The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-12-17
GROPES IN DARK
AND MEETS
DEATH
Arthur P. Thomas, a Young
Journalist, Receives Fatal
Shock From Electric Wire
KILLED IN HOME
IN EAST OAKLAND
Lifeless to Floor
When He Touches Button
to Turn on the Light

OAKLAND, Dec. J6.-Arthur p.
Thomas, 20 years of age, who until
two weeks ago wns a member of the
editorial staff of the Oakland Enquirer,
met tragic death at his home at
1902 Seventh avenue shortly after mid
night this morning, being electrocuted
as he attempted to turn ON the electric
Death was instantaneous. as the cur
rent passed directly through the upper
part of the body near the heart.
Thomas had Just returned from the
dress rehearsal OF q play which he was
directing for the Emersonian Club, an
organization Of young people of East
Oakland, and had entered the bathroom
to wash his hands. 1t is supposed that
he reached up with one hand to locate
the gas and electric fixture, and then
reached with his other hand to turn
on the electric current. In so doing
he formed a direct contact with his
hands. and the deadly fluid. passing
through his body, hurled him lifeless
to the floor.
The sound of his fall was heard by
his mother, Mrs Sarah r. Thomas. and
she hurried into the bathroom to find
the body of her son stretched on the
floor with a tiny stream of blood pour
Ing from his mouth. where he had
struck against the edge of the wash
stand. Believing at first that the young
man had tainted, Mrs Thomas at
tempted to restore him to conscious
ness, but finding that he did not re
spoEd to her efforts, she summoned DR..
Dudley Smith, and on his arrival the
physician found that life was extinct.
DR.. Smith expressed the opinion that
the shock of the electricity had affected
the young mans heart. as he did not
think that the current which passed
through his body was powerful enough
to cause death, but this theory was
disproved today when the fixture was
tested by an electrician and was found
to be still so heavily charged that on
a contact being made with the fixture
the metal of the bracket was almost
burned through.
After determining that Thomas was
beyond medical aid DR.. Smith notified
the Coroner of the sudden death of
the young man. and an inquest will be
held to determine, If possible. the re-
sponsibility for his tragic end. After
witnessing the testing of the fixture
today. members of the family declared
that faulty wiring had caused the fatal
accident. or else that the service wires
to the house had become crossed with
conductors carrying a heavier voltage,
which was communicated to the fixture
in the house. They will demand a
searching investiga ton of the case by
the Coroner
Thomas was well known in East
Oakland. where he has resided with
years. He was a popular member of
the Emersonian Club and at the time
of his death had just returned from
directing the last rehearsal of the
play Ten Nights in Barroom"
which was to have been presented by
the club next Tuesday evening at
Washington Hall.
The deceased had for some time been
a member of the editorial staff OF the
Oakland Enquirer. but two weeks ago
he severed his connection with the pa
per to accept a position in the Office
of a blueprint company.
The funeral will be held at / D. M
on Tuesday, December Is, from the
family residence. The services will be
conducted by the Rev. l.. l.. Loofbor-
ough. pastor of the Eighth Avenue
Methodist Church The deceased leaves.
besides his mother, a brother, Willard
]. Thomas. and a sister. Miss Mabel