Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-01-23
SKULL CRUSHED.
SHOCKING ACCIDENT IN THE ELEVATOR At
The MLURE HOUSE.
Lee Hutton, the Night Porter, Meets a Horrible
Death-Caught Between the Window
and the Elevator.

There was q shocking accident at the
McLure last night about ten o'clock,
and one which cast pail through
out the hotel. The accident oc-
Cured in the elevator and the night
porter, Lee Hutton, was the victim.
During the evening Hutton had been
handling trunks from the different
floors. A few minutes after ten o'clock
he had wheeled a largo trunk from the
second floor on to the elevator. How the
elevator, as all know who are familiar
with its construction is composed Of two
compartments, the larger and furnished
one Ut the top being for pass
engers, and the smaller apartment d.
rectly underneath being for trunks
and baggage. 1t is customary
for the boy who is running the ele-
vator TO ask Of the porter if he happens
to be in the lower apartment, II every
thing is all right before he starts the ell
evator. This was done as usual last
night Turner Monroe, young color
ed boy who runs the elevator at night,
and has been in charge for the past two
years, was the one in charge last night,
ana used the usual care and precaution.
After Hutton had wheeled the trunk
on the elevator, the boy asked in loud
voice if everything was all right. Get
ting a reply in the Affirmative he started
the elevator OH the down course.
He had gone but foot or two before
the elevator struck an obstacle, and he
immediately lifted the elevator back
even with the second floor, and jumped
ont TO investigate. To his horror there
lay the porter stretched out upon the
floor Of the baggage apartment in pool
of blood. One glance proved
too much for the young col
Ored operator, aud he tainted
and he was taken to his room on the
fourth floor, where he was quickly cared
for. News Of the accident was quickly
learned in the Office, and the proprietors
of the hotel, MessrS. Stamm and Nc
Lure, were soon on the scene together
with many others, all striving to relieve
the sufferings of the unfortunate man.
Blood was flowing freely from his head
and it was soon evident that he had met
with most serious and fatal accident.
He was taken into one of the UnOCCupied
rooms near the elevator and placed upon
a bed and Drs. DiCkey and Reed were
summoned.
Upon the arrival of the physicians a
careful examination OF the injuries was
made, but it was soon learned that the
unfortunate man was beyond all human
aid. The extent of the injuries was
such that it was only question OF time
when death would ensue. The skull
was crushed on the left side extending
from the back OF the ear clear up to the
eye. deep cash being effected from
which poured nearly quart Of blood
after he had been placed upon the bed.
He was inSensible from the first, but
breathing of mechanical and involun-
tary nature continued for some time.
There was much sorrow expressed over
the sad occurrence, and while many were
gathered about the bedside, Rev. DR..
Cook, who rooms at the Mcclure, and
happened to be in the corridor at the
time, entered the room before life had
become extinct, aud prompted by full
ness of heart and conscientious motives,
invoked blessing appropriate to the
occasion that deeply affected all pres
ent.
How the accident occurred was for
awhile a mystery. Upon examining the
situation OF the elevator it was con-
Guided that death must have been
caused by his head coming between
the middle floor of the elevator, and
the sill of the window, which
is Just opposite the second floor. How
he fell between is only conjecture, as
there was no one else in that apartment
at the time. 1t is supposed he either
tainted and fell or else was thrown
across the sill by the accidental tumb-
ling of the trunk. There is little
doubt but that his head was caught on
the sill, as there was considerable blood
on the woodwork.
The unfortunate porter was % years
Of age, unmarried, and had worked al
the Mcclure about one year. His home
is AZ Mt. Olivet, near GAINESVILLE, Ohio,
and kilograms were sent to mis- relatives
last night by Mr.. Mcclure.
Hutton died at eighteen minutes past
twelve, after a series Of labored reSpira-
tons that extended over two hours.
The remains were placed in charge Of
G.. Meudel e Co. and will be sent to
Ohio on the early train this morning.
Hutton was bright and active, faith
full employe and one who possessed GER
tain commendable accomplishments be-
yond those Of his mental duties. The
office boys and attaches of the hotel
generally had become warmly attached
to him. and his death to them seemed
particularly deplorable.