The times., 1899-10-03
sHANER,s TRAGIC DEATH.
Contact with a Live Electric Ligh
Wire Results Fatally

Wire Results Fatally.
Abraham ]. Shaner eandymaker. nine
teen years of age whose home was at 709
Sheridan Street northwest was instantly
killed while viewing the parade in honor of
Admiral Dewey about 1920 O'Clock last
night. Death was caused by contact with
live electric light wire crossing over the
roof of the candy factory of W. S. Gill, at
1928 Pennsylvania Avenue northwest.
where Shaner was employed. The death
was witnessed by two young women, who
are employed at the candy factory, and
George Ryan, who lived with Shaner. I'm
mediately after the fatal accident Shaner
was carried from the roof and placed in the
ambulance from Freedmanis Hospital. He
was then conveyed to the Emergency Hos
pital, where the surgeons, after a careful
examination, pronounced life extinct. The
only marks about the man indicating the
cause Of death were burn of the left
palm and a scorching of the back OF the
right hand. At a late hour last night the
body was still in the hospital morgue. 1t
was announced that the parents OF the
dead man would take charge OF the body
this morning.
According to the story alleged to have
been told the police by the man Ryan,
lut uGdk1 OI SHdHGE Was the result OF d
most peculiar accident. Shaner, ii appears,
in company with the two young women
and Ryan, mounted the roof of the candy
manufactory for the purpose of getting
point OF vantage to witness the parade.
The party had been on the roof but short
time when Ryan, 1t is said, took hold of
an electric light wire and was lifted on
his toes The wire, it appears, was in
sulated except at point where con-
nection is said to have been made. When
Ryan grasped the wire he did so at point
distant from the connection and felt per-
ceptibly the shock given out but not to
any injurious or alarming extent. He is
said to have exclaimed as he released his
hold on the wire: This is funny, you can.
catch hold of this wire and get a shock"
Shaner, who was standing on the left of
Ryan. and nearer the connection in the
wire then, it is said, took hold of the wire
and suddenly stiffening, exclaimed: Why
did you not tell me?" The man fell limp
to the roof. There was no other sound ex-
cept an agonized cry. from the young wo-
men.
1t required but a few moments to ac-
quaint T. H. Sharp of the Norris House, at
the corner OF Twelfth and E Streets north
west, of what had occurred. He summoned
Sergeant Hartley and Policeman Sawyer,
of the Fourth precinct, and the three men,
assisted by Ryan, took the lifeless body
of Shaner in their arms and carried it
from the roof to the hospital ambulance,
for which Sharp had sent in a call In the
vain hope that life WAS not yet extinct a
run was made for the hospital.
Shaner is said to have been a hard work
ing and industrious young man, with many
friends. The announcement OF his death,
when made to his parents and friends, was
lr.1
been at home since morning, having signi-
fed his intention when starting for work
in the morning of remaining down town
to see the parade, expecting TO return home
whe<- it was concluded. After the body had
been placed in the morgue at the hospital
a communication was sent to Coroner Carr.
He will view the body this morning and
determine whether an inquest is neces-
sary.