The evening times., 1899-09-19
DEATH OF HYMAN EN0CH.
A Unique Figure Familiar TO Al
Washfnstonians PASSES Away.

A Vufaue Figure Familiar to All
Neutrality-suspicious. PASSES Away.
In the death of Hyman Enoch, at the
Washington Asylum Hospital, the city lost
one of the most interesting and at the
same time best-known characters who have
trayersed its streets for many years. The
mere mention of the name of Enoch VIII
hardly recall his identity, but when the
fact is added that he was often humorously
STYLED "Bill Nye," "Ichabod Crane" Long
Bill" Fat William" and other equally as
appropriate and again incOngruous cogno-
mems and that he was book agent, LIE
insurance solicitor, and general perlooi-
cal and stationery peddler, whose marked
feature OF dress was linen duster, ne VIII
be more readily remembered Few person:
in this city will have difficulty in recalling
the grotesque figure of Enoch. Almost eV-
eryone knew him, if not by name, al leasi
by sight.
The man died about 3 O'Clock yesterday
afternoon, as was stated in the poorhouse
hospital. He had been at the institution
since Wednesday, the 18th instant. The
cause of his death is given as complication
of disorders, superinduced by exposure, and
an impoverished condition of mind and
body. Enoch, while apparently penniless.
had his life insured and the proceeds of a
policy in his effects viii be used TO defray
the expenses incident TO his funeral. The
policy was for STA and was taken out some
time ago.
Old Enoch, as the deceased was often call
ed by neighbors, lived at No. 2sl7 Seaton
Street northeast He had occupied the
premises about three months, in fact since
he was burned out at his former home in
Gales Street, block distant. The man
lived with lone companion, faithful dog,
that was accidentally responsible for the
fire at his masters former house, and the
plunging of Enoch into deeper indulgence
and sorrow than he had previously suffered.
While In the Gales Street house Enoch had
procured, piece by piece, quantity OF fur-
niture of cheap but substantial character.
Among his household effects were gas
stove and lamp.
One evening during the middle of june
as Enoch was preparing his frugal repasi
on the stove, the dog accidentally over
turned the lamp with the result that II
exploded and caused a fire, which wrought
almost total devastation at the Enoch
abode Little, of even slight value, was
saved and with those few belongings the
man with his dog removed to the house in
Seaton Street.
There alone with the faithful brute Enoch
was found on the 18th of the present
month by the police of the Ninth precinct.
The discovery was the result of an inves-
tigation made by Stationkeeper Case, OF
No. ] station, who lives near the Seaton
Street abode, and a neighbor who was
alarmed at the non-appearance. OF the
strange man for several days. The whole
neighborhood, in fact, was alarmed about
''Old Enoch.'' His figure. clad in his ILL
fitting and out-of-date costume, which had
long been so familiar as it moved to and
from the house, was missed. Finally il was
decided that the man was sick or dead and
an investigation was decided upon. Case
and the neighbor summoned up enough
courage TO intrude upon the domain of the
man and there found him lying on a couch
in a half-starved and semf-conscious con-
dition. Thrown over his thin and emaciat-
ed frame were doormat, a rug. and odds
and ends of clothing, while the dog
crouched on his legs.
Word was Immediately sent TO the Ninth
precinct. "Old Enoch," who weighed about
3e0 pounds, was lifted onto a stretcher.
placed In the patrol. wagon and taken to the
hospital where everything possible was
done TO make his last days as comfortable
as possible. Enoch realized that he was
dying, spoke OF ii casually. but never refer
red to his past. The man was apparently