The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-18
4 MYSTERY CLEARED UP
Identity of the Unknown Hospital
Patient Established.
John tonison the Dead Mans Name
the Police Cannot Positively As
certain What disposition Was
Made of it-Furtber Investigation.

The mystery surrounding the identity
and death of John Coulson. forty nine
years Of age. who expired suddenly at the
Emergency Hospital late Thursday after
noon, has been cleared up. Detective Peck
was assigned to the case last night, and
after an investigation he located the wife
OF the dead man-Mrs Helen Coulson-at
1924 Thirteenth Street northwest, and in
formed her of the death of her husband.
She requested that the remains of her
husband be eXhumed from potter's field,
where they are supposed to have been
buried yesterday afternoon. and turned
over to Speare's undertaking establish
meEt. Coroner Carr VIII direct that this
request be complied with tomorrow MORN
ing. 1t is stated that Coulson's death re-
suited from pneumonia.
Information obtained last night was to
the effect that Coulson called at the hos
pital late Wednesday Afternoon. He was
suffering from a severe cold and was
placed In a ward for treatment. During
Thursday the patient developed pneumonia
and he died late that afternoon. Accord
ing to statements made at the hospital,
the police of the Third precinct were in
formed of the death of Coulson and re-
given by the man prior TO his death being
also communicated 20 the authcrities.
When Coulson entered the hospital he
stated that his address was 1928 o Street
northwest. This number proved to be
false, as investigation has developed.
During Friday nothing was reported 10 the
hospital authorities by the police it is
said and the Health Office was accord
ingiy notified of the case.
Iafp Friday aftprDoan v-a oon called
at the hospital presumably from the
Health Department. and removed the re-
mains the statement being made that they
were to be buried in potter's field. During
yesterday nothing was learned of the dead
mans identity, and until last night the
police claimed to have been uninformed
regarding the matter. Then Major Sylves-
ter directed that the affair be investigated.
Detective Peck visited the hospital and
the number given as the address of the de-
ceased, and finally located the widow of
Coulson
1t was learned that COulson had lived
for several years with William Bowen,
in the rear of 1926 o Street northwest,
and that he had been missing from his
home for three weeks past Mrs. Coulson,
who is employed in a private family, was
seen and told of the death of her husband.
She asked that the remains be exhumed
and given a proper burial
Whether this can be done is not known
In similar cases. where burial of dead
bodies is left to the Health Department,
fhe presumption is that the remains are
placed in Potter's field but it was stated
last night h. The police that medical col
leg both tu tnis city and elsewhere, at
times secured such bed es for examination
and study An effort will be made to
comply with the request of Mrs. Coulson,
however
Major Sylveste, stated last night that he
was uniuf3rmed OF the case until late last
evening. He said that the morgue was the
proper place for all unidentiied dead. and
that such bodies should be placed there
until efforts 10 Identity hem had failed.
The Chief Of Police f9rttar said that the
hospital should assist lie police as far as
possible by reporting promptly all cases
OF unidentified persons who apply for treat
ment. and especially in cases where death
results.
The hospital authorities state that they
took all measures in their power to secure
the Identification of Coulson. Inasmuch as
they notified the police of his death and
the address given by him. they feel re-
neved of responsibility in the matter.
Coulson was born in Manchester Eng
land, and was forty eight years old. He
came to this country in 1881, and took up
his residence in this city the following
year. Sixteen years ago he was married.
and since that time. until three years ago
he lived with his wife here Coulson was at
oae time employed as butler at the Chilean
Legation but after losing his position sew
erai years ago he had been dependent upon
employment A short time ago
the widow of the deceased secured en-
and Coulson took up his abode
with Bowen. as stated