The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-18

The mystery surrounding the identity
and death OF John Coul=on. iorty-uine
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-Nrs. 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 potters field,
where they are supposed TO have been
buried yesterday afternoon, and turned
over to Speares undertaking establish
ment Coroner Carr VIII direct that TINS
request be complied with tomorrow morn
ing Il is stated that COulsOn death re-
suited from pneumonia
Information obtained last night Was TO
the effect that Coulson called at rho 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
aud 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-
Quested 10 notify his friends the address
given BY the man prior 10 his death being
also communicated TO the authorities.
when Couson 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. il is
said. and the Health Office was accord
ingly notified Of the case.
Late Friday afternoon q wagon called
at the hospital. presumably from the
Health Department, and removed the re-
mains the statement being made that they
were 10 be buried in potter's field. During
yesterday nothing was learned Of the dead
mans identity. and until last night the
police claimed 10 have been uniformed
regarding the matter Then Major Sylves-
ter directed that the affair be invest igated
Detective Peck visited the hospital and
the number given the address ot The de-
ceased and finally located the widow OIL
COulson.
It 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 eNhumed
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
the presumption is that the remains are
placed in potter's field but it was stated
last night hv .l police that medical col
le- 81. .n.s e..e and elsewhere, at
H-saa ...-aE -1r1 bod es for examination
and 1I. Ar a-rt will be made TO
rrr-ulr af'a th. r.at of Mrs. C0ulsGn,
h.HaTtr.
sr.f,- -.lra-.s Stated last night that he
rs. a-H-rlrutI at .ns .sse until late last
-,enuG lie said fhlt he mOrgue was the
proper place for 40 uril ltifed dead. and
fhst such bodies should be placed there
uuu efforts % -sr.ff Aem had failed
trba Chief -r Police r T said that the
haspitaT should -ae police. as far as
ross Die ly reporting promptly all cases
o. unidentified persons who apply for treat
ment. and especially in cases where death
results.
The hostital authorities state that they
took all measures in their power to secure
she ideu,ihcation of CoulsOn. lnasmuch 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 uT
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 al
one time employed As butler al the Chilean
Legation. but after losing his position sew
eraI years ago. he had been dependent upor
temporary employment. A short time ag'
he widow OF the deceased secured en-
ployment. ana Coulson took up his abode
mn Rnr.nn as .Latnl