The Washington herald., 1909-10-19

His hands deep in the pockets Of long
black overcoat. and his face almost hid
den by the rim OF a black slouch hat
pulled low over his eyes. a well-dressed
white man Of mysterious identity walked
across q wharf at Twelfth and o streets
southeast last night and jumped into the
Eastern Branch. disappearing almost in
stantly.
He did not reappear
Bernard Berry. OF ia Twelfth street
southeast, and Arthur Rome, Of 1906 E
street southeast, were standing on the
wharf and saw the man plunge over
board. They ran to the edge Of the wharf
and watched for several minutes in the
hope of seeing the man come to the sur
face.
When they realized he had been in the
water long enough to be drowned, and
that looking for him would be OF no
avail, they turned and ran from the
scene. A few minutes later they found
a policeman and told him OF the strange
occurrence.
Police Were Notified.
Word was telephoned to the Fifth pre-
cinct station. Capt. Williams sent po-
lice reserves TO the wharf, where police
men used graphing hooks for several
hours In an attempt to recover the body.
Several boats manned by fishermen were
rowed back and forth over the spot
where the suicide went down. The police
boat reached the scene. and assisted in
the search until nearly midnight.
When the work was abandoned by the
police, there were nearly 100 persons IN
tho vicinity. who were anxious TO learn
the identity Of the man as soon as the
body was pulled from the water
Until an early hour this morning tele-
phone calls we're received at police head
quarters from persons who had heard OF
the suicide. and feared for the safety Of
missing relatives or friends.
Berry and Rome We're questioned by
the police in the hope OF gaining infor-
nation about the appearance OF the sui
eide, in order TO throw light on his iden-
tity. Neither Of the men who saw the
man go to his death could give more than
a general description OF him
According 10 Berry, the drowned man
was about five feet ten inches in height
and weighed about 40 pounds Rome said
his face was smooth shaven. but he as
serted he could not be positive OF the
fact, as the man had his overcoat but
toned around his chin and his hat pulled
so low over his eyes as to conceal his
features
Berry and Rome had been fishing on
the wharf I'm the afternoon. and about
6:15 o'clock they gathered their tackle
and started home. They had walked
about 100 yards from the end OF the dock
when they saw a man approaching in the
darkness. They were talking, and gave
little attention TO the stranger.
According TO the witnesses, he was
walking rapidly. and did not look at
them as he passed. The rapid footbeats
OF the man on the wharf caused Berry
and Rome to turn and look after him.
Wonder where that fellows Eoing?"
said Berry.
Hes in a hurry. ANYWAY" renl,ed
Rome.
Hurried Across the Dock.
AS the two men stood looking the
stranger hurried across the dock. He
did not stop or look around. and both
noticed that when he jumped both hands
were in the pockets Of his overcoat. Thev
heard a loud splash as the man plunged
into the water. and in a second had
reached the spot rrom which he had
leaped. Although Berry and Rome looked
in every direction. they could see no trace
of the man. His hat disappeared with
him.
At this point in the Eastern Branch the
current is swift. and It is believed that
II he came to the surface the river had
carried him ont of rirhf nf 1hn man On