Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-09-20
MIR. 7. n. ROCKWELL, OF PETERS
BURG, DIED IN WASHINGTON.
HIS DEATH WA. ACCIDENTAL
Unfortunate Nan WAS at Johnson,s
Hote1-Found Lying Face Down
weed with the Room Door Locr-
ed-rrohab'y Made an Attempt to
Escape.
Man Was at Johnson,s
Escape.

WASHINGTON, d. c., September 49,
tSpecia1)-Mr. I. r. Rockwell, who had
1or many years been engaged in the coal
business and other enterprises in Peters
burg, where he was well known, is dead
IN this city from asphyxiation, while his
vile is in a serious condition at the home
Of her sister, in this city. The case is a
particularly sad one. Mr.. Rockwell, who
had arrived here from a business trip to
New York, lost his life in the Hotel John
son, where many Virginians coming to
Washington stop
The odor of escaping gas was discovered
about $50 o'clock this morning by Mrs.
Kemp. the housskeeper at the hotel, and
closer investigation revealed the fact that
the odor came from room 119, which was
occupied by a blr. Rockwell whose resi-
dence was given as New York.
Mr.. Johnson, the proprietor Of the hotel,
vas Immediately notified, and together
with Lee Harvey, the head bell boy, and
other employees, he went to the room on
the second floor. The door was found
locked. One of the bell boys secured a
chair, and standing upon it. he peered
over the transom, when he say the body
of Mr.. Rockwell lying on the floor face
DOWNWARD against the door.
Harvey went upon the roof of the build
ing adjoining the hotel on the south, and
separated by only a narrow alley, and
by means of a plank placed from the roof
Of the building to the window sill heswas
enabled to open the window and go to the
mans assistance. Mr.. johnson thought
there was still hope for the stricken man,
ana sent IN a call for the ambulance from
the Emergency Hospital, when he was
taken to the hospital, where DR.. Stuart
employed all known means to restore him,
but without avail. DR.. Stuart is under the
impression that the man died before he
was discovered in his room
IT was found that the gas was turned
on from a jet in the room. When found
the body had bruise on the forehead,
indicating that the victim had discovered
his danger and made an attempt to reach
and open the door, but fell against it be-
fore he could accomplish his purpose,
and laid there until removed by the at
PENDANTS from the hospital.
POLICE NOTIFIED.
The police of the first precinct were no
titled at once Of the occurrence, and Off
Ger Oriana was sent to investigate the
case. Shortly afterward word came from
the physician ut the hospital that the
man was dead. and Lieutenant Amiss,
of the first precinct, took charge OF the
mans clothing and personal effects which
were found in the room. Up to this time
there was no information as to the iden-
tity of the victim, other than his name
and residence on the hotel register.
In the pockets of the dead mans cloth
ing were found a lady's gold hunting
case watch. pocket-book containing Sl4
in bills, three $3.50 gold pieces some loose
change, several blank checks of the Bank
Of Petersburg, Va, and several other
small articles. A pocket diary was also
found In his coat pocket, the last entry
IN it being made September 18th, but there
was nothing written but the date. The
14th Of September Mr.. Rockwell had made
the entry, "In bed all day"
About Ii o'clock, while the body OF the
dead man was still at the Emergency
Hospital awaiting the arrival of the coro-
ner Mr.. Joseph B. Luckett. manager OF
the Columbia Theatre, and his father,
Mr.. C. E. Luckett, together with several
| gentlemen called at the hospital and
! asked for permission to see the body or
Mr.. Rockwell. Mr.. G. E. Luckett stated
that the dead man was his brother-ln-
law. having married. the sister of Mr..
Luckett's wife The wife of the dead
| man, it was stated, had come to Wash
ington several days ago for visit with
her sister, when she became III and Is now
in a serious condition at the home Of her
brother-in-l law, SIS Twelfth street north
west.