Evening star., 1898-10-29
Discovered BY the Keeper Of George
town Precinct Station.
HEART FAILURE ALLEGED As CAUSE
Was a Prisoner on the Charge Of
lhtoxication.
BUT LITTLE KNOWN OF HIM

seVenty-tWo years, who Wes locked up yes
terday afterLccn at the Georgetown station
house on 4 charge of intoXication, was
found dead in his cell about 9:15 o'clock
this morning; by the day station keeper,
Samuel Goodman, who vas about to release
the prisoner. An examination of the body
revealed tha fact that life was extinct, but
that the man had been dead for not more
tEan nalf an hour. The janitor of the sta
ton, Moses Il. Booth. who was working in
the cell corridor, had heard no unusual
sounds coming from the cell. Copeland
happened to be the only prisoner in the
station and 1t was thought that he was
asleep. WheIl he was discovered the posi-
ton of the body was exactly that of one
asleep, and tits is regarded as an indica-
ton that death came without a pain or
struggle.
The last seen of Copeland alive was short
ly alter O'Clock this morning. The janitor
passed by the cell, and the man was stand
ms at the iron grating CT the door. He did
not appear tc be sick, and called the Jan
itor and said
Where's the sergeant? Tell him 1 want
to get out
The jaaitor repeated to Sergt. James Con-
lon the wish of the prisoner, and the latter
med surprised.
thought COPELAND wanted to go to the
hospital" said he in reply. IF he is all
right We vii. let him out in a little while"
Apparently Asleep.
Shortly after O'Clock the day station
keeper went to the cell room with the key
to cell No. /, in which Cop Gland was con-
lined When he reached the cell the pris-
oner was lying down, as stated. as though
SOUND asleep. Not caring to disturb the
man, and thinking that the additional sI,un
pei Woulu &c MIN good. the station keeper
'"f f, teu out 10 the front room Of the station.
a, = iew minutes later he Went back TO the
teh' ana copeland was in the same posi-
tioh. Unlocking the door to arouse The
h'dh' inc olGcel discovered that deatn had
interVencd ~
"A cal! for physician was Immediately
sent out. DR.. Shekeil, who lives on :{2j
street opposite = street, came a few MIN
u'es later, shd pronounced life extinct.
Cop7lahd was lying on tie iron bench at
the ldrth4St point from the door The boov
vas pooiiy cIad in Old Clothing, with SHOES
worn through IN places. An old slouch Rat
was on me mead and the knees were slight
~ vi avn up, as though the man was at
nctanptihs 10 Keep warm. The tin cup in
"h!cH prisoners are furnished drinking wa
Ter was covered with bandana handkpr-
chie1' ana on this the left sie of the pris-
onefs lace was 'restlhg, Deing used as a
pillow. Death had been .alJsn) i, 10 ~
EeNed, by heart failure
ihe body was left in the posirion !,
Wihch 1t was found, and a snort time later
'h1 coroner was notified. Lieut.. SwindeIIs
anu most OF the men of the precinct had
ieft Tor the drill at National Park
locked tp at His own ReGuest,
Copeland came into\ the station house
Yesterday afternoon at 40 O'Clock, accord
ing to the record of arrests, and renuestad
mat he be locked UP and sent to the hos
pltal in the morning. Policeman Herndon
who happened TO be in the room, took
charge of the man and placed him in the
J. HI
huence of liquor, il is said, bus able to
answer questions. He vas camlliar fpura
at the station, having been arrested a Etm
Der OF times within the past year.
Alter being placed Ii d cell his actors
were the same as the ordinary drunk He
shouted and talked until quite lat. at nieht
though it was not believed ne Was threat
ened with an attack of ielirium tremens
1hls morning he appeared 20 be all right
the eff 1cts of the liquor ne drank having
worn off
Before he appeared at the station yester-
Gay and asked TO be locked up he was seen
on the streets by a nAG9er OF people.
S=rgt. Fritz PaSsau and Policeman Housed
met him on NJ street, aud he was then
pretty well under The li.ilucaca of IinuCr.
staggering, so it is said. He told tae Iolice
mat unless he was locked Hp he was going
TO do something for which n would be az
rested. The sergeant informed him if he
did not move on quickly ne would be sent
up to ths Station, This was a few minutes
IL fore ) O'Clock. An hour or 50 later the
man was seen coming UP j2d street, very
drunk, and asking almost everybody he
came across for a nickel VI Il car ticket
ladies' as well as men.
Was Cnrnentcr
Copeland gave his age as seventy-two,
and stated that he was single Though he
as well known to the police, very little
can be learned of his family. He lived at
Tenleytown, and during the life OF Mr.
John Noonan the latter provided q home
for him. Copeland followed the trade of
"A carpenter for Il living, and performed
numerous odd jobs for Mr.. Noonan Since
the death of his benefactoT, il is said. he
had a hard time of it, and on account
Of his rather shiftlcss ha0its and uncertain
working hours he secured very little work
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