The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-28
They Came to the Arlington Hotel
Early i'm the Morning Joking and
I'm High Spirits.
HOTEL KEEPERS STATEMENT
SHE SAID THE MEN WERE UNDER
THE INFLUENCE OF LIQUOR.
Ezekiel w. Pollock and Merriam
Pierson the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Said Death Was Accidental.

Asphyxiated by gas. two men were found
dead yesterday morning in the Arlington
Hotel at 34l West Washington street
When Mrs Julia Fouty. who keeps the
hotel, went about her duties yesterday
morning. she was met by a strong odor OF
artificial gas She found that the gas came
from rooms on the third floor occupied by
two men who had come in during the early
morning. With the assistance of one OF
the employees efforts were made to awaken
the men, but to no avail. The door was
broken open and on bed in the room lay
the bodies of Ezekiel w. Pollock and Mer-
Ram Pierson, carpenters from Bridgeport
Both men were dead.
The investigation showed that the gas
came from an open gas jet. The room,
when entered by the hotel employees, was
full of gas and windows had to be raised
to allow its escape before they could work
in the room
Mrs. Fouty. when she discovered the
bodies did not think the men were dead,
and again made efforts to arouse them
Finally realizing that the men were dead
she telephoned the police station. The
bodies were taken to the morgue. where
they were viewed by Coroner Brayton.
1t was learned that Pollock was a single
man and lived with his father on farm
three miles south of Salem. Pierson lived
with his wife and one child three miles
north of Bridgeport 1t is said they had
been Working at their trade in Bridgeport.
In Pollock's coat were found a check for
S21 drawn on the Citizens Bank of Plain
field and signed by j. A. Mattern, of Plain
field. and draft for $l62.O drawn on the
sons pockets were found number of re
ceipts for dues paid TO Lodge No. 90, X.
of p. at Plainfeld. note book also
found contained his name and address in
Bridgeport.
MEN WE'RE JOKING.
Mrs. Fouty, in speaking of the two men.
said that they came to the hotel about
o'clock yesterday morning and asked for
room. Both men were slightly under
the influence of liquor. She asked them
to register and in so doing they joked each
other about their condition. Pollock wrote
his name and handed the pen to Pierson.
The latter laughed and said it was not
necessary for both to register. They were
assigned to a room and retired imme-
diately
Mrs. Fouty said she gave little thought
to the two men, except to wonder. per-
haps. If they had recovered from their lit
fe gnt the se OF
| of them at once and went to the door OF
| their loom. Ii was locked and shouts and
| pounding had no effect The odor of gas
| was strong that she could remain near
the door only with difficulty. Finally, when
| the door was broken open. she saw her
| worst fears had beer realized.
Pollock and Pierson, il is thought, must
| have turned out the gas and then in fun
| bling with the jet must have accidentally
| turned it again. Mrs. Fouty said that
she had passed through the hall after the
! men went to the room and had noticed that
| the gas was burning. little later she
| saw the room was dark. The valve cock
worked easily and she is of opinion that il
must have turned too far.
| Coroner Brayton declared the deaths tC
be accidental and the police hold the same
| opinion. Relatives of the men were in
| formed at once.