Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-30

dent occurred and was instantly summon
ed. He examined the body and found the
back broken in several places and life eX-
tinct. Telephone messages were Immediate
ly sent to Mr.. Wiletts sons and intimate
friends, and the body was shortly remov-
ed to the house Of a relative.
The accident is said to have been the
result of the moving operations going on.
While the moving of the department from
its old home on F. street has been IN pro-
gress the contractors have been permitted
to use the middle elevator. This necessi-
tated the removal of one of the elevator
doors on each floor to permit the unload
ing of the car This car was used eXclu-
sively a freight elevator. There are
two doors at each landing. which slide
horizontally and when both doors are
opened there is space four feet wide. One
of the doors, as stated above. remov-
ed each floor and the other one was
pushed back The one removed is tenn
porarily hinged to the iron framework,
and when furniture is not being transferred
is laid across the opening. Being only two
feet wide. it is but little protection, and 1t
was an easy matter for person in lean
ing over the small barrier to lose his foot
hold and fall. This is rendered all the
more probable if the sliding door is slight
ly pushed to and the person leans upon it
for support. After the accident watch
men were placed at each landing.
Particulars of the Accident.
The tragedy occurred shortly after 8
o'clock Mr.. Wilett entered the building
about 9 o'clock and walked directly to the
north elevator. He seemed abstracted and
passed an intimate friend, a Mr.. Riddle,
without recognizing him, apparently. En-
tering the car, he spoke to the conductor,
and in response to question said he want
ed to get off at Mr.. Beavers floor. Mr..
Beavers is chief of the salary and allow
ance division, and has been warm friend
of the eX-postmaster Some one told him
tI hi ffSg.n .,,I 1aa
paced up and down the hall. His condition
having been weakened by previous Illness,
he was unsteady on his feet, and his con-
slant pacing attracted the attention of
William H. White, laborer engaged in
sweeping the fourth floor. The latter hesi-
tated and watched Mr.. Willett intently. re-
marking to himself, as he afterward told
a reporter of The Star That man certainly
must be sick" AS he watched Mr. Willett
the latter suddenly stopped and went up
stairs to the fifth floor, presumably with
the intention of seeing the Postmaster Gen
eral White was standing near the ele-
vator shaft. and soon after Mr.. Willett
passed to the upper floor he saw a body
shoot down. He ran TO the door and peer
ed over the ledge. Seventy-two feet below
the PROSTATE form of Mr. Willett lay
stretched across the iron beam at the top
of the car, and people were wildly calling
for help.
AT the time of the accident the men were
loading the elevator, and Conductor Queen
was giving the command ''All aboard pre-
paratory to going up. Without any warn
ing, they felt a shock and looking up, saw
the body suspended across the top of the
car. The fall had Jared the car, and it
had been SO severe that the CATERS of the
dead man had been torn off. Peter Dayly
George Thorn and James Queen were in
the at the time and narrowly escaned
being struck. AS soon they realized
what had happened Superintende Himrod
was called for, and with the assistance of
the other men, succeeded in disenga ging
the body. Medical aid summoned but
death had been instantaneous, the spine
being broken in several places.
No one knows exactly how the accident
occurred. and but for The fact that thu
dead mans umbrella was found on the fifth
ficor, no one could Tell from where he had
fallen. 1t is presumed Mr.. Willett, in look
ing down the shaft either became dizzy
by reason of his Wea akened condition and
fell. or that he suffered Il stroke of apo
pieXy and pitched headforemost down the
sEaft. Another probability is that he was
looking down the shaft and the sliding
door, upon which he had placed his hand.
Closed suddenly and threw him forward
The News Spreads Quickly.
The news of the accident spread with
lightning rapidity, and soon a considerable
crowd had gathered about the prostrate
form Although there We're several in the
crowd who We're friends of Mr.. WilIett, not
one recognized him, and it was only after
scme one had looked in the back of his
watch and found the Inscription of his
friends in the Office who presented it to hin,
when he left the service that thy were
fully convinced Of the identity Then low
ing hands removed the body to the room
he had occupied when he was post master
and placed him, ,near the desk at which he
had SO often sat. The features were calm
and peaceful, and there was no trace of
suffering The severe injuries he had sus-
tanned had not marred him, and he Law as
If asleep. Many of his warm personal
friends visited the room and looked upon
the features IF their old friend whose
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