The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-09-30
zOLA'S DEATH DUE TO
ACCIDENT, SAYS WIFE
Injured Woman's Graphic
Account of Tragedy
TAINTED WHEN HE GASPED
Was Out of Bed Looking for His Slip
pers When Overcome by Escaping
Gas-Commeut of London Times.

PARIS. Sept. S0.-The Echo de Paris
quotes Madame Zola as giving the fol-
lowing account of the tragedy:
We returned heme from Brussels in
the afternoon. We intended to rise
early in order 10 give directions to work
men who were coming TO execute some
repairs in the bedroom. ! remember
exactly what happened We went to bed
as usual, but in the middle of the night
I awoke feeling sick I turned on an
electrict light but my feet had hardly
touched the floor when I felt terribly
weak. II was with the utmost difficulty
that I was able 10 reach the bathroom.
IN moment felt better. however,
and came back 10 bed. Ny husband
was not asleep. I began scolding my
little dog which during my absence had
installed itself in my place a few mo-
ments later I heard my husband COM
planning. and said TO him. Emile. are
you not well2'
He replied: oh, it's nothing. But
you don't seem TO be sleeping either.
no, ! said, but IL you are not we'll
I'll wake the servants. --
He answered No. there's no need.
= then saw him get out OF bed him
self. as if looking for his slippers. I
was able to tell him Ring for assist
snce, but ne did not move heard him
gasping like a DYING man 1 could not
speak wsrd I then tainted I can
remember 10 more.
When Madame asked for S5la. she was
told he had been taken away. as he re
quired The care Of physician Dr. De
faud says she owes her life TO the fresh
air she received in the bathroom
LONDON. Sept 80 - The Times. 81
whose Paris correspondents says that
there we're boisterous scenes on the
boulevards when ". ZoIa's death was
learned Of. men crying saTagely. lit is
none too soon. devotes an editorial that
is entirely appreeiative OF the strength
of n Zola. It says:
"A great innovator is gone. To many
quiet folks his work IS detestabIe. o
many persons OF trained taste. it IS lot
readable. hut TO practically the whole
reading class Of Southern Europe il
serves as a new revelation, and in Rus
STA. Germany. and Holland. by a large
French public. and by a certain part Of
the Anglo Saxon world the writings OF
Zola were. AID are regarded as the most
important creative york Of the[lssi
quarter Of a centurz-
The weakness Of his method is that
1t is TOO Photographic. too mechanical
The outside Of things Is there. laid il
with marvellous accuracy OF entail. but
the spirit is often not the spirit OF life
Yet. at his best, lola was very great
man. indeed. Ia Debacle- viii remain
for many years 10 come, perhaps foE
many generations. the truest and most
moving pictures of disastrous war ever
printed. His was a marvellous output OF
work, OF initial creative force, Of which
cur time in whatever country can
scarcely show q ike example
The official report Of Dr. Brouardel,
VibeTt, who performed the autopsy. OF
the body OF Emile ZoIa, positively estab-
fishes the fact that death was due Il
the in5aIing OF carbonic oxide.
Zola's falling 70 the floor, the doctor
says, removed all chance Of his saliva.
ton. Madame ZoIa being on the bed, and
the dog on chair. is all that saved
them.
AZ the request Of friends the funera
viii be held on Friday.