Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-02-06
JOHN M. HEIZER's DEATE.
The Man Who Was Robbed and Throw
From a Train Fails to Rally.


From a Train Fails to Rally.
Mr.. Heller, who on january Is was robbed
and thrown off n train on the Metropolitan rail-
road near G street and badly injured, died this
morning at his residence No. 1905 9th street
northwest. 1t will be remembered that Mr..
Heller was found beside the track with his
right leg broken near the ankle and he was
taken to Providence Hospital, where his leg
was twice operated upon. About week since
his friends had him removed to his home,
where he had since been under the care Of
Drs ]. Ford Thompson and g. Henderson, and
it was in contemplation to take off another por-
ton OF his leg should he become strong enough
to stand the operation. But he did not rally
and death came to his relief this morning. the
cause Of death being gangrene. He had been
sinking several days and at the time of his
death there were present his wife and seven
ley Chapel, Justice L. /. O'Neal and other
friends. Mrs. Heller is also quite i'll from her
constant efforts to alleviate her husbands suf-
ferings.
Mr.. Heller was a native of Churchville. Va,
and served throughout the war in a cavalry
regiment. Afterward he settled at Woodstock,
Va, and later removed to this city. Here he
has been engaged in life insurance in connec-
ton with various local companies. but more re-
Gently has been employed in the census Office
For a long series Of years he had been a COM
municant Of the Presbyterian church. On
aud had filed an Office in that congregation for
some years. He has borne q high character
among his neighb0rs and associates, snd
during his service rs a clerk in the census Office
he had made many friends. Since the occur
renee on the train no tidings have been heard
Of the perpetrators of the outrage upon him,
and probably they will never be known.
HIS ANrE-xoRTEM STATEMENT.
Friends Of Mr.. Heller who knew of his
ney to have his ante-mortem statement taken,
the hospital, Prosecuting Attorney MuIlowney
went to the hospital and took the
patient statement. At the time the statement
was made Mr.. Heizer was in dying condition,
and during the time occupied in making it he
became unconscious several times.
The statement is the same as made BY Mr..
Heller the night Of the affair. only it is not so
complete. After making the statement the pa
tient was too weak to sign his name and that
had to be done by mark.
Rev. W. s. Miller and DR.. Henderson were pres
ent when the ante-mortem statement was
THE CORONER NOTIFIED.
Coroner Patterson was notified Of the death
Of Mr.. Heller and before deciding whether to
hold an inquest or not he held q consultation
with Detective Mahou, who investigated the
case soon after the fatal injuries were received,
and also with District Attorney Hoge.
The officer supplied the MINES OF persons
whom he had interviewed, among them being
name OF the man who found Mr.. Heller
beside the railroad track, and also
TO persons who were on the train that n light.
They, however. did not see the deceased.
neither did they know Of the affair.
~ TO An INQUEST.
District Attorney Hoge did not think IL was
necessary to hold an inquest because he said
they were in possession OF all the
evidence that coroner's Jury
could get, and that II any person were sppre-
hended In the future the fact of there being no
verdict would not in his judgment affect the
case.
The coroner thereupon decided not to hold
an inquest.
He WILL HOLD An INQUEST.
District Attorney Hoge afterward looked
up the law concerning the duties Of
the coroner, and he found that the
legislative assembly in 1877 passed an act
| requiring the coroner TO hold an inquest In all
cases where II 10 not known that the death was
accidental or was from natural causes.
when this was learned Assistant District
Attorney Aullowney hastened TO the coronsr'a
once and called his attention 70 the iAw.
4 The coroner, who had decided not 10 hold IN
inquest, on Judge Hoges advice concluded "a
make what Investigation he could, and win hold
IN inquest tomorrow.