New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-24
A DOCTORS FATAL FALL.
CHARLES BLISS MEETS SUDDEN DEATH
A SUIT AGAINST HIM FOR BREACH OF PROMISE
WAS SET DOWN FOR TODAY.

WAS bET DOWN IO-DAY.
Dr. Charles Bliss died at his home, No 235
West Fifty -hrst-st, yesterday morning at 10 80
o'clock from fractured skull the result of an
accident which happened about two hours before
The Doctors attention had been called recently
by several of his patients who came to his office
10 the dangerous condition Of the iron covering
TO the coalvault on the sidewalk in front of the
house. Yesterday morning DR.. Bliss accompanied
by Andrew jackson, his cOlored butler, started
for the cellar TO make personal investigation
OF the coal-vault, with view of having the
cover strengthened. The butler preceded him,
carrying candle and they passed down the
stairs TO the cellar, the Doctor walking a few
feet behind the servant.
The butler reached the bottom Of the stairs
all right and was moving in the direction of the
vault in the front part of the cellar, when he
was startled by heavy crash, and turning
quickly saw the Doctor fall and strike his head
violently against brick pillar.
DR.. Bliss was over six feet in height and
weighed nearly $50 pounds, and the fourth stair
from the bottom gave way under him when he
stepped on it, His head struck twice, once on
the iron pillar and again on the cellar hoOr
and the force of the blow rendered him uncon-
scious.
ABLE TO DIRECT HIS SERVANT.
Jackson called for help, and three servants
came TO his aid While they were endeavoring
TO carry the Doctor up the narrow stairway, he
suddenly became conscious, and walked up with
the assistance Of his attendants Dr. Bliss reached
his Office on the first floor, and fully realizing
the extent OF his injuries sent ut for medical
aid, and then was helped TO his room.
lie became unconscious again in about
q half hour, prior to which he
told his family that he could not live, and bade
them farewell
Doctors Edward G. Janeway, John p. DAWN J.
II. Dew, and Alsdorf arrived at his bedside
shortly after he was injured and did all that
medical sldl could suggest to aid the dying man.
In the opinion Of the physicians an artery lad
been ruptured in the brain by the shook Of the
fall and as soon as the blood accumulated in the
skull il caused death The scalp was not torn
and there was no sign Of fracture externally, but
The symptoms indicated that the inner table Of
the skull had been broken at the base. The
death was reported at the coroner's Office, but
up 10 late hour last evening no coroner had
appeared at the Doctors house, and no autopsy
wus held. II win be necessary 10 make an
autopsy to accurately establish the OF death,
whether il was from vertigo or an injury from
an accident, as the Doctor held an accident policy
Of insurance in a local company.
THE DEAD MANS CAREER
DR.. Bliss was born in Lee, Mass, in Il $40. He
came OF an e old New. England family,
lie studied medicine with Dr. Green, of Pitts
field, Mass and when the War broke out no
enlisted in Pennsylvania cavalry regiment, and
was discharged after three years service with the
rank Of lieutenant lie subsequently was gradu
ated from the Berkshire Medical College and came
10 this city in SOS. and practised medicine as
thc assistant and partner Of DIR. N. G. Hustled
in West Forty-secOnd-st
lie was unusually successful and bought the
house IN which he died in 1875, and has since
lived there lie was married in 1870. His first
wife died four years ago, and he married Alicia
Iawton about d year ago His wife and three
daughters survive him lie was a member OF
the County Medical Society, the Academy OF
Medicine, and an officer in the Ancient Order OF
Forcstcrs, and member Of the Berkshire Lodge
of MasonS, in Pittsheld, Mass. He wrote fre-
qucntly for the medical journals and is the author
OF n book on obstetrics.
About two years ago Bessie Hubbell,
young woman. brought suit against Dr.
Bliss for an alleged breach OF promise, setting
tbe damage at $4,000 lLer attorney IL John
ID. Townsend and Lawyers llummel and Forster
looked out for the interests OF the defendants
The case has been the calendar Tor long
time, and 10 was expected thas 10 would ne
called for trnl this morning before Judge Barrett
The death OF the defendant has brought sudden
end TO the ease.
DIR Bliss was n wealthy man, owned several
valuable honses and his life was insured for
81 $4,000. outside Of the accident policy.