Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-29
FOUND DEAD IN HIS ROOM.
A Well-known Treasury Clerk Meets
N Tragic Death.

There was a badly frightened cofored wo-
man in this city this morning She is en-
ployed at the residence of Mrs. Higgins. No.
rs 9th street northwest where she does
the work of domestic. Among her duties
Is the task of gathering together the cloth
ing of the roomerS in the house and deliver
Ing it to the laudryman. This morning
was the time for that work, and when she
called at the room of Mr.. John Culbert and
raped on the door she received no response
But the door was unlocked, and the woman
thinking the occupant of the room had de-
parted for the day. opened the door and
walked H. Stretched across the bed in the
room was the dead body of the occupant,
and the colored woman is now unable TO
tell just how she got down stairs.
The man had been asphyxiated and had
Deen dead several hours. for his body was
cold The smell of the escaping gas mad not
Deeh detected before the door was opened.
anu then IL was noticed Cuibert had left
therefrorl.
Did he commit suicide?" was the first
Question asked and the response of those
VINO knew him best was in the negative
He had no reason to commit such a deed.
he was employed as a clerk in the Treas
lry Department, having come here from
fnliadelphia, and as late Saturday he
received congratulations from friends over
ms recent promotion. which necessarily
an active member of the Washington Lodge
OF Elks, he had many friends here. to
shock. - e'
1t was intimated that he had nrobab,v
been drinking and that when he last enter
ed mis- room he was not in condition to tell
much about the working of gas jet but
this Is denied by those who saw him YES
terday afternoon when he went 20 his room
He was not seen about the house during
the evening. and his absence from the
ma ffr1cr Of
o. the dead man say that he mad a happy
disposition and no cares and that he al
ways enjoyed life. He drank but little an
occasional glass of beer being the ex-
tent of his Indulgence in strong drink
Deceased was about forty-eight years old
and was appointed to his position in the
Treasury Department several years ago
from Pennsylvania, his home at that time
being in Philadelphia.
Coroner Woodward viewed the body, and
gave permit for it's removal to the uI-
dertaking establishment Of Fred j. Spin
der, No. 1905 9TH street northwest Later
In the afternoon or tomorrow the coroner
will make thorough investigation of the
affair. 1t Is probable that the funeral serv-
ices will be conducted under the auspices
of the order of Elks, and the body win be
taken to Philadelphia for interment.
Believe 1t Was an Accident.
Mr. Culbert's friends at the Treasury De-
partnent are confident that his death was
an accident. He was an excellent clerk
and was a favorite in the office. He was
on duty usual Saturday. Mr.. Mills of
the loan division. who investigated the
case. this morning told Star reporter that
he was satisfied that the escape of gas,
which resulted in asphyxiation of Mr.. Gull
bert. was a pure accident.
His impression was that Mr.. gilbert in
tended to light the gas stove and turned
on the gas for that purpose and had thrown
himself on the bed and gone to sleep, SUD-
posing that he had lighted the gas. Mr..
Mills said the deceased had left no notes.
nor had he done anything else to justify
the belief that he intended sell -destruction
The Elks have taken charge of the re-
mains. Mr.. Culbert was prominent men,
Der Of that order.