Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-26
SHOCKING ACCIDENT
DR.. VIM. N. Fisher Falls
Down Elevator Shaft.
FATALLY INJURED
DEATH RESULTS SEVERAL HOURS
LATER IN HOSPITAL.
Prominent Young Physician, Native Of
Richmond-Coroner Regards In
quest as Unnecessary.

An accident occurred about o o'clock
last night at the Columbian Univer-
sity Hospital which resulted I'm the death
this morning OF DR.. William n. Fisher. a
young physician who gave promise Of be-
coming one of Washington's best surgeons.
The doctor slipped through the open door
way of the elevator shaft in the hospital
building and fell from the first floor 10 the
basement, a distance of about twelve feet
HIS skull was fractured in five places and
he was rendered unconscious. DIR. William
p. Carr was a witness of the shocking acci-
dent He operated upon the injured man a
few minutes afterward, but DR.. Fisher did
not regain consciousness. Death occurred
at $50 o'clock this morning
Early last night Drs Fisher and Carr
called at the hospital to see patients, and
they were on the main floor of the hospital
about o'clock DR. Robey was also there.
and he reached the elevator shaft just
ahead Of DIR. Fisher. Making the remark
that he would bring the elevator down the
shaft. DR.. Robey reached in and got hold
of the rope. Directly behind him was DIR.
Fisher, who probably imagined the elevator
had reached that floor. Proceeding as IL to
enter the car, he was preciptated to the bot
tom Of the shaft and injured as stated.
Drs. Carr, Wellington, Leach, Mason and
others who were in the hospital rendered
what assistance they could
The injured man was removed TO the op-
Grating room where pieces Of his skull
were removed, and large blood clots were
found. Physicians and nurses remained
at his bedside all night. and death came
without the unfortunate man recovering
from the shock. 1t is stated that physi-
clans visiting the hospital during the night
act as their own conductors when they
want to use the elevator. DR. Fisher had
used the elevator in this way a number of
times and was familiar with the manner of
operating 1t. His friends are certain that
he made the fatal step In the belief that
the elevator was at the landing.
Coroner Gives Certificate.
Coroner hewitt was notified OF the death
He visited the hospital early this morning
and questioned the witnesses to the fatal
affair That 1t was purely an accident the
coroner had no doubt, and a certificate of
accidental death was given without the
holding of an inquest.
The deceased was native of Richmond
Va. where he was born the 18th of MAY,
1873. Three years later he came to this city
to live. After attending the public schools
during his boyhood days hs studied medi-
cine at Columbian University, graduating
in the class of "a with first honors. He
then served one term as resident physician
at the Chidren's Hospital having previ-
ously spent year the resident student
DR.. Fisher is survived by two brothers and
q sister. One brother is John w Fisher OF
East Orange. y. J., and the other is James
VI. Fisher Of this city. His sister Miss Es-
telle NJ. Fisher is a teacher in the public
schools in Warrington. His father was
James r. Fisher, who was prominent res
dent of Richmond, Va.
The body of the deceased was removed to
his late home. 1891 14th street northwest,
after the coroner had given a certificate of
death. Services will be held at Calvary
Baptist Church at $50 O'Clock tomorrow
morning. Drs. Mason, Robey. Wellington.
Carr. White, Wall and Leach will serve as
pdllbearerS. The body will be taken TO
Richmond on the 10:51 train to be inferred
in the family lot in Hollywood cemetery.
The interment will be made upon the ar
rival of the train Saturday afternoon.
Acting Deputy Coroner.
DR.. Fisher was connected with a number
of medical societies and was recently a
delegate to the meeting of the Medical AS
sociation held at Saratoga. During the
past two years he has acted as deputy
coroner in place of DIR. Glazebrook