Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-28
Was Daughter of Associate
Physicist of Bureau of
Standards.
DOUBT WHETHER DEATH
WAS SUICIDE OR ACCIDENT
Officials Believe She Took Her Own
Life, But Admit Possibility
Of Fall.

TIC DOuN Oh MISS AlCC l..
Karr, daughter of c. Powell Karr,
an associate physicist at the bu-
reau OF standards, living at 1916
Calvert street northwest, was
found early this morning in the
canal some distance above Cabin
John bridge, near the Anglers
Club. Miss karr apparently had
fallen or walked into the canal
about dark last night. When the
body was found it was in water
not more than a foot deep. and
the face was entirely out of the
water.
Mr.. karr, the dead woman S
father, today said he could not
believe his daughter had taken her
own life, as to the best of his
knowledge no motive existed for
such all act.
Miss Karr left her home about
II o'clock yesterday morning,
saying she was going to attend
services at St. Margaret's Episco-
pal Church. She carried a hand
bag and two prayer books, and
had only 10 cents with her.
Did Not Go to Church.
She did not go to church. SO far as
can be learned. When she did not re-
turn home at the proper time inquiries
were made, and later the police. it is
stated, were asked to look for her.
No trace was found, however, until
about o'clock this morning, when Rich
ard Anderson, an employe Of the canal
company. who lives at Great Falls. found
the body lying in the shallow water
as he was going to work. The spot
an eighth of mile from the Anglers
Club. The water has been drained
from the canal bed. and at the place
where the body was found 1t was only
about foot deep. while at other places
nearby there was no water whatever
in the canal. The shallow water in
which the body was found was covered
with fairly thick ice.
Indications on the bank of the canal
were that Miss Kari after reaching the
spot. had walked around. her foot
prints being plainly visible in the mud.
The condition of the clothing worn by
the dead woman also indicated that
she had walked around. as the skirts
were lifted as II to keep them clear of
mud or brush.
the Washington police and the Mont
aomery county authorities at Rock Vile.
Detective ODea and Fred Sandberg, DO
lice photographer, went to the spot and
Investigated. while the Montgomery
county officials also Investigated the
case.
officials Suggest Suicide.
The Washington and Maryland officers
alike expressed the belief that Miss Karr
had committed suicide, although they
stated her death might have resulted
from a fall into the canal and conse-
quent cold and exposure to the chilling
high wind that blew during yesterday
evening and last night.
Mr.. Karr, father of the dead woman.
stated today that week ago yesterday
he and his daughter took a country
ramble. going up to Cabin John bridge,
and from there to the toWpath along
the canal, which they followed up to
Great Falls. He expressed the belief
that his daughter suddenly decided to
take such a walk again yesterday in
stead of attending church. and that,
possibly being delayed for some reason,
had been returning along the towpath
after dusk and had fallen into the
canal. His daughter, he said, could
car until close to noon yesterday, and
probably reached the path along the
canal two hours later.
Had she walked the six miles up to
Great Falls she could not have returned
until after dark. the father said. Fur
thermore. he said, he could assign no
reason for suicide.
Mr.. karr went to Rockville early this
and from there went to a place
where his daughters body had been found.
states Attorney Buick of Montgomery
county this afternoon visited the scene
and viewed the body. He said he
it would be unnecessary to
hold an inquest. Persons who partici-
pated in the investigation suggested
that Miss Karr probably started in the
direction of light in a house on the
opposite side of the canal, slipped and
fell in the shallow water, dropping her
and prayer books on the tow
path.
Persons living in the house nearest
where Miss karr's body was found
said they heard sounds last night about
1870 o'clock. They believe the noise was
made by Miss Karr calling for help,
although they were unable to say that
fhe noise was that of wop, q mo yo;ce