Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-05
Fatal Fall From q Porch.

TEE INQUEST OVER THE BODY OF ROBERT HUGHES
A VERDICT OF ACCIDENTAL DEATH"
Coroner Patterson held an inquest at the
third precinct this morning over the body of
Rob't Hughes, the young colored man who died
Monday evening at the home of his parents,
No. 1928 26th street, from the effects Of injuries
received by fall from his front porch into
the areaway about ten days ago. as published
in yesterdays STAR. The Jury was composed
Of Chas. ]. Anderson, H. Il. Smith Alfred
Worch, Chas. Devantier, Clement McKeever,
and James w. Wagner.
Rebecca Hughes, mother of the deceased,
testified that after her son was injured Way
man Brooks assisted in bringing him into the
house. Her son, she said, told her that he did
not know whether he fell or was pushed from
the porch; he was intoxicated at the time.
DR.. Newman testified that he was called TO
attend Hughes about three days after he WIS
injured. The patient was conscious. Witness
was informed at the house that his injuries
were the result of an accident. He never
heard any suspicion of foul play until the
patient was about to die. When witness told
the patient that his condition was serious the
latter told him that he fell from the porch, and
assured witness that the fall was purely acct
dental.
Lottie Boyd. stepdaughter of Brooks, and an
intimate friend of the deceased, testified that
on the evening that Hughes was hurt she was
at his house, in the front room with Eva
Hughes and Jane Magruder. Robert was also
there. He was very drunk. Wayman Brooks
sent for him to come out. About five minutes
later Brooks opened the door and told her that
Robert had fallen of the porch. While Robert
was sick witness was with him every night,
and frequently during the day. He told hid
that he went to sit on the rail and fell ovef.9w'
Richard Phillips colored, and Eva Hughes,
sister of the deceased, gave testimony which
threw no new light on the case.
Wavmau BROOKE tAstified that On the evenino
OF the accident he met Hughes with Lottie.
witness went home and later in the evening he
went to see Hughes, because the latter visits
his stepdanghter. Her mother did not like
Hughes. When he called at the house Bob
came out and attempted to sit on the rail, when
he fell. When questioned by the coroner wit
ness said that he went to the house to see Miss
Kate Alexander. He did not care to go in
the house, because Kate's mother did not like
him. Witness wanted Bob" to tell Miss Kate
that he was waiting for her.
Coroner Patterson stated that he did not I'M
derstand why 1t was that Brooks, whC had been
in the habit Of going to the house so often,
found 1t necessary on this occasion to send
word in for Kate to come out.
Brooks explained that when he went into the
house to see Kate he went during the day. when
her mother was out. Sometimes. he said, her
mother came home and caught him.
The coroner asked why he went with Kate
when he was q married man.
"Well, / amt exactly married." answered
Brooks. "You know have been living with
this woman for fifteen years." Witness said
that he had frequently called and escorted
Kate to church.
DR.. Hartigan, who made the autopsy, testified
that death resulted from the injuries received
from the fall.
VERDICT OF ACCIDENTAL DEATH.
The jury returned verdict of accidental
death, generating Brooks, and he was dis
charged.