Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-08-07
MAN IS DROWNED,
GIRL ESCAPESBy
MIRACLE ATFALLS
Miss RottIer Is Washed
Through 100-Foot SIuice,
SWims to Shore.

A misstep in the darkness while walk
ing along the canal at Great Falls last
night cost the life of Harold H. Wat
kins, nineteen years old, of 243s Wis
consin avenue. and injured Miss Flor
ence Rottler of 1903 Connecticut ave-
nue.. who escaped death only after be-
ing carried by the rushing water
through three-foot pipe a distance
OF more than 100 feet
MISS Rottfer and her companion
were with a party of four that
motored to the falls yesterday even
ing, and had left their companions to
walk to the river. Both were un-
familiar With the path that leads
across the canal at the Great Falls
lock and stepped into the water just
above the sluice that carries the cur
rent of the canal around the lock-
Watkins was killed by blow which
crushed the back of his skull, pre-
suma bly, when he struck a heavy tim
ber at the lower end of the sluice,
while Miss Rottler sustained a cut
five inches long at the back of her
head.
The body of Watkins was recovered
at 9:25 am. today, after a part of the
canal had been drained. His watch had
stopped at IL :O6 pm. last night but its
water tight case probably protected il
for some time after it was submerged,
for Miss Rottler said today that it was
about 8 AS O'Clock last night when the
accident happened
ClunS to Canal Bank.
After being carried through the
sluice pipe. Miss Rottier came to the
surface near the east bank of the canal,
which she reached and chung to while
she called for help. Her cries were
heard by Mrs. Collins. who lives on
the canal bank, and who ran out and
dragged the young woman from the
water. She was brought back to Wash
ington by other motorists and was
taken home. after being treated at
Georgetown Hospital for the wound in
her head.
Mr.. Watkins was employed as a
salesman by the Marmon and Moon
Motor agency, at 1901 Connecticut
avenue. His parents live in. Mont.
gomery county. Nd. Miss Rofffer
came to Washington to work for the
government two years ago and was
for a time with the Railroad Admin
istfation. At present she. is employed
at the southern railroad. The other
members OF the party were Martin J.
CO.. and Miss Edith Mare room
mate of Miss Rbttlers, VIZ in the
adjutant generals Office.
A; graphic story of her narrow es-
cape was. told by Miss Rottler TODAY
as she lay in her room at 1903 On
necticut avenue. her head bana ,ged
and her. face pale, but with her nerve
Il had never met Mr.. Watkins until
Mr.. Cook, whom I have known a long
time. introduced him last night" she
said. I'VE motored out to the falls
Mr.: Watkins driving. and had only
been there short time when he, sug-
gested that we go over and see tthe
rivera. Neither of us was familiar
with the place and 1 was holding his
arm as we followed what We thought
was the path. -,
----f- Sank Over Their Heads. -
Suddenly we both stepped into the
water and sank over our heads rex
eomingsup' twice, still hold
inglto his arm, but when | reached
the third time my hald
had been torn loose and did not see
him. again. Neither ofaus uttered a
sound, as We were SO taken by sur
'"I took few. swimming lessons ar
the ba things beach, last summer and.
though l hadspn heavy coat. i bega
to swim 'as-soon as I'realized Iswas in
deep water. 8 was under for what 4
seemed like, long time and Thought
was going over the falls but / was
told later L had been carried through
a tunnel, or sluiceway. After L had
been under some time something
struck me a terrible blow on the back.
Of my head, but ! did not lose con-
sciousness. and whef I came to the
surface again I saw the bank a short
distance away. managed to reach
it. lin spite of my heavy coat, and.
holding myself up with my elbows.
called for. help. thoughtsI had heen
carried>a long way down the stream.
ga woman. who l afterward learned
was Mrs. Collins, beard me and helped
ne out! Snes took me into her home
and furnisAed die with some dry
.lothes, while. one ofSthe' MIN of the |
family went out to find "a machine to-
.ake. me- back atoS Nashi9sHon. - q
- Dead Man Had Key > :, !
There. was another paytf of four
pack to Mr.. Watkins machine and |
found ny Cook and Miss Marrow |
waiting there as they did not know |
a bout the accident. All three of us |
we're brought back in the machine |
by persons whose narnesI did not |
CONTINUED -. On =. .z'41 ,.s.- -. =