Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-14
TAKES A SERIOUS TURN
Result Of Investigation Into
Hanb3 1eath.
CORONER'S JURY TODAY
POLICE CALLED IN TO UNRAvEL
CIRCUMSTANCES.
Rope Used on Scaffold to Be Examin-
Rope Used on Scaffold to Be Examin-
ed by District Chemist-Foul
Play Suspected.

At the inquest held today at the
morgue over the remains of J.
Frank Handy, the painter who
was instantly killed at the Cairo
yesterday, as published in The Star,
the hearing assumed a phase which
had not been anticipated by the
coroner, and that official telephoned
Captain Boardman, asking that a
detective be detailed to make an in
vestigation.
1t was stated in the testimony before the
eoroner's jury that Mr.. Charles Ernst, jr..
the contractor who had charge of the
painting had experienced trouble while
doing work at the Farragut some time ago
when one of his ropes was cut. The cut
was discovered in time to prevent a pos
sible serious accident such as occurred yes
terday. Witnesses at the inquest today de-
clared that they detected the odor of acid
about the break in the rope after yester-
days fatal accident occurred, and In
spector Lawson of the building inspectors
office expressed himself being of the
opinion that some foreign substance had
damaged the rope and caused the fatality
yesterday.
Upon this showing Coroner hewitt thought
there should be police investigation of the
affair. Detective Peck was sent to the
morgue by Captain Boardman. reaching
there after the jury had rendered verdict.
1t has been decided to have the rope exam
ined by District Chemist Hird.
Verdict of the Jury.
The verdict of the jury was follows:
THAT j. Frank Handy died about $50
o'clock am. February IS. 1905 at the
Cairo Hotel, as the result of injuries re-
ceived by falling from painters scaffold
at or near the cornice of said building.
From the testimony we are of the
opinion that the said accident was the
result of a breakage in one of the ropes,
which. in our Judgment, was defective at
the point of breakage. u
I'VE recommend that the grand jury
investigate the circumstances OF said
DEATH" - Z go
The witnesses in the case were detained
at the morgue after the conclusion of the
inquest and were interviewed by Detective
Peck. He took their statements and will
make an effort to determine who, if any
body, tempered with the rope.
Two Interested Spectators.
Two interested spectators at the inquest
today were George L. Lyles of 1921 9Th
18th street northwest They were work
ing on inside work in the Cairo yesterday
morning when Handy was killed, and quit
work for the day mere1yaas sympathetic
move. ~ ls.-,s.-..,-, Il rA%
eve were employed by the foreman of
Mr.. T. F. Schneider, owner of the build
ing" said Mr.. Ly1es to Star reporter,
land this morning when we went to work
we were told that our services were no
longer desired because we quit work yester-
day" n
Scherb made similar statement to a re-
porter.
Attorney VIM McKendree Clayton was
present a the hearing, in the interest Of
Mr. Ernst. A brother-in-law of the de-
ceased was also in attendance. The body
Of the victim was removed from the
morgue to the undertaking establishment
of I. R. Nalley, 1893 18th street south
east. Tomorrow morning: it will be taken
to Smithsburg, Washington county, Nd
for interment.
Deputv Coroner's Testimony