In March 1907, a quiet stretch of the Schuylkill River became the scene of a grim mystery.
A park guard in Fairmount Park saw a woman wading into the water and ran to stop her. But before he could reach her, she lowered herself beneath the surface and disappeared.
Moments later, the body of a man was found nearby, dead only a short time.
Police believed the two deaths were connected, possibly the result of a suicide pact. The man was identified as William Van Winkle of Somerset Street, but the woman remained unknown.
End Lives Together
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania. — Mystery surrounds the drowning of two persons, a man and a woman, in the Schuylkill River in Fairmount Park today,
The police are confident that the deaths are the result of a suicide pact, although they have as yet been unable to identify the woman. The man was identified this evening as William Van Winkle, of Somerset Street.
Park Guard Long first saw the woman when she started to wade toward deep water, and ran to stop her. When she was waist deep, she saw the guard coming and thrust her head under the water.
When the guard reached the place she had disappeared, and the body has not been recovered.
The man’s body was discovered a few minutes later, and he had apparently been dead but a very short time. His mother believes he killed himself, but can give no reason for suicide. He had over $80 in his pocket when found.
Source: The Washington Herald. Washington, D.C. March 26, 1907.
