Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-08-23
GIRL IS RESCUED,
F|ANCE DROWNED
Blast on Boat Turns Vaca-
ton Trip Into Tragedy
for Tennis Star.

for Tennis Star.
Fears for the safety Of Clara Tabler.
Washington tennis star, missing since
yesterday afternoon following her
rescue from the Potomac in boating
accident, in which her fiance, James
T. Stark. 80, of BIS Twenty first street,
was drowned, were sllayed today when
friends here telephoned her father,
Clarence Tabler, that she was with
them and recovering from the shock
of the tragedy.
Meanwhile, soldiers from Fort Wash
ington continued to drag the river for
Stark's body. They were working mid
way between the mouth of Broad
Creek on the Maryland shore and
Wellington Villa on the Virginia side.
where early yesterday afternoon an
explosion aboard a l4-foot, auxiliary
motored sail boat sprayed them with
flaming gasoline and forced them to
dive overheard.
Saved by Alexandrians.
Rescued by two Alexandria youths,
Charles 3. Hayden, 10, Of ia Duke
street, and Oscar Ralph Suthard, 20,
Of 429 Wilkes street, Miss Tabler was
taken by them to the home Of her
flance's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lowell
Stark. at the Twenty-first street
address
She was treated there for slight
burns of the arms and legs. At her
suggestion she left soon efterward
with friends of the Starks to bring
back her hance's car from the wa
terfront here. On the return trip she
persuaded them to let her out in
front Of the Keystone Apartments,
at Twenty-first street and Pennsyl-
vania avenue, stating that she
wished TO see some friends there.
when inquiry revealed she had not
been seen there and that she had
not returned to her own rooms at
the Marcheta Apartments, where her
father also lives, police were notified
that she was missing.
Man Was Fishing.
"She told u.s." Mr.. Stark said
that Jack was fishing and she was
sitting aft watching the engine, when
q backfire ignited some cans Of gaso-
line nearby. There was an explosion
and the flames shot high enough to
catch the sail afire.
"she said that the force OF the
explosion threw Jack overheard, and
she then leaped overheard also"
Mr.. Stark also told how his son,
employed in the cabinet shop of the
District sewage department, had built
the boat in which the couple set out
yesterday morning to cruise to Colonial
Beach for two weeks visit there with
Miss Tablers sister.
Mr.. Stark said his son was worried
that the sail was not enough, 20 he
bought the engine. Yesterday was
the first time he had used the engine.
He was a good swimmer" he added.
1.-TWO miles was nothing to him"
The parents said the couple had
been engaged for some time and that
they planned to be married In q week
or two.
Hayden and suthard, mentioning
on the farm of Hayden's grandparents
on the Maryland shore at Broad
Greek. today gave their version Of the
accident.
Saw Beat ON Fire.
Rowing about half a mile offshore
they noticed the sailboat In mid
stream, smoke rising from 1t, and then
flames.
Sutiard bent to the oars, while
Hayden, good swimmer, shed super
f1uous clothing.
Before we had gone far" Hayden
said, even The sail was on fire. I
could only see the girl in the water
and she kept going under. dove
where had last seen her 60 down
and came up with her the first time"
The boys then told Of getting Miss
Tabier In their boat.
'-She kept looking for the man." one
Of them said. she told us she could
not swim and that he had been hold
ing her up In the water"
They then roWed to the Virginia
shore, where Miss Tabler was taken
to the home of Mr.. and Mrs William
Anderson and given nrst-aid treat
ment for her burns.
Police Notified.
Some one telephoned the harbor
precinct, Washington police, but was
told that the scene Of the accident
was not in their jurisdiction.
Justice Of the Peace Harry ]. An
drews, acting coroner, Of Meadows, q
nearby village on the Maryland shore,
said that he would not order an In
quest until Stark's body had been
recovered.
Miss Tabler, q Gle clerk In the son
Conservation Division Of the Depart
ment efsAgriculture, has earned recog-
milton Is an outstanding tennis player
since she came here from California
four years ago. She was ranked Eo. .
among ths Districts woman players
last Vear. She was rated No. . hare
IN iSa7 and IA . n issa