Evening star., 1905-11-06
KILLED BY ELEVATOR
Fatal Accident in State, War
and Navy Building.
WON A. N THE VICTIM
CORONER DECIDES TO HOLD AN
INQUEST TOMORROW.
Right of District Authorities to Take
Charge is Questioned by Super
intendent Baird.
WOMAN THE VICTIM

was caught between the elevator and the
first floor in the east wing OF the State,
War and Navy building this morning about
$3.50 o'clock and almost instantly killed.
She lived only three minutes after the ac-
cident occurred Her body was first re-
moved to the Emergency Hospital, but later
in the day was conveyed to tho morgue.
Coroner hewitt visited the scene of the ac-
cident and also the hospital. and decided to
hold an inquest at the morgue at IL o clock
tomorrow morning.
The right of the District authorities to
assume control of the affair and conduct
the investigation In the ordinary manner
was questioned by Rear Admiral Baird. su-
perntendent OF the government building.
Inspector Evans who accompanied Coroner
hewitt to the building. was told by Admiral
Baird that he had no legal right to inspect
the elevator in the building.
Personally" said the admiral, "you may
have the privilege of looking over the ele-
vator. but the minute you assume control
you will have to step out"
Coroner NeYitt told the admiral that he
had had dealings in public buildings a num-
Der OF times. and never before had his right
10 make full inveStiga tons been questioned
The admiral assured him that the District
over buildings belonging to the United
States. and told him the question had been
determined great many times. He was
not disposed however. to put any obstacle
In the way OF an investigation.
Decides to Hold Inquest.
Coroner hewitt questioned William Wolf
ley. who was operating the elevator at the
time the accident happened. and informed
Admiral Baird and Capt. Diggins that he
would let a jury pass upon the accident to-
morrow morning. Later Capt. Boardman
was consulted and he detailed Detective
Tyser to assist the coroner in the investi-
cation.
The real cause of the accident will not be
officially determined until the inquest Is
held tomorrow morning. Miss McIlvainc
was killed by the dropping of a freight ele-
vator from the first floor to the subbase-
ment She was about TO step into the car
when 1t suddenly dropped and she was
caught between the floor and the open door
of the car. Her head and body were fright
fully mangled, and she fell into the car
and went to the sub-basement with the man
who was operating it, He was thrown to
one corner of the car and injured but not
seriously, and was able to get up after the
car had bumped against the floor several
times While his physical injury was
slight. the shock caused by seeing the
mangled form of Miss McIlvaine on the floor
OF the car unified him for further service.
SeVerai or the charwomen in the building
TAINTED. and later in the day 1t became
necessary for Captain Diggins to detail a
man near the elevator to prevent the
crowding of curious people about there.
MISS Mcllvaine had been employed in the
oullolng nearly five years. and had room
at Sl2 18th street northwest This morn
Ing she was at work a few minutes after <
O'Clock with the eighty other women who
held similar positions, and had about fin
ished her work on the first floor She went
to the elevator and pressed the button. and
stood there talking to Mrs. Amanda Dor
sey. colored, until the elevator reached the
landing and stopped. About the time she
stepped one foot across the sill Mrs. Dor
sey made a move to follow her. Before
the former was in the car, however the
drop occurred and Miss McIlvaine's death
followed.
Notice Given of Accident
Mrs. Dorsey hurried to the lower floor
and informed some OF the watchmen in the
building of what had happened Miss Nc
Ilvaine was dead before a physician could
be summoned. and her body was removed
to the hospital morgue about o'clock. It
was found that her left hip and right leg
had been fractured. her skull crushed and
her left ear partly cut off. Many small
bones in her body were broken, and. the
coroner stated, she could not have lived
many seconds.
William Wol1ey, who was operating the
elevator this morning, is employed in the
building as watchman and not as an ele-
operates the machinery was locked when
the elevator fell. Many OF the elderly
charwomen had complained Of having to
walk to he fish door of tae Euildpg when
they appeared there ready for work about
3 O'Clock each r:orrfng, ana the -rfeygnr
elevator was run for their benefit. In the
absence of the operator the watchman was
detailed to run the elevator. He found that
the machinery worked all right this morn
ing prior to the time the fatal accident oc-
CURED. short time ago, it is said an
other elevator in the building was con-
demned and put out of service.
The pool of blood had been washed from
the car before the coroner reached the
building. and machnists employed In the
building had started the work of putting
1t in shape. The woodwork on top Of the
elevator was damaged. and so great was
the force of the contact of Miss Nell
vaine's body with the slate flooring that
q piece OF the slate was broken.
Arrangements for the funeral have not
yet been made.
Rear Admiral Paird's Report.
Rair INT 81 ~