Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-15
LIFE CRUSHED OUT
ELEVATOR coNDUuoR AT LOCAL
HOTEL HORRIBLY MANGLED.
Edward Fossler lree1B Instant Death
and Body FallssFrom the
Tenth story.

Edward M. Fossler, ran elevator con-
ductor employed at the New Willard Hotel,
was caught between thu elevator and the
sides OF the shaft yesterday afternoon
about o'clock and killed. The elevator
was started in some manner unknown to
any one living and the young man
was crushed between the car and the side
walls. The body was carried up to the
tenth floor, and, becoming detached from
the elevator proper. dropped to the base
ment. When found the body was almost
cut in twain, every bone was broken. the
head was cut, the skull fractured and the
legs were broken and twisted
Edward Fossler was eighteen years of
age. and had come to this city to obtain
an education. He was employed for while
at the kenilworth cafe, and later at the
Raleigh Hotel. July 20 last he secured a
position as elevator conductor at the New
Willard and was placed in charge of ele-
vator No. 3, which is entered from the hall
way leading from the ladies' entrance on
the 14th street side Of the hotel. Fosser OBJ
tanned employment solely to provide himself
with the means to study here in Washing
ion, ana he is said to have attended the
public schools here regularly. There is no
person who witnessed the accident or who
knew OF 1t until several minutes after it
occurred
Inc first warning that any one had that
an accident had occurred was when the
body fell from the tenth floor of the build
Ing and struck the iron beams on the shaft
below.
The Body Discovered.
Mr.. c. L. Williams one of the hotel
clerks, and Mr.. F. M Byrne, the electri-
clan. heard the noise made by the falling
body and rushed to the bottom of the
shaft to see what had happened. They
were startled at their find. The police
were summoned and the body was removed
to the morgue after it had been viewed
by the acting coroner. 1t is supposed by
those familiar with the operation of the
elevators that Fossler had stepped off the
car at the second floor and while he was
Off the car had started up. When it start
ed, 1t is believed, F'ossler observed it and
attempted to get into the car, but was
caught between the car and the top of
the door and was dragged upward. The
other elevator conductors say they heard
a noise and saw the cables stop as the
elevator reached the tenth floor The con-
tact OF the cage with the beams and iron
work at the tenth floor caused the body
to drop
Immediately after the accident Frank
Fossler. clerk in the War Department,
and brother of the victim of the accident,
was notified, and, after comforting with the
coroner, ordered the body to be prepared
for interment by Undertaken Lee. The
Fosslers came here from Bellefontaine,
Ohio. where they resided at 622 East San
dusky street. Both parents of the dead
man are living and Were notified of his
death, as were also a brother and sister
who are in Philadelphia, after paying a
visit to their brothersoin this city The
body will be shipped to Belefontaine this
afternoon. and funeral services will proba-
bly, be held at that place Monday
Frank Fossler, the brother who resides
In this city, will accompany the remains
No services are to be held here