Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-19
DEATH CAUSED BY GAS
Asphyxiation Of Prominent
Citizen Of Petersburg.
FOUND IN HOTEL ROOM
BODY IDENTIFIED BY WASHING
TON RELATIVES.
Wife Of Dead Man in This City a Suf
ferer From Serious
Illness.
FOUND IN HOTEL ROOM

Mr.. I. r. Rockwell, a prominent resident
| and business man of Petersburg. Va, was
the victim this morning of death by
phyXiation in his room at the Hotel john
son in this city. The odor of escaping gas
was discovered about $40 o'clock this
morning by Mrs. Kemp, the housekeeper at
the hotel, ana closer investigation revealed
the fact that the odor came from room 119.
which was occupied by Mr.. Rockwell,
| whose residence was given New York.
Mr.. Johnson, the proprietor of the hotel,
was 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 tran
| som, when he saw the body of Mr.. Rock
well 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 he was en-
abed to open the window and go to the
mans assistance. Mr.. Johnson thought
there was still hope for the stricken man,
and sent in call for the ambulance from
| the Emergency Hospital, WHel lie was
taken to the hospital, where DR.. Stuart en-
ployed all known means to restore him, but
without avail. DR.. Stuart is under the i'm
preston that the man died before he was
discovered in his room.
| 1t was found that the gas was turned on
from jet in the room. When found the
body had a bruise on the forehead, indi-
eating that the victim had discovered his
danger and made an attempt to reach and
q fe before q
could accomplish his purpose. and laid
there until removed by the attendants from
the hospital
Police Notified.
The police of the first precinct were moth
fed at once of the occurrence and Officer
Oriana was sent to Investigate the case.
Shortly afterward word came from the ply
sician at the hospital that the man was
dead, and Lieut. Amiss of the first precinct
took charge of the mans clothing and per-
sonal effects which were found in the room.
Up to this time there no information
as to the identity of the victim, other than
his name and residence on the hotel reg
lister.
In the pockets of the dead mans clothing
were found a lady's gold hunting-case
watch, pocket book containing S44 In bills,
three $3.50 gold pieces, some loose change,
several blank checks of the Bank of Peters,
A pocket diary was also found in his coat
pocket, the last entry in 1t being made
September 10. but there was nothing writ
ten but the date. The 14th of September
MIR. Rockwell had made the entry, In bed
all day
About IL o'clock, while the body Of the
dead man was still at the Emergency Hos
pital awaiting the arrival of the coroner,
Mr.. Joseph B. Luclzett, manager OF the Co.
lumba Theater, and his father, Mr.. c. e.
Luckett together with Several gentlemen,
called at the hospital and asked for per-
mission to see the body of Mr.. Rockwell.
Mr. c. F. Luckett stated that the dead man
was his brother-in-law, having married the
sister of Mr.. LUckett's wife. The wife or
the dead man, it was stated mad come 10
Washington several days ago for visit
with her sister. when she became i'll and
is now in serious condition at the home
of her brother-in-laW, SD Eth street north
west.
Statement of a Relative.
.Mr Rockwell reached the city yester-
day evening about 6 o'clock" said Mr.
Joseph Luckett to a Star reporter, land he
was at my fathers home until late last
night. 1 left him at the corner of 18th and
G streets about 80 O'Clock, when he went
directly to the hotel. He had been to New
York on a business trip and was on his way
home, but stopped off here to visit his reia-
tves for few days. as is his custom ana
to see his wife, who was taken III mere sew
eral days ago.
II am sure he had no thought of death
when he left me last night he is about
sixtv wears of age, and we were joking him
about his age when he laughngly declared
that he would live for twenty years yet.
He was in excellent spirits when we parted,
and on account of his wifes illness IN
tended to visit with us for several days
at least until Mrs. Rockwell became better
There could be no possible reason for
Mr. Rockwell to take his own life. He
was of a sunny disposition; in excellent
condition financially and had no business
worries His health had always been good,
and | am sure that he never had thought
of ending his life in such a shocking man.
ner."e
Convinced Death Was Accidental.
Several other gentlemen who were well
acquainted with the dead also ex-
pressed their conviction that the death was
wholly accidental. They statad that he was
a man who looked on the bright side of life
and was popular among his acduaintances.
On account of Mrs. Rockwells Illness the
news of her husbands sudden death, 1t Is
thought, will be a severe blow to her, and
grave apprehensions are felt by her rela-
tives of the result when she becomes ac-
quainted with the circumstances.
Acting Coroner Glazebrook viewed the
body at the Emergency Hospital and gave
a certificate of accidental death by asphyx-
iation, when the remains were taken in
charge by Mr.. c.. E. Luckett and his son.
The body will in all probability be shipped
to Petersburg, Va, for interment
Mr.. Rockwell for many years had been en-
gagged in the coal business at Petersburg.
and was also interested in several other
business enterprises In that city.