The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-10-23
FATAL END OF A DEBAUCH
r. W. GROSS, A CANDYNAkER
FALLS AND BREAKS HIS NECK.
Deao BODY Found At Foot of High
steps In Front of His Lodgings 1t
S23 fesier Way-Came Of Good
oregon Famiiy-Ruined by Drink.

Frederick William Gross. Is wears Of
age. eandymaker employed by f.. NJ.
Ihurlow in the Palace OF Sweets at sa
Second avenue. fell from high porch in
front OF his lodgings at 52y Yesler way
early yesterday morning and was Instant
~ Killed His neck was broken by the
iaii' The accident was the termination Of
an al!-night drunken orgie.
Gross one fault was drunkenness He
was splendid workman and received high
wages He was single young man Of fine
appearance and well educated lie came
or good family In Portland, Or, and had
many advantages not possessed by the
ordinary workingman. But all these he
neglected in order TO indulge IN hissipa-
tion, and yesterday morning paid the PEN
atty with his life at the end OF his last
debauch.
There was no eyewitness to the occur
renee. but there Is little question that
Gross death was purely accidental The
last time he was seen alive was at about
4:O o'clock yesterday morning when. in
company with a woman, he was driven
To the Hillside saloon On Yesier way In a
hack There the haekdriver bought n
bottle Of beer and took Il out 10 the couple
An hour or so later w. l.. Myers was com
ing down YesI-r way. when he stumbled
over Cross body lying across the side
walk at the foot of the high steps In front
of No. 523
Myer thought that Gross was in q
drunken stupor and notified the police
Sergeant Ward, who was on watch at
headquarters, sent the patrol wagon with
Acting Jaiier Meffoyd in charge to bring
the supposed drunken man 10 the station
Mefford found Gross stone dead. He re-
ported the fact to Sergeant Ward and
Coroner Sparl!ng was notified The body
was removed 10 Bonnsy e. Stewards
morgue. where II now Is. An inquest VII
be held today IL Coroner Sparkling decides
that one Is necessary.
After the body had been removed tosthe
morgue the police made an investigation
OF the case. with the result that the fact
OF Gross visiting the Hillside saloon
shortly before the body was found was
ascer.ained. The barkeeper who was on
watch at the time did not know who The
woman In the hack was or the name Of
the hack driver. The bottle of beer that
Gross bought at the saloon was found at
the top OF the high steps unopened. With
Ii lay Gross umbrella. IL is supposed that
he dropped the articles and was leaning
over the railing when he lost his balance
and fell 10 the pavement, fourteen feet
below.
The police were informed that when
Gross left the saloon he had abou. s. in
silver In his possession. When the body
was removed TO the nlorsue only 81 cents
was found in the clothing. The police DO
not believe, however. that Gross met foul
play. and think tie probably spent the
money before going 10 his lodgings. two
blocks from the saloon.
From Gross landlady II was learned by
the police tina; Gross had been drinking
heavily Of late. going on sprees each Sat
urday night and sometimes on other nights
during the week. She had demonstrated
with him. she said In vain.
Gross brother Edward, who Is foreman
In Thuriow's candy factory. told about the
same story. saying that he had used every
endeavor 10 induce his brother TO quit his
drinking habits without success. Another
brother and the mother OF the unfortunate
young man live m Portland.