Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-25
ACCIDENTAL DEATH
CONCLUSION REACHED IN THE
CASE OF WILLIAM GUY.
Belief Expressed That He Fell, His
Head Coming in Contact With
Water Pitcher.

William Guy, thirty-five years old, son of
the late B. F. Guy was found dead in his
| room at 1457 14th street northwest yester-
day about noon. The policeman on the
beat was called to the house and he at
once sent word to the second precinct police
station. but information of the affair did
not reach police headquarters until about 8
o clock.
AS soon as Capt. Boardman was told Of
the conditions in the room in which Guy
had died he detailed Detectives Hartigan
and Baur to make an investigation. There
was every indication at first glance that
the man had been foully dealt with, but
In few minutes the police were soon
convinced to the contrary. wound in the
back of the head of the dead man it was
demonstrated had been received in a fall
upon water pitcher.
Much of the furniture in the room was
overturned and there were pools of blood
and blood stains everywhere except where
the dead man was found. The body was on
a chair with the head against some drapery
on the mantel. There was no blood on the
drapery nor was there any on the floor in
rear of the chair under the head of the
deceased. Guys undergarments were strewn
about the room and they were also smeared
with blood, and there were prints of bare
feet where blood had been tracked over
the floor. Large stains and smearS were
about the walls.
AS already stated the police were In a
short time able to report to Capt. Board
man that the mans death was the result
of an accident
Of Frequent Occurrence.
The detectives were told that Guy was
addicted to strong drink, and 1t was moth
ing unusual to hear strange noises in Guy 8
room. Tuesday night, about 9:30 o'clock.
attention was attracted to the room, and
DR.. Luckett was summoned. When he
arrived he found Guy seated on the floor
in one corner He had an awl and screw
driver in his hands and was evidently
under the delusion that they were must
cal instruments.
Are you the stage manager" inquired
the occupant of the room when the doc
tor called
The doctor found it necessary to use
little diplomacy with the patient and re-
marked: I'll not appear on the stage to-
night, as have no good clothes"
After some trouble the doctor succeeded
in getting Guy in bed and gave him
dose to quiet his nerves. The physician
paid no particular attention to the pa
TENTS condition, having been told of
numerous times he had suffered in the
same way. Noises in the room occupied
by Guy about 1 o'clock yesterday morn
ing indicated he was up and about. About
thirty minutes later peculiar noise was
heard which was twice repeated before
o'clock
The room adjoining that in which Guy
was quartered was occupied by two la
dies. who were visiting relative in the
house This relative went to the room
door to tell her guests not to become
alarmed at the unusual noises. but the
ladies were asleep and she did not arouse
them.
She heard Guy muttering something
which She did not understand. Thinking
everything was all right, she returned to
ner room, and heard nothing more from
that quarter.
Guy was not seen about the house vester-
day morning, and shortly before noon his
room was visited, and he was found dead
Dr. Luckett did not feel that he could give
a death certificate in the case, and for that
reason 1t was reported to the police and
coroner.
Free With His Money.
1t is stated that Guy owned some prop
"rty and had a little money. He was free
with his funds and had comp anions who
were willing to assist him in his efforts to
get rid of 1t. Some of them had been in the
habit of visiting him in his room, the police
were informed, and in order to keep them
out the proprietreSs of the boarding house
had been keeping the front door locked.
The door was locked all of Tuesday night
and the occupants of the house say no per-
son entered. The water pitcher was broken
In several pieces and the pieces were STAIN
ed with blood. These pieces were on the
floor near the washstand and it Is the be-
lief of the police and people living in The
house that Guys fatal injuries were occa-
stoned by his falling on the pitcher.
Result of Autopsy.
An autopsy was performed on the body at
the morgue last night and it was found
that the organs Of the deceased had been
affected by stimulants and that he had
suffered from brain trouble. These condi-
tons and loss of blood had caused his
death. The body was removed to the I'M
dertaking establishment of j. William Lee
on Pennsylvania avenue, this morning, and
prepared for burial.