The Washington herald., 1909-04-20
BOYS DEATH BRINGS
STORM ON BOATMEN
For % Cents 0Ee Aided in
Drowning, Says Father.
APPEALED TO COMMISSIONERS
Bereaved PareHtUrness Stringent Reg
uIatiOnS Governing Rental Of Craft
10 Children. ''tO Prevent Other Par
ents' Hearts Being Broken In Same
way''-Lad's Body Is Recovered.

The body OF Elmer Lacey thirteen
years OLD. son OF J. Elmer Lacey. OF s07
New York avenue northwest. who was
drowned IN the Tidal Basin Sunday after
noon. was recovered shortly after 8
O'Clock yesterday evening by Vincent
Simmeu. Of 300 { street southwest
Simmel was in one Of the boats Of the
Harbor precinct police and caught the
body with graphing hooks about 800
yards from the point where the boy dis
appeared beneath the water. The body
was taken TO the morgue and later to an
undertaking establishment An inquest
viii be held this morning.
All Sunday night and yesterday the
Harbor police and scores of citizens drag
ged the waters OF the basin Eight boats
were roped together. and in this fashion
patroTed the waters The boats were in
charge Of Lieut.. Sutton. commanding the
Harbor precinct. assisted by Sergt. Dean
and several privates and citizens.
Body Finally Recovered.
Practically every foot Of the waterway
had been covered when the sun began 70
sink yesterday evening and the sesrchers
were about 10 give up the hunt for the
night. believing the body had been wash
cd out into the river. when SimmeH gave
a shout and hauled up bis hooks The
/ body was irnpaled on them. Simmell was
directly hack OF the greenhouse Of the
Executive Mansion when he caught the
body.
: When Coroner hewitt was notified OF the
finding of the body, he gave permission
10 have the remains removed 70 an Under
takers. TO be prepared for burial. The
funeral services viii be held at o'clock
+ this afternoon. In the chapel in Gienwood
Z Cemetery. where interment VIII be Rev.
/ George u. HaveH. formerly spiritual ad-
+ wiser al the Peoples Mission. and q per-
sonal friend Of the dead boys father, viii
conduct the services
I Young Lacey was rowing IN a small
+ boat with his brother Homer and Dewey
/ Neil. ten years old. Sunday afternoon.
( The youngsters tried to pull through the
I Tidal Basin food gates. One OF them
( became exhausted IN trying % breast the
+ swift current. and the boat was turned
Sideways and capslzed- AL three young
/ sters were thrown into the water. Homer
( Lacey and Dewey Neil were rescued by
two negroes. but young Elmer never rose
! u the surface.
Father Pleads for Others.
J. Elmer Lacey. father Of the boy, yes
terday afternoon sent the following letter
/ 70 the District Commissioners:
/ Gentlemen: Eszt to euter complaint ssaias;
she party who ht-sd boat tc ny thirteen-yezr-od
D beys twins
/ Tie pzrty IS located AZ tie Ninth street wharf.
This nan greedy fcE 3 cents that he nsTe-
hesiJsted OF eTs1 warned the snail boys of ter
danger
As you have safsS1sr5sd chldrea against toy ris-
tols snd cigarettes, Il SEEMS 70 ne a distracted
parent that the hiring q beats 70 children should
be prohibited BY lsE.
For 3 ceuts he Contributed to the oanse of rly
child's death. and We the parents SIT o. pace the
foor hoping and praying that the BODY nay be -
covered
You cauno, restore our darling 70 Us bit you can
prevent other parents hearts beng broken IL this
way. Yours very truly.
J. ELMER LACEY.
Detective Investigates Case.
Mai. Sylvester. upon hearing OF the ac-