The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-20
A LIVE WIRE KILLS TWO.
Michael Hurley, White, and Thomas
Hall. CoIored.- tiie Victims.

An electric wire in theScellar of the 81
loon Of ]. J. oKeefe, Jig Seventh Street
| northwest. CAUSED the deHth last night of
| Michael Hurley. bartender. twenty years
| of age, and of Thomas Hail. colored. en-
p1oyed about the place as helper. Both
bodies are at the morgue.
About year ago the saloon of o'Keefe
was fitted up with electric lights. During
February last the company supplying the
current was directed to cut off the
current from the building. Gas was then
substituted. Two supply wires were left
in a conduit which communicated with the
saloon through the cellar from the main
conduit in the street.
Hall had been employed about the sa-
loon for more than a year. He did odd
jobs, but seldom had occasion to enter the
cellar. There are two entrances to the
cellar. one from the pavement, through a
trap door, the other by means Of a narrow
stairway in the rear OF the building. The
trap door is more convenient to the bar.
Formerly a framework of wood covered the
electric wiring, which, after leaving the
small conduit, ran along the side of the
wall for several feet, turned upward and
passed through the flooring into the saloon.
This framework had been demolished, it
being the custom to place kegs of beer and
other supplies in the cellar through the
trap door, the width of which would not
permit free access to the basement with
out contact and consequent damage to the
covering Of the wires. The wires were
thus exposed, but nothing was thought OF
this, owing to the supposed cutting off of
the current from the street.
Last night Hall was told to go into the
cellar and tap keg of beer. Chalmus
Rogers, another negro, generally did this
work. but he was otherwise employed at
the time Hall started for the cellar by
the trap door. He lifted the iron grating
beneath which there is a fall of about six
feet to the flooring of the cellar. Hall
jumped lightly into the cellar. In so do
ing his left hand came in contact with one
OF the electric wires running along the
wall of the cellar. He uttered n groan
and clutched the wire with both hands
Chalmus Rogers had started 10 descend
into the cellar after Hall. He seized Hail
and pulled him from the wire, which was
badly twisted before the hold of the negro
was released. Rogers was severely
shocked but called for help. Word was
sent for physician, but Hall was dead
within few seconds.
Michael Hurley was employed by O'Keefe
last Tuesday He went to work at noon
and again last night at 6 o'clock. He helped
remove the body Of Hall from the cellar.
1t was necessary TO secure fresh beer, but
Hurley waited until William Broderick,
also bartender at the place. came in
about l. o'clock. Broderick started for the
cellar. Hurley explained the position of
the wires to him, but went with him to
examine the wires while Broderick tapped
the beer. Broderick had entered the cellar,
avoiding the wires. Hurley was about to
follow Frederick. when the, latter called
to him to return and tend bar This re
called to Hurley that fhere was no one in
the saloon and he started for the trap. As
he reached Il he touched the live wire,
elutehed it. and fell dead. a man named
Lony Paris, living above the saloon. was
standing at the opening of the trap He
saw the accident. He called loudly and
several persons gathered Broderick from
the cellar shouted for help ESQ, and Police
man Baker, Of the Second precinct, with
others. removed the body of Hurley from
the cellar through the rear stairway
Mr.. OKeefe proprietor of the saloon (
was away when the accident occurred. He
returned shortly after Hurley was killed /
he sent werd TO an uncle of Hurley, John |
Cnllinan, who keeps saloon in George
town, and to the wife of Hall
1t is expected Coroner hewitt will deter
mae uDon an inquest in each case this |
morning. a.-S