Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-28
DIED In THE NIGHT.
MIR. JAMES wooDaLI. PASSED
AWAY SUDDENLY IN his ROOM.
BODY FOUND LYING ON THE FLOOR.
Ills Wife Died some Weeks Ago,
ana since That Time He Had been
Drinking Heaviiy-Coroner Viewed
the Remnins.

Mr.. James Woodall, for many years a
furniture dealer on Broad street died
during Sunday night. and his body was
found about 5 o'clock yesterday morning.
stretched out on the floor of his bed
room. at No. 800 east Broad street. cold
In death.
Deceased had been complaining for
several days of violent pains IN his side.
but he had been drinking excessively
for some months, and but little atten-
ton was paid TO his complaints.
He lived alone in the second story of
the house in which he died, his wants
being attended TO by Eleanor Watkins.
a colored servant. He was in his room
Sunday night at o'clock. when the Wat
kins woman left, and aside from being
under the influence of liquor. she noticed
nothing unusual about him. Yesterday
morning when she returned, however. TO
resume her domestic duties, she went TO
his room and knocked loudly on his door.
without gaining response She then
entered the darkened room, and noticed
that the bed had been unoccupied. She
became accustomed 20 the darkness. she
espied a large object lying on the floor,
in a corner Of the room, which she ascer-
tanned. upon examination. was the life
less body OF her employer.
INFORMED THE POLICE.
The woman was panic-stricken when
she realized the situation, and badly
frightened. she rushed from the house
and notified the police of her terrible
find. The officer at once telephoned for
the Coroner. and Or. Taylor at once visit
ed the deserted place and viewed the
body. He was satisfied that death had
been due to natural causes but was I'M
able to determine the exact nature of the
attack. SC he made out a certificate set
ting forth that the deceased came to his
death from causes unknown. The body
had been llfelesS, so DIR. Taylor decided
[ for a number Of hours.
The servant told the Coroner that Mr..
Woodall had been drinking quite heavily
OF late. on Saturday last, while intoXi-
Gated. he had fallen she said the entire
length of the front stairway-about 20
feet-and after being helped back up
stairs. had complained Of pain in his
side.
Sunday evening Mr. Woodall seemed 20
When the negress had prepared to depart
for the night, he had asked her to re-
main, but she pleaded household cares
OF her own, and after lighting the lamp
i'm his bedroom, had left the house at $50
O'Clock.
A SOLEMN CEREMONY.
Mr.. Woodall had been a widower only
a few weeks. Readers of the Dispatch
viii doubtless remember an account Of a
wedding celebrated at his home around
his wife's deathbed, which was published
about a month ago. The young wife was
Mrs. Woodalrs granddaughter, and IL
being the desire Of the aged lady that her
granddaughter should be welded before
her death the nuptal arrangements.
which had already been made, were has
tened forward. when 1t was ascertained
| that death was lowering about the home.
Mrs. Woodall bTeathed her last few
| hours after the ceremony, and now her
| husband, who was present at the mar
riage. has also crossed beyond the river.
Deceased is survived by the young
| bride-Mrs. w. b. Crady-who was re-
| lated to his wife by a former marriage,
! and a stepsOn--Alr. w. Allison Hunter.
! of this city Mr.. Woodall had failed in
! business about year ago, and his husi-
| ness reyerses. together with his wife
| death, preyed upon his mind to such an
extent as 10 cause him TO resort to drink.
! He was about 60 years Of age, and was
quite well known In Richmond.