Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-12-12
ASPHYXiATI0N OF
AN AGED COUPLE.
Mr.. and Mrs. Robert Roberts
Found Dead at their Home,
Ills West Eighth St.
THE HOUSE FILLED WITH GAS
Which Had Escaped From a
let Supposed to Have Been
Accidentally Turned on
by One of the Parties.

Robert Roberts, aged about 76 years,
and his wife, Mrs. Sarah Roberts, who
was about 70, years Of age, were found
dead at their residence, l115 West
Eighth street, at 10. 30 clock Saturday
morning, having been asphyxiated dur
ing the night. "A gas jet which is in
tended to supply gas to stove was
found turned On, and as 1t is connected
with light jet it 10 supposed that in
turning off light when retiring Friday
night either Mr.. Roberts or his wife
accidentally turned the othsr valve, and
Ms it is not connected with a stove the
gas flowed oopiously sherefrom and soon
filed the upper portion of the house
MIR. and Mrs. Roberts have lived in
the house for some time, and, although
there was no one living With them they
felt no alarm, as they were related to
two nslgboring families, those of Isaac
W. Hallam Of lila West Eighth street,
across the street, and Joseph ID. Patton,
1103 West Eighth street, few doors
below Mr.. and Mrs. Roberts were daily
visitors to the H3llam and Patton
houses, and as neither of the aged
people was seen SATURDAY morning their
relatives became uneasy, as did also
Mrs. James O. Dillon, who lives in the
adjoining house, l117A Mrs. Dillon
first noticed that there was something
wrong shortly after 10 o'clock, seeing
the shutters closed and not having seen
or heard anything of Mr. Roberts or
his wife. Az about the same time the
relatives bad their suspicions aroused
and as Mrs. Dillon thought she de-
tscted the odor of gas. II was feared
that something serious had happened.
Irving Stetser and Harry Doud, who
were passing, were called and requested
to make an investigation They climbed
the front porch and entered one OF the
second story front windows. The gas
,odor was SO strong when they raised the
window that they could not enter until
some fresh air could be let in. In the
second story front room Messrs. Doud
ard Stetser found the body Of Mr..
Roberts lying across his bed, with the
1feet on the floor. and from the position
of the body 1t looked as il be had made
an etiort to arise and was unable to do
SO. Deceaaed bad on his night clothing.
The body was cold, indicating that life
had been extinct for some time.
In the next room was found the body
of Mrs Roberts. She was also in her
night clothes.. She was sitting on
commode, with her head resting in
corner Of the room. Had it not been
for the fact that she was 10 oorner
she would lnost likely have fallen to
the floor. The young men who were
making the investigation thought they
discovered some warmth in the body
and efforts were at once begun to get a
physician. DR.. Willard Il. Smith was
summoned, but he found that Mrs.
Roberts had been dead for some time.
Both bodies were placed on the bed
in the front room and messages were
sent TO the Police Department and cor
oner's office. Capt. Kane and Coroner q
Undertaken Chandler we're soon on the
scene and the latter took charge of the
bodies. The captain and Mr.. Chandler
looked after the house until arrange
ments could be made by relatives.
Mr.. Roberts aud his wife were we'll
known people Mi. Roberts had lived
retired for some time and ne and his
wife took things quietly. Both were
enjoying their usual good health Frikay
evening and the news of their death
was a shock to their friends.
A small dog, which was 10 the house
all night, escaped being asphyxiatsd by
remaining in the lower part of the
house, and when people began to knock
on the doors and windows Saturday
the dog barked as IL very much an
noyed by the intrusion Ii did not ap-
pear to be affected by the gas, although
gas was noticed all over the house.
The jet from which it escaped was in
the second story front room. -