The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1902-09-30
Renowned Novelist Is Asphyxated While Trying
to Reach Fresh Air.
France Loses the Man Who Worked so DaringIy
to Obtain the Release Of Captain Dreyfus
From Devils Island

PARIS. Sept. Pm. Zola. the nov
elist. who was born in Paris April 20,
1870. died this morning. Zola was
found dead in his house from asphyx-
iatpn. His wife Is grayely ILL., Zola was
asphyxiated by fumes from a stove,
the pipes OF which are said to have
been out OF order At the same time
1t Is stated that there are Indications
OF suicide
Zola and his wife returned to his
Paris home from their country house
at Medan yesterday. aud owing to a
sudden spell OF cold weather here he
ordered the heating stove In his bed
room TO be lighted. The stove burned
badly, but Zola and his wife retired
at 10 o'clock last night and the sery-
ants. not hearing any movement in the
apartment this morning. entered the
bedroom at $3.50 a. m. and found Nine.
Zola lying on the bed inanlmate. To-
la was lying half out of bed. with his
head and shoulders on the floor and
his legs on the bed. Doctors were
summoned, but they failed 10 restore
zolas life. After prolonged efforts
they resuscitated Nine. Zola.
The rumor circulated regarding 20
las supposed suicide from poison was
based on the fact that elections sup
posed 10 have come from his stomach
were found on the floor. but the doc.
tors say they came from Zolas dog,
which was also in the bedroom and
did not suffer from asphyxiation.
Zoa dined with a good appetite yes
terday evening, and the servants of
the household ate OF the same dishes.
Nothing unusual was heard in the
bedroom during the night
Some workmen arrived at the Zola
reidence at $3.50 this morning. in order
TO make certain repairs in zola's bed
room, but the servants already becom-
ing alarmed nj hearing no sound from
the room, decided TO enter il ana burst
the door open. A slight odor OF car
bonis gas was at once noticed. and the
bodies OF the novelist and his wife
we're found in the positions already
stated. Zola had been awakened by
4 choking sensation, tried to rise, but
was evidently unableto do SO.
The windows were Immediately open !
ID, doctors and commissary of po- /
lice were summoned, and the utmost !
'fforts were made to revive the nov- /
list and his wife, but the former had
Ilready succumbed, Nine. Zola re-
gained consciousness about noon. She
low lies In state of complete pros
ration. An improvement in her con-
lition is anxiouly awaited In order to
'et light upon the accident.
\ druggist, who was the first to ar
i've at the house to attend Zola and
lis wife said:
when entered the bedroom, NJ.
ola was partly lying on the floor
mid matter thrown up from his sto-
rach. No special odor likely to cause
sphvxiation was then noticeable. The
wo victims, moreover. did not pre-
ent exclusive symptoms OF asphyxia-
ion, Their faces were contorted and
heir llns were bloodless. but not Vi
let color"
The commissary of police in hin re-
ort to the prefect Of Paris, said;
"The heating stove was not lighted
nd there was no odor of gas. 1t is be-
eyed his death was due to accidental
oisoning by drugs. Two little dogs
'ere found in the bedroom and were
live"
DR.. Layrmand, who attended the vic
inns, is quoted as saying In an in
erview published this afternoon that
he plate of the stove was still warm.
nd the elections came from a dog,
II think that probably the accident
fas caused by inhaling heavy car
ontc gas which lay mainly below the
vel Of the bed, NJ, Zola and his wife
ERE thus not suffocated on the bed
[, Zola was awakened bv the effect
the gas and tried to rise. but was
sized with vomiting, tainted and thus
Ill to the floor. where he was suffo-
ated by the gas. His wife was also
but less than her husband" .
The orefect has ordered the city ar {
liteot to examine the bedroom In I