on the Maryland side
The body was recovered by members OF
the Harbor police. and is now at the
morgue
McCalip was the son Of Frank McCalip.
a statistician in the chronological branch
of the Geological Survey. He was engag-
ed to be married to Miss Julia Hanna. OF
Charlottesville. Ind, the ceremony to
have taken place IN few weeks.
The young electrician was in bathing
from the yacht Duchess when he was
drowned. His only companion was
Harold White. employed in the same
ofice. So far as can be learned. McCalip
was seized with cramps and drowned be-
fore White could give aid
Started on n Trip.
White and McCalip started from Wash
ington Saturday afternoon on their sloop
yacht They intended going to Colonial
Beach. Yesterday morning they anchored
IN Broad Creek, and decided 10 take a
swim before eating breakfast. They swan
around for short time. and then White
returned TO the sloop. He was sitting in
the cockpit summing himself when he heard
McCalip. who was some distance from the
boat call for help. He stood up and saw
his friend disappear beneath the water.
He dived and swan to the place where
McCalip had gone down. His friend did
not come up, and after swimming around
for short time. he drove stakes In the
river TO mark the spot where McCalip
went down.
Swimming TO the yacht. White dressed
and sailed 20 Alexandria, where he noti-
fed Lieut. Smith OF the drowning Sew
eral policemen from Alexandria went TO
the scene in small boats. and Commodore
Sutton. OF the HarboT precinct in Wash
ingtcn. was notified. Shortly before noon
the police boat Vigilant steamed into
Broad Creek and the crew began to Crap
pie for the body. After about three
hours work, the body was caught and
secured. The police brought the body
10 Washington and placed II in the
morgue.
When the body was recovered. Detec-
tive Barbee. Of the Central office, was
dispatched 10 the home Of young Nc
Calip. at the Naples. rs Nineteenth
street, 10 notify his parents Of the drown |
ing. None Of the family was able to |
look at the body. and Lawson Stone. |
family friend. took charge Of the ar
raEgements.
McCalip was born and reared I'm Craw- /
fordsvile Ind. He studied electricity |
and later became a practical electrician |
He worked in Indiana until three years |
ago. when his father came to Washing /
ton and took his present position in the 1
Geological Survey. Young McCalIp trav-
eled through the Middle West and South /
ern States until about a year ago. when |
he came TO Washington. Last summer
he was engaged in the chronological
branch Of the survey at Norfolk. work
ing on the coal tests. When that work
was finished he came 70 Washington.
and In March went 20 work at the House
office building.
Last winter McCalp and White bought
the yacht upon which they started 10
make the trip 20 Colonial Beach. They
worked diligently the latter part Of the
winter refttlng and repairing t. Last
week the sloop was launched
Met Girl in CrnwfOrdsvIlIe.
McCalip met the girl to whom he was
engaged while attending school in Craw-
fordsville. The two were sweethearts
from the time they were in short clothes
The wedding had been delayed until Nc
Calip should have overcome certain busi-
ness obstacles. and he had just accom-
plished them. Seeing nothing 10 prevent
the marriage taking place Immediately,
he is said 10 have made all arrangements
TO either go 70 Charlottesville or have his
sweetheart come here within the next
ten days or two weeks.
Young McCalips body will be shipped
TO his old home in Indiana tomorrow.
He Is survived by his father and
mother and one sister. Mabel.