The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-30
Tainted He Fell to the Floor. and
Therefore Was Unable to Give the
Much-Needed Alarm.
EVIDENCE OF SURROUNDINGS
OPINIONS OF EXPERTS WHO VIEWED
THE AUTHORS BODY.
0mciaI statement-Literary Life and
Remains of ZoIa--Participation
I'm the Dreyfus Case.


recent years because of his defense OF the
Jews and of former Captain Dreyfus. was
found dead in his Paris house this MORN
ing. Asphyxiation resulting from the fumes
of stove in his bedroom is given as the
cause Of death
NJ zola and his wife retired at 10 o'clock
last night. Madame Zola was seriously nl
when the room was broken into this morn
ing. AT about noon she was removed TO a
private hospital, where she recovered con-
sciousness for a short time and was able
briefly TO explain 20 a magistrate what had
happened. NJ. and Nine. Zola returned to
Paris from their country home at Medan
yesterday. Owing to a sudden spell of cold
weather the heating stove in their bedroom
was ordered lighted. The stove burned
badly and the pipes OF the stove are said to
have been out of order
To the magistrate Nine. Zola explained
that she woke early this morning with a
splitting headache. She wskened her hus-
band and asked him TO open a window. She
saw him rise and attempt TO move toward
a window. but he staggered and fell to the
floor unconscious. Mime. Zola tainted at
the same moment and was. therefore. un-
able TO give the alarm.
bands death. and il is feared she may suf-
fer a relapse. when informed or TT Is
thought tonight. however. that she will
recover f-f".
The death of M. ZoIa, which became gen.
orally known only late this afternoon, has
caused great sensation in Paris. and this
evening there was a constant stream OF
callers at the lola residence. NJ ZoIa's
hodx in of
spacious drawing room of his house. un-
der canopy of rare and ancient hangings.
The body is covered with sheet and elec-
trio lamps throw their vivid light the
wax-like features of the dead
The servants of the Zola household not
hearing any movement in their masters
apartment this morning entered the bed
room at half past 3 o'clock and found n.
Zola lying with his head and shoulders on
the floor and his legs on the bed. Doctors
were summoned. but they failed TO resusci-
tate him. Nine. Zoia was unconscious. but
after prolonged efforts on the part OF the
physicians she showed signs OF life. but IL
was some time before she became con-
scious
A slight odor of carbonic gas was noticed
when the servants broke into the bedroom.
From the position of M. Zolas body IL was
evident that he had tried TO rise. but had
been overcome by the fumes from the de-
fective stove. The servants Immediately
opened the bedroom windows and sent for
physicians. commissary of police also
was summoned.
1t was reported here during the day that
there were evidences of suicide I'm the death
of NJ. Zola. Nothing has so far developed
to substantiate this theory. and the state
ment made by Mime. Zola to the magistrate
seems TO disprove IL. NJ. Zola dined with a
good appetite yesterday evening and the
servants of the household ate Of the same
dishes. No unusual sound was heard from
the bedroom during the night. Two little
dogs belonging TO the Zolas passed the
night I'm their masters bedroom. They were
alive this morning Ii Is believed they owe
their lives to the fact that one slept on the
bed and the other on a chair, thus escaping
the heavy carbonic gas which settled near
the floor
A druggist who was the first TO arrive at
the house to attend M. Zola and his wife.
said when / entered the bedroom NJ.
Zola was lying partly on the floor. No
especial odor likely to cause asphyxiation
was distinguishable. NJ. and Nine. Zola
asphyxiation. Their faces were contorted
and their lips bloodless. but not violet
colored | think the accident was probably
caused by the Zolas inhaling heavy car
bonic gas which lay mainly below the level
OF the high bed. This would account for
Nine. Zoa's escape. They were not suf-
focated on the bed NJ. Zols was awak-
ened by the effects of the gas and tried TO
rise but he was seized with vomiting.
tainted and fell TO the floor where he
suffocated. Nine. Zola also was overcome
I h,.f IN has hor
husband.
The commissary OF police who was sum-
moned to the lola residence. said In his
report TO the prefect OF Paris: THE heating
stove was not lighted and there was no
odor OF gas. IL Is believed that NJ Zolas
death was due TO accidental poisoning by
room are alive.
In the second report the commissary OF
police indorsed the medical opinion that NJ.
| Zola's death was accidental and due TO
asphyxiation.
DR. Leyrmand who attended NJ and
Nine. Zola; is quoted as saying In an inter
heating stove was still warm when he en-
tered the room.
The prefect of Paris has ordered the city
architect TO examine the bedroom I'm which
NJ Zola died. and has issued instructions
/ that analysis be made OF his blood and OF
/ the atmosphere In his room.
Zola had been resting from literary work
| since he finished his book entitled The
/ Truth" The obituary notices pay tribute
to Zolas high literary talent. The Temps
| says French letters have suffered a loss
which will be keenly felt. The newspapers
| Judge Zola's role I'm the Dreyfus affair ac-
cording TO political bias.
IL is now said that Nine. Zola was IN
! formed OF the death OF her husband before
she left the house for the hospital She
| at first refused 10 believe the news and
was terribly affected. She did not wish
| to leave the house. but the physicians anal-
/ ly persuaded her 10 allow herself 70 be
J removed TO the hospital.
A larse crowd assembled In front OF the