Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-28
ALMOST INSTANTLY KILLED
DISTRICT LINEMAN'S FATAL FALL
FROM TELEGRAPH POLE.
Had Been Sent Out to Locate Crossed
Wires-Man Well Known
In Service.

Martin Donaldson, a lineman, for many
years in the employ Of the District Tele-
graph and telephone service, fell this after
noon, about 2:20 o'clock, from a pole at
the corner of 32d and NJ streets, and was
almost instantly killed. The patrol of the
Georgetown police station conveyed him to
the Georgetown University Hospital, where
a hasty examination revealed the fact that
life was extinct. The skull at the base Of
the brain was crushed and the neck was
broken, beside a number of other injuries.
and death ensued within a few moments
after the unfortunate man struck the brick
pavement.
This morning at o'clock the patrol sys-
TEN of the seventh precinct was burned
out. An alarm was brought in by boy
that the box located at the corner of Both
and O streets was fire, smoke issuing
from the interior. The same effect was
noticeable at other boxes Donaldson and
another lineman were sent by Mr.. Simpson,
who is in charge of the electrical service
to investigate. The two men reached the
station shortly after 8 o'clock, and after
making an investigation, came to the con-
clusion that the trouble was caused by a
live electric wire crossing the patrol serv-
ice at some point. Donaldson was ordered
to locate the crossed wire, which was re-
garded as difficult thing. He had been at
work all of the time in trying to find the
point of contact.
Is Seen to Fall. .-.t-.n-
About o'clock he was at work on a
pole near the Aqueduct bridge. After leav-
ing this place he and his companions came
east on M street to 32d street. The pole on
which the accident occurred, and upon
which Donaldson evidently believed the
wires were crossed, Is the second pole from
the corner. about thirty-five or forty feet
high with perhaps six or seven cross arms,
carrying a large number of wires
He haI he n m
when he fell, the accident being witnessed
by number of people. 1t looked as il the
man had been thrown from the pole, his
bcdy going through the air in a horizontal
position, with the head slightly lower than
the feet. The brick pavement was struck
about six or eight feet from the pole. Blood
gushed from the nose and mouth. In a re-
markably short time large crowd gath
cred. The mans head was placed on a cake
of ice and willing hands famed the pros
trate form until the arrival of the patrol
wagon.
The workman who was with the unfortu-
nate man. pending the arrival of the wa
gon. removed the iron spurs which were
strapped his companions feet for the
purpose of climbing the pole. The right
hand of Donaldson was scorched in several
places, and it is supposed that by mistake
he grasped hold of live electric wire, the
shock from the current causing him to lose
his hold.
He was equipped with a pair of gloves,
them at the time of the accident. The
electric wire which he caught hold Of Is
supposed to be one used for lighting the
arc lights, though some people were of the
opinion that 1t was a wire belonging 10
the Georgetown and Tenleytown railroad.
Donaldson was about forty years of age.
Well Known in Service.
Martin Donaldson was perhaps the best
known lineman in the city. He was mar
ried and leaves a widow but no children.
Their home was at No. 121 Carroll street
southeast. The unfortunate man had been
employed in the District service for about
fifteen years He was a sober and indus
trious man, and was considered an expert
climber.
During his long years of service he was
associated with John Owens. a lineman
who lost his life in similar manner at Sd
and l streets only about two months ago.
Donaldson a BROTHER of Arthur M
Donaldson, assistant foreman of No. Ii
engine company of this city.