Evening journal., 1896-11-19
FATAL FUN OF THE ELKS
The Initiation Of a Candidate
Leads to His Death.
FLAMES PLACED UNDER HIS CHAIR.
E. w. Curry Was SO Badly burned That
His Death Was the Result-spectators
Looked on and Saw Him Durning-The
Victim Was Prominent Lawyer.

Looked on and Saw Him Durning-The
Victim Was Prominent Lawyer.
DIES MONIES. Nov. 19.-E. W. Curry
chairman of the Democratic state ccntras
committee, died at the Savcry hotel in
this city, where ho has been in for two
months. Mr.. Curry's death IS the result
of injuries received while boing initiated
into Dcs Moines lodge of Elks. blood
poisoning having followed his injuries
AS part OF the ceremony he was seated
in chair with thin iron seat and a
large lighted lamp placed under it, 1t
was expected that he would furnish some
amusement, as It was thought ne would
jump out of the chair whom tho heat he
came unheaablc But ne didn't Jump.
With some friends no had been mcrrymak-
ing in the afternoon, and when he went
into the hall he was much under tho innu-
enco Of liquor. 1t is thought that when
he was placed i'm the chair and blndfoldcd
his sensibilties were so far benumhod that
he was burned severely without knowing
il OF being able TO move.
The spectators saw him fairly cook for
some time, wondering at his nerve, until
they discovered smoke rising from the
chair Then he was taken out of il and
found to be burned horribly. He was
taken 20 his hotel and cared for by the best
/ physicians. AT his own request it was
given out that he was suffering from an
other ailment, and the true story did not
/ leak ont till yesterday. Even yet there Is
much mystery about it,
Blood poisoning set in soon, and from
that time on there was little hope of say
ing his life He grew worse steadily and
for a large part of the last mQnth Of his
! life was unconscious. He manifested won
derful vitality and lived "a week after the
doctors pronounced his death q matter Of
only few hours.
why the True story Was Made Public.
The story of how his injuries were con-
tracted was given out by members of the
Elks lodge after an evening paper had
/ published q much more sensational story
1t was that, instead of heated chair, he
was placed on an electrical chair and a
/ light current turned on, in the expectation
of making him squirm He showed no
discomfort, and the current was increased
several times without producing any ap-
/ parent effect Then the smoke was seen,
| and he was taken out. half electrocuted.
This story was printed in great detail
/ and denied promptly and the story about
lne nealeu cDdlf gwen OuO Inc nysietN
/ has caused "a great sensation. The Elks
met last night, but after their session had
nothing to say except TO repeat their earlier
version. There has been no disposition ON
the part of Mr.. Curry's family to blame
the members of the order, who have done
all in their power for him during his i'll
ness. Mrs. Curry and her daughter, the
only members of the family, earnestly de
sired that Mr.. Curry frequently expressed
wish that the truth should never be made
public should be carried out.
Mr.. Curry lived at Leon, Ia, and was
prominent lawyer in southern Iowa. III
was As years old and had been a leader IL
state politics for several years He was
close friend of C. A. Walsh, secrotary O
the national committee, and an ardent sill
yer man.
About three years ago Mr.. Curry had ,
quarrel with a man in Leon and shot ant
killed him. He was arrested and tried
but made a showing Of self defense, OF
which he was acquitted About the sam,
time he was divorced from his wife, but
year later remarked her, and they hav,
/ lived together since.