Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-31
TWO RIVER VICTIMS
BODIES RECOVERED.
Tragedy Described by Nor
man R. Hagen, Who Es-
capped Drowning.
A more detailed account was available

A more detailed account was available
today of the drowning early yesterday
morning in the Potomac River of VIII
liam Lavendar, % years old, of 21l5 F.
street, and Miss Merla Matthews, 30
years old. of Hampton Courts, following
the recovery of their bodies yesterday
afternoon and the consequent subsistence
of the tension and excitement under
which the other couple in the canoe
when it upset we're laboring.
Norman r. Hagen, % years old, OF
2115 F street, who with Miss Della
Wynn, IS years old. of 1888 Sixteenth
street, were saved from possible death
by clinging to the overturned craft,
worn by his efforts yesterday to help
the harbor police in their l2-hour
search which eliminated with the find
ing of the bodies, told of the accident
Mrs. Joseph Matthews, mother of the
drowned girl, reached the scene shortly
after the recovery of the body of Law
endar, but left about an hour later, just
a few minutes before the body of her
daughter was pulled to the surface.
Found Near Virginia Shore.
The place where the dragging opera
lions finally met with success is barely
100 feet from the Virginia shore. Police
had previously dragged the bottom
Cured. due to the inability of Hagen or
Miss Wynn to identify the place.
We had been on the river for sew
eral hours" Hagen related today. I'VE
were about 100 feet from the bank.
Miss Wynn was sitting up front, pad
ding the canoe, and I was padding
from the rear seat. The others were
sitting in the body of the boat.
Some one shifted his weight, the
side dipped below the surface and the
water poured in, rapidly filling the
canoe. The other two were thrown out
first and then Miss Wynn and went.
I knew she could not swim so I sup
ported her to the front of the boat, to
which she chung. In the meantime the
other two had come together at the
rear of the boat.
"At first it appeared that the canoe
would not turn completely over. but
would fill and sink. This must have
been the reason Lavandar and Miss
Matthews, who was a particularly
strong swimmer, struck out for shore.
During the whole time not word was
spoken.
Cling to Overturned Boat.
1T expected to have to carry Miss
WYNN in, but 1 knew it would be a
tough pull, so we hung OH longer than
the other pair. Finally the canoe turn
ed turtle and / helped Miss Wynn up
onto it. She lay stretched flat ON top,
and I began pushing 1t toward the
bank. She was very frightened and
was no danger.
II had pushed 1t about half way.
when she saw light on the shore and
called for help. I did not want her
to scream, because thought the others
might hear and swim out to U.S. A
man in the camp on the land came
out to us. Together we gave the boat
several hard shoves and it touched
the bank. Miss Wynn was taken in
side the house and wrapped in
blanket"
The only explanation Hagen could
give of the failure Of his companions
have swallowed a quantity of water
when they were pitched from the canoe,
or while trying to assist each other
Under ordinary circumstances, he de-
clared, either would have been capable
of making the swim alone, even fully
clothed as they were.
They were found in about 20 feet
of water. The body of Lavendar was
recovered by William Reynolds. vet
eran riverman. and that of the young
woman by Duke FINELY, who, with
Reynolds, was also assisting the police.
DR.. j. Ramsey hewitt. District coro-
ner. viewed the bodies last night and
this morning issued certificates of
death by accident in each case. The
body of Lavender was shipped to his
parents in Rock Island, Ill, this morn
ing.
Funeral arrangements for Miss
Matthews are awaiting word from her
brother, w. I. Matthews of Chicago
She is survived also by her parents
Mr.. and Mrs. Joseph p Matthews:
another brother Gordon Matthews, and
sister, Edna Matthews. all of WASH
inptOn