Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-09-25
PROBE Of DEATH
Of CATCHINGS
LED BY SISTER
Family of Former Albanian Found
Dead in Florida Surf Unable
to Solve Mystery,

Members of the family of Frederick
=. Catchings, the electrical engineer
whose mutilated body was found
floating in the surf of Mayport, Fla,
Sunday afternoon, were unable TO
throw any light on the mystery when
questioned at their home, 357 Capitol
avenue, Thursday.
The theory of robbery was secuted
and the opinion was advanced that
possibly the mutilation of Catchings'
body was due to the beating Of the
waves.
Joel Mann Martin, Southern man
ager Of the Banner Electrical Works
who lives at 81 North Moreland ave
nue., and Robert S. Therrel a mer-
chandise broker with offices at POS
Rhodes Building, both intimate
friends Of the dead man, have start
ed a searching investigation, how
ever
Sister Is Mystified.
Il can not believe that Fred was
murdered and then thrown into the
surf" said Miss Nancy Catchings, a
HlSltIs Ndll ibA hAutlSldilu W llel l
motive anyone would have for COM
hitting such a deed. Fred, according
to his wife in Birmingham, carried
only a few dollars. and his check
book, therefore robbery could not
have prompted murder My brother,
even know whether he had cow
am sure. had no enemies. We don't
panion with him at rhe time.
I'VE really know very few details
concerning the tragedy. We have
tried to get into touch with Atlantic
Beach, a resort near where the body
was picked up, and where Fred was
spending his vacation, but our reports
have been unsatisfactory.
we know that my brother wrote
his wife that he intended to go out
on the shoals at the mouth of the
st Nary's River. where fish were re-
ported to be plentiful
Boat May Have Capsized.
"The marks of violence on his body
! attribute to the possibility that his
boat Capsized and that he hung TO its
side for hours in an effort to right II,
There was a storm Saturday and the
high waves might have knocked his
body against the boat
We are determined, however 10
make a thorough examination OF the
affair, This will be conducted by
two of my brothers most intimate
friends, Joel Martin and Robert Ther-
rell"
Mrs. Martha L. Catchings. mother
of the dead man, is in critical con-
dition as a result of the shock OF her
sons death.
The reports of foul play followed
an examination by Drs. Stewart RoD-
erts and Bsrfield.
This examination. il is stated dis
Css.sed numerous bruises and discoi-
orations. which has induced the the
or-v that Mr.. Catchings was muir
dered. The cuts and bruises are scat
tered profusely all over the body, the
principal disColOration being the re-
suit Of what appears to have been a
heavy blow in the chest. on the race
and skull are numerous cuts ana
bruises, and on the left forearm is
large discoloration. that appears TO
have been received while the arm was
appraised TO ward off blow.
The theory of murder is also borne
out by statements alleged to have
been made by the physicians after the
examination Both Drs. Roberts ana
Barfeld. it is said, expressed belief
that CatChiugs had been murdered.
Medical men say disColorauons ana
bruises such as were found on the
body can be inflicted only before
death. as the circulation Of the blood
ceases when death comes and dlsCoI-
orations are impossible.
Neither DR.. Roberts nor DR.. Barhold
will make any statement regarding
the condition in which they found
Mr.. CatChings' body.