Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-11
LOSES LIFE IN RIVER
Rev. Francis GoIdbach Drown
ed as Result of Accident.
OVERTURNING OF A CANOE
Two Boys Accompanying Him Res
cued and Sent to Hospital.
SUFFERING FROM THE SHOCK
Dead Priest Was Instructor in
Georgetown University Preparatory
School-Body Recovered.
OVERTURNING OF A CANOE
SUFFERING FROM THE SHOCK

Rev. Francis Goldbach, S. J., pro-
fesSor of classics at the preparatory
school of Georgetown University, lost his
life in Little river yesterday afternoon
shortly before o'clock as result of
the overturning of a canoe.
Outerbridge and Warwick Montgomery,
fourteen and fifteen years old. respect
lively, sons of w. E. Montgomery of 1743
Rhode Island avenue northwest, and
nephews of Chief Justice Edward ID.
White of the United States Supreme
Court, who We're in the canoe at the time
the accident happened, were rescued by
George Spencer, colored.
Members of the crew of the police boat
recovered the body of Father Goldbach
about 30 o'clock this morning, and 1t
wes taken to Georgetown University Hos
pital to await Coroner Nevitt's investi-
cation and the issue of the necessary
death certificate. Relatives of the de-
ceased came here today from Baltimore
to make arrangements for the funeral
. The watch in the pocket of the priest
stopped at 4:52 o'clock. 1t is presumed
that death occurred about that time
Many persons about the river front par
hc1pated In the search for the body, being
so engaged until long after midnight.
In Shallow Water.
The water is only three or four feet
deep about the spot where the drowning
occurred, and as the instructor was an
expert swimmer it is thought his drown
ing resulted from his being attacked by
cramp or that he was dragged down by
the weight of his water-soaked clothing.
yesterday afternoon the instructor sug-
sested 70 his two pupils that a canoeing
trip on the river might be enioyed and
the boys quickly agreed to accompany
nm. A few minutes later they were
crossing the river just below the Aoue-
Duct bridge. The trip through the mar
row channel at the head Of Analostan
island was made without incident. bur
While on Little river. some distance from
the mead OF the island, Warwick Mont
Somery, who was seated in the bow of
'ne poat., dropped an orange overheard.
Inc oVerturning of the canoe followed
the efforts made to recover the orange.
rather Goldbach, who was seated in the
middle seat of the canoe, made an effort
10 grasp the orange, one of the boys
thus thrown to oneA side careened the
craft and finally overturned it,
instructor and pupils found themselves
IN the emily water and the life struggle
was begun. Father Goldbach told the
boys to cling to the boat. The lads had
no fear for the safety of their instructor
they said, knowing he was an expert
swimmer. From their perilous position
they saw the priest apparently making
good progress in the direction of the
shore They saw him on his back float
ing, but presently he went beneath the
surface of the water. Becoming alarmed,
the boys screamed Justify for help, and
George Spencer. who heard their out
cries, responded.
Rescue Of the Boys.
Running to the river shore, Spencer
procured a boat and soon rowed out to
where the boys were cIinging to the
frail craft, assisted them into his boat
and letting the canoe go adrift, Spencer
hurried with the boys in the direction
Of the bridge. He soon landed and re-
manned with the lads until they were
taken to. the Georgetown University
Hospital in an automobile by Walter
Weaver.
Soon after the accident boatmen" about
Georgetown began dragging for the body.
The harbor precinct boat reached the
scene of the drowning later in the after
noon and participated in the search The
boys were suffering from shock and cold
When they reached the hospital, but it
was believed they were not seriously
harmed by their experience
rather Goldbach was native of Balti-
more, and was twenty-eight years old
He was ordained at Loyola College, Bal
tlmore, and had been connected with
Georgetown University since August,
lSOI He was general favorite with
was an athlete. and fond of outdoor
sports. and always willing to share his
pleasures with the students. His parents
reside in Baltimore, and brother is a
professor at Johns Hopkins University
Funeral services for Father Goldbach
will probably be held Thursday morning.
with interment in the cemetery of George
town University.