Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-07
OV ERCOME BY GAS
Nearly Double Trag dy Last Night on
Q Street
The Sister Of Rev. w. p. Gibbons
Found Dend-The HOusekecper
Overcome Also-The Cause.

Some time last night or this morning
death invaded the house of the Rev. w. p.
Gibbons, No. 421 Q street northwest, and
carried Oh the divine's sister, Miss Maria
Elizabeth Gibbons, who was forty years
old. The peculiarly sad circumstances un-
der which Miss Gibbons died cast a gloom
over the household, and the pastor has the
sympathy of the members of his flock, as
well as of his numerous friends. Escaping
gas from the fixture in the sleeping room
caused her death and rendered unconscious
Mrs. Isabella v. Hall, about fifty years
old, who was employed in the house as
housekeeper. She is still in critical con-
dition, but the physicians attending her
think she will recover.
Rev. Gibbons has for a number Of years
had u woman to keep house for his sisters
and himself, and the one who had been
with them SO long concluded only a few
days ago that she would leave her place
OF employment and return home. Then
Mrs. Hall, who is about fifty years old,
came here from her home in Heathville,
Va, arriving at the minister's house at
noon yesterday.
Although she was a stranger to the
members Of the Gibbons family, the latter
had been greatly attached to her during
the few hours she was In the house, and
they take her illness to heart the same as
II she were one of the family.
Soon after she reached the house she was
given directions about what was to be done,
and the workings Of the gas fixtures were
derstood. for she had lived In Baltimore,
where there was gas in the house. With
this statement the Gibbons felt at ease, and
when, at sundown. she retired to the room
with Miss Gibbons, the other members of
the family felt no uneasiness.
The Discovery.
Miss Gibbons, the deceased, followed her
usual custom Of retiring about sundown,
after she had kissed her brother and sister
good night. and saying: God bless you,"
and her failure to move about the house this
morning excited some alarm. She had been
In the habit Of rising soon after the dawn of
day, and when others of the family failed to
hear her this morning one Of the children
went upstairs to ascertain the reason there
for.
She returned in a hurry, and told of the
smell OF gas in the house, and then the dead
Woman's sister went up to investigate Up
on opening the room door she was Mortified
at the sight of her sisters dead body on the
hoor while on the bed lay Mrs. Hall, who
would SO soon have followed Miss Gibbons
10 the other world had not the discovery
been made
As soon as possible the gas was turned
on and the windows opened, and four ply
showed signs Of life. MISS Gibbons had
been dead some time, and, of course, the
physicians were powerless to help her.
This afternoon Mrs. Hall was still uncon-
scious, although there seemed to be a
change In her condition for the better, and
the doctors expect she will recover
Rev. Gibbons thinks that his sister re-
tired first and left Mrs. Hall, who probably
nad something to do, and did not want to
retire 80 early. Then she either blew out
the gas or turned it on after the light
went oct. The condition of the bed showed
that two people had been in it, and the
pa stor thinks that when partially asphyx-
lated, his sister got I'D and tried TO reach
the door, but fell exhausted and was un-
able to make an outcry
Miss Gibbons funeral services will be held
at Mt. Carmel Church Thursday, and her
Friday morning for interment. Mrs Hairs
son reached DR.. Gibbons house about noon.
and remained at his mothers bedside.