The Washington herald., 1909-11-07
HOODOO CIRCLE AT WORK
Gypsy Curse Verified in Deaths of Three Officials in
Washington.

side the chief Justices house at Elgh-
teenth and F streets northwest, dead.
He had leaped from a sccond-story win
dow IN tie night What drove him to
his death mas never been fully divulEed.
He left a beautiful wife and two small
children. Every prospect Of success was
his AT the time OF his death. II was the
beginning OF the gypsy's threat coming
true.
The circle was broken. But still Craw-
I ford and Barnes kept W the old com
partnership. They were both stronger
characters than Yorke. and neither
.=fred that the chain Of evl circum-
stances would continue IN their lives.
Lieut.. Crawford was an ambitious man.
so much SO that he was not satisfied ~
the position of Dewey's secretary, but
wished 10 be q notable himself His
/ position enabled him to live lUxuriousiy.
I he had a pleasant home. and a beavu-
full daughter Just budding into early
womanhood. He was prominent in - NJ
l c. A. circles, was an officer o. The
! Amateur Athletic League, and the teach
er OF a big Bible class at the First Con-
I gregational Church.
But the ambitious Lieutenant was not
/ satisfied. He graduated from the Ma
tional Law School with highest honors.
studied French and German 10 further
perfect himself. and thirsted for the hour
when he might exhibit his forensic
powers before the bar. His ambition
/ SCARED higher still and he saw himself
| settled IN some Western town, rise 70
honor and esteem. and finally represent
/ his district in House or Senate.
| The lieutenant felt that his election
would be a comparatively easy matter.
3 - FvrTr
the West? And. then, his personal friends
were from among the highest officials in
the country. But he did not feel able 10
! foresake his position, his good govern
ment Job Of $500 a year. and start out
anew. This would entail the sacrifice Of
! the savings Of years, and this he was not
willing TO do.
! He grew more and more melancholy.
! He speculated IN stocks. wrote news
| paper stories on the side-eyerything 10
try 20 earn more money. A fatal specu-
Iation involved nearly all his savings.
So he calmly and coolly. IN manner
that seems 10 point 20 insanity. chose a
dramatic moment when the international
| convention Of the Y. NJ. c. A. was in
convention in Washington, November %.
1877, and after writing letters 10 his wife
and Admiral Dewey, took a ferryboat 20
N
way between the shores jumped 10 his
death in the waters of the Potomac.
His close friends were loath 70 believe
that he had really made away with him
self. They chose rather TO think that
he had merely thrown a false clew out
70 the world gone West. and, under the
guise OF another name, devoted himself
to the working out OF his destiny as a
lawyer as he had so often planned. The
| Washington chief OF police shared this
view, and was quoted as saying he could
have him back in town on two days
notice. II necessary
Two months after the disappearance a
negro boy at play in Southern Maryland
discovered body In the water 1t was
drawn out. and a thrilling inquest, held
over the body by the country coroner
in the light of the pine torches, disclosed
the fact that the corpse was Lieut.. John
Wesley crawford Papers and insurance
receipts found on the body fully identified
il, and it was returned 10 washington
and buried in suicides row IN Arlington
Cemetery.
Thus another third OF the curse came
true II is said the fatal deaths OF his
chums induced melancholy 10 Postmaster
Barnes He became nervous. and prob
ably fully believed the ancient curse OF
the gypsy would soon fall on him. His
predecessor as postmaster had died fall
ing down an elevator shaft IN the post
Office. and Afr. Barnes had his Office re-
moved from the third to the first floor.
and refused absolutely 20 ride in the
elevator.
But two years after the death OF Lieut.
b Crawford the curse is thus strangely and
: weirdly fUlalled In Barnes sudden death.
, Who shall say that il was not az least a
r wonderful insight into the future that
made that gypsy woman know the future
2 fate OF the three rOllicking schOolboys
E who Knocked herr The mystic circle has
= done its work.