Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-09
DEATH INVESTIGATED
JURY,S VERDICT IN THE CASE OF
WILLIAM McCAULEY.
Conclusion Reached That the Work
house Guards Exercised Unwar-
ranted Responsibility.

workhouse prisoner who died at the WASH
ington Asylum Hospital Friday morning,
as stated in Fridays Star. heard the testi-
mony Of a number Of witnesses today ana
reached the conclusion that the victim was
not given proper treatment at the work
house. 1t was in evidence that the fracture
and depression Of the skull caused injuries
which were necessarily fatal. 1t was also
in evidence that he had the first fit at q
o'clock in the evening. and was permitted
to remain on his cot in the cell until
o'clock the next morning before he was
even removed to the hospital. 1t was some
time after he reached the hospital that the
operation was performed, and MS oeath
occurred on the operating table.
The inquest was held by direction OF Com
missioner West, who has immediate charge
of the workhouse and Washington Asylum
Hospital. His attention had been called TO
the death Of McCauley. and the circum-
stances, he thought, were such that an In
vestigation should be held in order to de-
termine If there had been any negligence
on the part of those in charge of the prison
err, and the coroner accordingly took up
the case. 1t is likely, however, that another
investigation will follow. This will proba-
bly, be conducted by the board Of charities
AS heretofore stated, McCauley was ar
rested in South Washington last Wednes-
day. and was committed to the workhouse
the next day. He was a victim OF intem.
perance, and was under the influence OF
liquor when Policeman Leach arrested MIN
just after he had frightened his wife by
threatening to use a pair of scissors upon
her. Some time during Thursday afternoon
he reached the workhouse and was assigned
to cell with two other prisoners. He had
a fit about 6 o'clock in the evening in the
presence of two Of the workhouse employees
One Of them, Overseer Brown, gave him
some salt and application of cold water
The Overseer's Instructions.
According to the testimony given by wit
nesses the overseer told the prisoners to
repeat the treatment in the event that Nc
Cauley had another fit The patient did
not regain consciousness, the witnesses
stated. but no doctor was called He suf-
fered three more fits during the night. and
the prisoners in the cell with him treated
him as they had been told When he had
the first fit he fell heavily to the floor and
received the injuries which caused his
death.
The inquest was held at the sixth precinct
police station. In reporting upon the case
the jurors recited the circumstances attend
ing the mans death, and concluded: I'VE
further believe that the guard in charge Of
the prisoners at the time exercised unwar
ranted responsibility in not notifying the
physicians immediately
overseer Browns Statement.
An important witness in the investiga-
ton was NJ. ]. Brown. an overseer at the
workhouse. He testified that he first saw
McCauley about o'clock Thursday even
ing, when he was lying on the floor of his
cell in a fit. Witness put a pillow under
the prisoners head He got some salt and
assisted in bathing the sick mans head.
when he got out of the fit put him on
the cot" said witness.
What do you mean by getting out OF
it?" the coroner asked.
When he stopped working and twitch-
ing"
Did the man open his eyes?"
"a little"
The overseer said he treated McCauley
the same as he treated others who have
fits. The next morning he said, he thought
the sick man needed hospital treatment,
and Mr. Stoutenburgh called at the cell
with the doctor. Witness said he sends for
the physician In serious cases. but In ordi-
nary drunken fits he treats them as he did
McCauley. When the doctors are called,
he stated, they usually make prompt re-
spOnses.
Screamed and Fell to the Floor.
Thomas Henderson and Thomas Hart,
prisoners confined in the cell with Nc
Cauley, were also examined They said
that McCauley was rolling a cigarette
when he suddenly lifted his hands, scream
ed and fell heavily to the floor. Henderson
said he told Overseer Brown of the mans
condition, and emphasized the statement
that his fall had been heavy one
The sick mans treatment. one witness
said, consisted of his being given salt and
his temples bathed with cold water.
did he come to after he had been
treated?"
mo. sir" Henderson replied.
did he open his eyes?"
"Only once"
During the night, he said, McCauley had
three Ats. and he followed the overseer's
said 1t was impossible to arouse McCauley.
Witness Hart gave similar testimony.
Policeman's Story Of Arrest.
Policeman Leach and ex-Policeman Posey
told of the circumstances attending Nc
Cauley's arrest. They said that the man
was intoxicated. and complaint was made
that he had driven his wife from home with
q pair of scissors. 1t was stated that Nc
Cauley did not appear to know what he
was doing.
Two brothers of the deceased said they
knew the latter had had one fit before the
time OF his last arrest
Thomas ]. Learch, a Waterman at the
workhouse, told of his connection with the
affair. When he was called to the cell. he
said, he reported the mans illness to his
superior officer, Brown, and went away.
Dr. D. Percy Kicking, visiting physician
to the Washington Asylum. testified that
the injury received by McCanley was neces-
sarily fatal.
Deputy Coroner GlaZebrook informed the
fury that McCauley's death was due to a
fracture Of the skull and hemorrhage.