The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-05-19
MC1FFTLL'S FATAL FAIL.
Death OF the Man who Lock ed In N Cell
Amer Having his skull Fractured.

James McCaffill of 1877 Lawrence street,
Brooklyn. who. having fallen down the steps
leading from Nilsson Hall. at Fulton street and
Galatin place. Brooklyn, on Thursday at mid
night. and fractured his skull. was taken to the
Washington street police station and locked up
on a charge OF intoxication. died yesterday nf-
ternoon in the Long Island College Hospital
Mr.. McCafflll was n tobacco dealer in Maiden
lane. this city. and was formerly in business at
ISL Greenwich street for himself. He has been
twice elected Past Grand Muster OF Excelsio
Lodge No 1875. F. and A. NJ. OF New York and
is to be buried on Monday with Masonic hon ors
He was large and Of full habit. Weighing about
$50 pounds. On Thursday evening he left the
house soon after supper, saying that he would
return IN short time. adding that he was go-
ing TO Nilsson Hall to collect n bill for tobacco
that his brother, P law. Mr.. Chichester. had
hall. The place is resort for many men whose
habit Il was TO spend a social evening together.
Gen, Thomas ). Dakin frequently spent an
Mr.. McCaiiill was sober when he left home
and his wife does not think that he drank
heavily in the evening In leaving the build
ing late in the evening he fell down Ave steps
and struck the back OF his head against the
and staggered and fell. He was then taken to
the police station. but he was unable to give his
name. and was violent with the officer in front
daugh attempted to dress his wounds. he re-
sisted, and q length he WAS locked up in u cell.
the officer. Thomas Collins. preterring n charge
OF intoxic agan INST him, Bleeding and suf-
iernT lei, from broken Mcci ssiull whisn no one had
floor. and, as the police thought. peaceful ly
slumbered. The card OF his lodge in his pocke ket
showed his IDENTIFY. as did his ,usinrss cards;
walk away. was not informed that her husband
had been brought to the police station.
had been taken to the hospital unconscious.
Mrs. McCaffill was informed. The physicians
In the hospital held u consultation. and came TO
the conclusion that the man WAS suffering from
apoplexy. No fracture was found beneath the
wound. and the PHYSICIANS did not know that
the skull was fractured until O'Clock yesterday
AFTERNOON. after tho autopsy had been made.
One Of the physiclans Of the hospital said last
might that this was the first knowledge they had
A. NJ. on Friday, ,telegraphed TO the Central ON e
that McC4flll had been removed TO the Long
Island College Hospital in an ambulance. and
added: '' The doctors think be is suffering
from fracture OF the skull" The treatment.
however was for apoplexy. McCafill WIS un-
conscious up TO the time OF his death. with the
exception Of dimly lucid instant on Friday
Mrs. McCafill was seen at 1877 Lawrence street
by Sun reporter last night She was grief
stricken and hardly able TO talk. Ny hus-
band" she said. WAS subject 10 fits OF vertigo,
and II was doubtless in one Of these that he fell
They came on him very sudden II the police
had only told me he was hurt, and not put h m
here in carriage and doctored"
DR.. Miller, at one time assistant police
surgeon in the Twenty y-sevcnth precinct, this
city. who was visiting Mrs. McCanill. said:
" The man should have had the tenderest treat
ment. and II was an outrage to thrust him into
damp cell. even though he WAS violent. 1t
doubtless added to his peril to lie all night on n
stone floor. with no pillow for his head He
was social and well-behaved. never snw him
drunk, and do not think that he had taken
more than one glass OF liquor that night
Ambulance Surgeon ,M0rdaugh sad that the
night in the cell did not hasten McCaffllrs
death in the least he was booked Tor death be-
his injuries. because the prisoner would not al
low an examination. He felt sure that Mr..
McCHffill was intoxicated. and thought that the
cumstances.
The fracture extended for about four inches
along the base OF the skull Three children are
left for the widow TO support.