The Washington times., 1906-12-07
John Cropper, Retired
Lawyer, Victim of Ac-
cidental Asphyxiation
at His Home.
BODY DISCOVERED
By HOUSE SERVANT
Dead Man Was Prominent
in Club and Social
Life of the
City.

John Cropper, a retired lawyer.
prominent in club and social life in
I this city, was found dead in the
bathroom on the second floor Of his
/ home, 1912 y street northwest.
about Z o'clock this morning with
the gas turned on full head.
Following an investigation Of the
circumstances that led up TO his
death, Coroner Nevitt gave a GER
/ tificatc Of accidental asphyxiation.
Mr.. Cropper retired about IL
T o'clock last night, after having
spent the evening with friends. He
appeared 10 be in the best of
health, and was in an unusually jo-
vial mood Mrs. Cropper is visit
ing friends in New York. and, ex-
cept for the servants, he was alone
+ in the house.
When one Of the maids came down
stairs this morning she detected the
/ OdOr Of escaping gas. which she traced
/ 10 The bathroom Opening the door she
saw Mr. Cr0pper ia q sitting position.
/ his head lying 81 his chest ana apuar-
( emily dead. A physician was called and
upon his arrival pronounced life ex-
tinct.
/ Before summouing Dr j. r Brom-
/ weH. OF u47 Connecticut avenue. tlle
/ family physician. the maid telepnoned
: Gen IL Oswald Ernst, L. : =, a
member OF the Isthmlan Canal Commis-
" Il.
Of Mr.. Cropper. General Ernst lives
at 1921 Connecticut avenue.
Believes it Purely Accidental
J General Ernst was the first person
after the physician 70 arrive az the
/ house. and he is certain that the al
fair was purely aocidenJal. lie said
to a Times reporter this morning: My
theory IS thar the gas in the bathroom
| had been burning All night. When Mr..
/ Cropper went To the bathroom this
morning II was still rather dark. but
probably light enough So tsaat the gas
was not necessary. ] believe that in
some manner he brushed against the
thumb screw of the gas jet, turning out
tie light Whether he brushed against
It again. turning on the gas mcou-
seiousIy. or whether he turned the
screw with his hand believing taa- ne
was cutting the flow on. is something
/ that can never Dee known"
Mrs. CropPer Informed.
An effort was made Immediately To
communicate with Mrs. Cr0ppe- both by
/ telephone and telegraph. Friends of the
family were unable 10 locate her unit.
after O'Clock. when they succeeded in
1 communicating with d friend. who said
/ she would notify Mrs. Cropper No az
rangements FOR the funeral viii be made
until she arrives in Washington
Both HIr and Mrs. Cropper have been
/ promInent in Washington society Tor
more than twenty years Ar Cropper
was born iu New York city hfty-siN
wears ago. lie was admitted 10 the bar
OF the District of Columbia several
years ago, but never practiccd his pro-
/ fession.
Shock to His Friends.
News Of his sudden death came as
great shock TO his many friends in the
/ METROPOLITAN and Chevy Chase Clubs.
in the affairs OF which he took an active
part lie was a member OF the Gin
cinnati Society. and of the Society OF
the War Of 1872.
His wife was Miss Ann McLane.
daughter of the late Robert MCLane,
at one time minister to Paris. Mrs.
Cropper is considered one of the wealth.
lest women in the smart set OF this
city. and Mr.. CroppeF was also left a
handsome fortune and a large estate on
the eastern shore OF Maryland by his
father.
Mrs. Cropper is a member of che So
ciety of the Colonial Danes, the Society
OF the Colonial Wars. and the Washing
ton Club. The couple owned an exten-
sive country estate at Buena Vista. Nd.
where they spent many summers. DUr-
ing the last few years LEY have travel
ed abroad considerably, but have al
ways been in Washington for several
months during the summer.
General Ernest Overcome.
When seen at his Office this morning
General Ernst was completely overcome
bv the death Of his friend. He paid
Mr. Cropprr many tributes Of his uu-
bounded generosity and charity. and
spoke highly of the character OF the
man.
Roth AiT. and Mrs. Cropper have al
ways been present at the most eNclu-
sive social functions given in this citl
and his death viii p" the source II deep
regret IN a large ciTt-as =9sasids
SI.z5 to Baltimore and Return