Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-28
KEATrNG,s FATAL FALL.
1t was Purely Accidental and Not Sui
cidal.

STATEMENT OF DR. GIBBS, WHO SAW THE ryroRTu-
NATE MAN LOSE HIS BALANCE-DECEAsED NOT
pRUSxARD-A DANGEROUS sTAIRwAY,aovERN-
The question has been raised whether Mi
chael Heating, the War department messenger
who met his death yesterday morning by fall
ing over the stairway railing, was the victim OF
an accident or deliberately committed suicide,
and STAR reporter consequently made an inves-
tigation of the case this morning, with view OF
determining this question. In the first place,
he learned from the clerks who knew Heating
well and saw him and conversed with him in
the morning that the unfortunate
man was not, as has been said, in an advanced
state of intoxication. Some of them even say
that he was perfectly sober, but il is probable
that he had been drinking q very little that
morning. He had been performing his duties
up to the time Of starting to descend the stair
way, and was on his way to deliver an official
message for one of the clerks when he fell.
DR. GIBBS DESCRIBES THE FALL.
There was but one person who saw him as he
went over the railing, DR.. Gibbs a clerk in
Mr.. Salter's division, whose desk is in front of
a window that looks out upon the stairway.
He informed the reporter this morning that
with his hand on the railing to steady himself,
and when he got to the first step, which is very
narrow by the rail, he seemed to lose his bal
snce. his feet went from under him, and he
toppled over the rail without uttering sound.
LAST CLUTCH AT THE RAIL.
There was absolutely nothing in the motion
to indicate desire on Keating's part to fall;
in fact he seemed to clutch at the rail, but
could not reach it. At this point the railing
sinks from a height Of about 80 feet to 80
inches, difference sufficient to throw the
center of gravity of mans body from below
the rail to some distance above it, and even to
an absolutely sober man there is a considerable
amount Of danger. The least slip on the steps,
which are very narrow on the turn, would tend
to throw person off his balance instantly.
Heating, said DIR. Gibbs, was, perhaps a little
unsteady, but be was not drunk. He has been
a total abstainer from liquor for eight or ten
years, and it was only in the past two or three
days that he has drank drop.
SURGEON aREENLEAF's OPINION.
Surgeon Greenleaf, who made cursory ex-
animation of the body as it lay on the tiles,
said this morning that there were no external
marks of any injury whatever. In his opinion
Keating's body must have been somewhat
doubled as he fell, striking the floor on the
hips, which drove the spinal column into the
brain and dislocated his neck.
1t would seem reasonable to suppose that
man jumping from such height with an idea
Of suicide would fall Gin heap; that is
some portion of his body would be badly
crushed. He would be almost sure to strike the
floor on his feet or with his legs doubled I'M
der him, while if he fell with his body slowly
circling, he might strike in any way. The
fact that he fell on his back seems to prove
that he fell accidentally. The evidence of the
eyewitness, DIR. Gibbs, proves conclusively
that Heating was the victim of an accident.
UNEAsINEss ABOUT THE RAILING.
Since his death the stairway ratings have
become the objects of much nervous exami-
nation, and now that they have been actually
proven dangerous there is some talk among
the clerks of petitioning for their reconstruc-
ton at the turning point. If the level portion
were carried out foot before the curve be-
gins the danger woul be be greatly lessened.
Heating is said by those who had acquaint-
ance with him to have been a diligent, quiet
and polite man, and always considerable of the
feelings and comfort of those around him. The
terrible griefs that have befallen him during
the past six months make the case particularly
touching. Six months ago his son was
drowned and the news of the accident re-
suited in the death of his daughter. These two
shocks caused a weakening of his wifes health
and mind and it is probable that this last sad
accident by which Heating lost his life will Sc
riOusly affect her. There is one child left
crippled boy, who is absolutely helpless.