Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-22
JOHN LANG'S DEATH
CORONER NEvITT GIVES CERTIF-
ICATE AsCRIBINo CAUSE.
Sickening Conditions Said to Have
Existed in Room Where De-
mise Occurred.

1H d SNtali fOoEi, perhaps Twelve Uy M
teen feet in dimensions. in the third story
OF house No. sos 10th street northwest. John
Lang. aged thirty-three years. died this
morning about o'clock According to a
statement by the coroner. death was due
to acute alcoholism.
Entering the street door into the entry
hall which leads to the resident rooms
above the visitor today invoiuntarily shud-
dered at the first glimpse obtained. As
cendins the several flights OF stair which
wind in and out. the third floor was reach
ed, which Is a part of the building let out to
roomers. 1t was in one Of these rooms that
Lang died this morning as stated The con-
d1tfon of this room beggars description.
Upon two filthy mattresses, placed one upon
the other. along the side Of the apartment
farthest from the door and under an open
window, reclined the body Of the dead man,
hut partly covered with a dirty. red quilt.
The dead man was dressed in his every
DAY clothes. even to the shoes. where he
had evidently thrown himself after coming
in from the street
Around the walls were several much-w
articles including a small washstand upon
which We're several small deep dishes: a
small table. on which stood a basket con-
tanning musty particles of food. but which
was for the most part Uttered with paper
and several TASKS Of different sizes, several
chairs, small stove and a trunk Stand
ing at one corner of the room was a trunk
Oh were thrown articles OF bed
clothing and pieces OF wearing apparel
Other articles of clothing were to be seen
about the room, either thrown on the fur
niture or hanging on nails
Mrs. Augustine's Statement
A room directly across the hall from
that in which Lang died is occupied by a
Mrs Augustine and her husband, who have
been living in the house since last May
She stated that she heard Lang groan sew
eral times during the night. and early this
morning she went into his room to see If
anything coulG be done for him. She made
him cup of coffee. after drinking which
Lang aked for a drink of water Mrs Au-
gustine Immediately went out for fresh
bucket OF water, and returned with q glass
OF the same Lang greedily drank the con-
tents of the glass. and shortly afterward
Mrs. Augustine noticed a change upon the
features of the young man. 1t was soon
after drinking the water that he breathed
his last
Information of the death of the roomer
was sent to the health office, and after
viewing the remains DR.. hewitt gave GER
tlficate stated, of death due to acute
alcoholism.
Mrs. Augustine stated that she had noti-
fled the health Office Monday evening, ask
ing that an examination be made of the
room occupied by Lang, as she was unable
to put up with the conditions that have ex-
listed In the apartment so near her own.
Yesterday n official visited the premises and
asked Mrs. Augustine to have the room
cleaned up. Lang asked. however, that
nothing be done to the room until he should
get out of it. and she acquiesced.
Injured by Fall.
1t is stated that Lang suffered fall from
the roof of the house in which he lived
about six months ago while making his
way to another house. where his mother
Mrs. Margaret Lang. visited. 1t is stated
he was under the influence of liquor at the
time, and in stepping down from the roof
of the first house to that of the adjoining
one. a distance of probably three feet he
missed his footing and was preciptated to
the ground below. a distance of about forty
feet: In his fall he broke the window lights
In several of the windows facing in the air
shaft. He was severely injured internally
it Is said, by his fall, and was sent to the
Emergency Hospital for treatment He
spent about three weeks at that institution
when he left and returned to his former
home.
After staying out about one week he was
again sent to the hospital. and remained
there about two weeks longer.
Since his discharge from the hospital, 1t
is stated, Lang INDUCED very freely in
drink. and was but seldom seen in a sober
condition by the boarders of the house. His
mother and several friends were with him
last night, and at the time there was moth
ing in his condition that indicated to them
that he was suffering more than usual His
mother. Mrs. Margaret Lang. and sister,
Miss Sarah Lang, who resides in Pennsyl-
vania, survive him.
The body was taken to Lees undertaking
establishment, where it will be prepared
for burial.