Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-12
WASINSTANTLYKILLED
YATAL ACCIDENT IN PATENT OF
FICE ELEVATOR SHAFT.
Charles E. Faunce's Head Crushed by
Heavy Iron Weight-Cor-
oner's Certificate.

fatal accident occurred this morning In
the patent office, the victim being Charles
E. Faunce, a painter Faunce, 1t is said
put his head through an opening in the ele-
vator shaft and struck by the heavy
iron weight of nearly 2,O0O pounds, his head
being almost severed in twain. The sharp
edge of the heavy iron cut through his
face just below the eyes, and CHASTITY
sight was presented when the body was re-
moved. His death was instantaneous. Why
he placed his head in such a dangerous
place his fellow-workmen cannot under
stand. He was not working there at the
time, and it is believed that curiosity must
have prompted him to do 1t.
Ten painters were at work about the build
ing this morning. and Faunce was serving
as foreman. Several days ago part of the
iron grating about the elevator shaft was
removed, in order that the painters might
work on the balustrade- This left a dan
gerous opening. with which the workmen
were all familiar.
Faunce was on his way from the base
ment to the ground floor when the accident
occurred.
The elevator was at the time going up
with number of passengers aboard Inc
first intimation the conductor had that
there was something wrong was the check
given the cars progress when the heavy
weight came in contact with the painter s
head. He stopped the car without an in
y,
happened, he did not know just what to
do next. Before starting the car again he
heard several persons scream, and then he
descended the stairway to make an inves-
tigation.
Death Evidently Instantaneous.
1t took but glance to see that the vic
tim of the accident had been instantly kill
ed. Assistance was summoned and the
dead body was taken from where it was
resting across the balustrade to the land
ing below, where it remained until the ar
rival of DIR. j. Ramsey hewitt, the coroner.
DR.. hewitt viewed the dead body and ex
amined the CHASTITY wound He also heard
the statements of painters and others en-
ployed about the building. Faunce's fellow
wOrkmen were positive that he was faml-
lar with the condition of the elevator shaft.
He had been about there they said, all the
time the work was in progress and had d.
rected the movements of tha other men. A
number of the officials were also question
ed. Nobody had witnessed the sad affair.
and the coroner concluded that the death
due to accident, for which only
the victim was responsible. He therefore
deemed an inquest unnecessary and gave
a certificate of accidental death.
The deceased was thirty-seven years old.
His wife and four children survive him. The
family resides at 9o4 9th street southwest.
After the coroner had concluded his investi-
cation of the case the body was taken from
the building by an undertaken and was re-
moved to his late home. Faunce had beef;
employed in the building for about eight
years.
Isaac H. Taylor, one of the painters at
work in the building, was among those who
went TO the assistance of the unfortunate
man. The sight of blood was too much for
him and he tainted. The ambulance was
called and he was taken to the Emergency
Hospital. He recovered i'll short time and
was able to go to his home at 81 Q street
northwest