Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-08-10

"Coal oil, coal oil" was the recently familiar
cry of Samuel Huntress as he drove his wagon
through the streets and supplied families with
that illuminating fluid. His sharp, shril voice
will be heard no more, for death has sealed his
lips in a manner that will cause an official in
vestigation.
Yesterday morning Huntress left his home,
No. 1925 10th street, in company with James II.
Combs, whom he employs. All day long they
drove about the streets and when their Gus
toners had been served they started off ''to
enjoy themselves" Before o'clock both men
were under the influence of liquor and then
they started for home. All went well until
they reached the entrance to Blagden's alley,
in which the stable is situated, in the rear OF
the Huntress home. A safe start was made by
the team into the alley but the men, from some
unexplained cause, were then pulling and haul
ing at each other and during their drunken
alteration the reins were frightened in such a
manner as to misguide the faithful horse, which
had brough hit them that far toward home without
their assistance, and the wagon ran against the
house and was upset
HUNTREss' FATAL FALL
The men were too drunk to help themselves
The old saying that drunken man never gets
hurt did not prove true. Huntress was thrown
to the cobblestones on his head. Several col
ored men. including Rufus Green and Robert
Parker. went to the assistance of the drunken
men. They found Huntress in an unconscious
condition and his assistant with a coal oil bar
rel across his neck. The barrel was rolled off
him and he was assisted to his feet. He then
staggered to the stable, where be fell on the hay
and went to sleep. Huntress was carried into
the house. 1t was not thought that his injuries
were of serious nature, but his stupid condi-
ton was partly attributed to the result of
whisky
DR.. J. B. johnson was sent for and dressed
the injured mans head. giving il as his opinion
that Huntress was suffering from conclusion OF
the brain and that his injuries would probably
prove fatal. 1t was about $50 O'Clock when the
accident occurred and the injured man died
at 6:l5.
AFALsE RuMoR.
Policeman Jennings found Combs sleeping
on the hay in the stable and he arrested him
for intoxication. After he was locked up
rumor was started to the effect that Combs had
struck Huntress on the head with an oil cup
and the names of Rufus Green and Robert
Parker were given as witnesses.
STATEMENT OF AN EYE WITNESS.
When a STAR reporter questioned Parker
this morning he denied the statement that he
saw Combs strike Huntress. He said that when
the wagon entered the alley the men were pull
ing at each other. Combs. he said, fell from
the seat into the wagon and he saw Huntress
strike at him. When the wagon upset Parker
said that he helped pick Huntress up and roll
the barrel off Combs neck
COMBS STATEMENT.
When seen in his cell by a STAR reporter,
Combs denied that he had struck Huntress He
seemed greatly affected over the death of his
employer. He said that they were botL drunk
and when the wagon upset they both fell out.
Coroner Patterson viewed the body and will
hold an inquest tomorrow.
Deputy Coroner Schaeffer viii make an
autopsy this afternoon.
The body Of Huntress will be taken to Tan
mouth, NH, for burial.