The Washington times., 1908-02-17
SON NOT SUICIDE.
SAYS STEVENSON,
GOES TO NEWPORT

Representative HalvOr Steenerson of
Minnesota today secuted the report that
his son. Benjamin q. Steenerson, COM
mitted suicide yesterday with a COM
paniOn on the north end of Conanicut
point. in Narragansett bay. by jumping
of the deck OF the tugbOat Annie r.
Wood He said that, on the CONTRARY,
his son lost his life in vain endeavor
10 rescue his companion, John NJ. McIn-
tosh. who was either pushed of the tug
OF endeavored to end his life by jump
ing OF. Before leaving his apartments
in the Cairo for Newport, r. l.. Mr..
Steenerson reiterated his statements
that any report stating that his son had
committed suicide was grOundless.
Both men were pTivates IN the Ma
rine Corps. Steenerson having enlisted
from East Grand Forks, October a,
1907, and Mcintosh from Pittsburg, Feb
ruary 10 1904. The latter's term OF en-
hstment had about expired.
Newport Police Investigate.
The police of Newport are investigat-
ing the case 10 determine whether or
Lot il is an accident. or a suicide On
the part of one, and attempted rescue
by his companion. or homicide. Several
versions OF the affair have been ad-
Vanced on account of the conflicting
e%--N-
the tugboat
According to the skipper, both men
jumped overheard of Conanicut Point.
ore of whom was IN civilian dress and
the other in inform Of a marine.
Ine civilian, supposed to have
been Mclntg. .It under, and was
Let seen agaI.. .yteenersOn rose to the
surface. and was hauled alongside the
tug Dy boat hooks, but just as he was
ABOUT TO be brought on board, slipped
Goat of his coat and disappeared beneath
tho surface Of the water.
Claim They Jumped Of.
Several of the members OF the crew
of the Annie r Wood claim that the
two men suddenly jumped of the tug
into the water. The police have placed
Emil Olsen. who was on the tug, under
Grle est TO be held as a witness. There is
said to have been dispute between the
twu marines and Olsen concerning the
e3El.l OF the United States 70 whip
ARK. Blows were struck as a re-
cd, oi the argument. and Olsen has
T.s..k .kened eye. During the encounter
- is supposed that SteenersOn was
tier pushed or feu overheard.
-sptain Rich says Steenerson refused
70 lab a lfe-preserver. and that he
saaA 10 the bottom few minutes
81 ! both men had been drinking, and
Gas they jumped overheard when on
L.raricut Point. The boat was i'm
ga ately stopped, he said, and every
e.. lrt was made 10 rescue the men,
Steenerson's father visited him on
Gl-.stmas in the Marine BaTIaCKs,
ere the young man was a great fav-
pTi-e. He stated this morning that the
telegram announcing the death Of his
son did not contain any information as
10 whether the bodies CT the men had
been recovered. Nothing new was re-
ceiVed this morning.
Sreenerson. or s'Steeny," as he was
mere fondly called by the boys Of
George Washington University. repre-
eented the institution on the football
InId for four years He was captain
and quarterback Of the team in 1906 and
was rated as one of the hardest play
crs that ever fought for the Buff and
Gray. he was twice picked on the all
Southern eleven.
Steenerson graduated in law with hon
Ors and was considered to be one of
the most popular members OF the 'O6
class He was member Of the Delta
Tau Daita Fraternity.