The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-31
ESCAPES AFTER
BEING IN GRIP
Of GAS FUMES

vas found alive when discovered yester-
day at his home at 10 John street. Beside
him on the floor lay his dead wife. Rose
Finn.
His remarkable escape from death is at
tributed 20 his exceptionally strong con-
sttution and because the gas came from
a quarter meter. ana was exhausted be-
fore It had robbed him of all his strength.
1lis wife had been dead for some time.
The tragedy was discovered by John
Rogers tho grandson OF Mrs. Finn, who
had come with his mother TO visit the
couple.
The police were notified and DIR. j. u.
Iavoie and Medical Examiner French ar
rived soon after. Dr. Lavoie Immediately
turned his attention 90 the man, who be-
sides suffering from the gas Fumes had
been without food and water and was
only partially covered by the bed clothes.
whether the asphyxiation was aociden-
tai or not " not known. The only pecu-
liar thing about the case Is the fact that
the woman WAS dressed showing that she
had not retired for the night. 1T was sug
eested that she had been doing In a chair
snd fell to the foor when overcome.
on the table I'm the house stood the
Christmas turkey ell dressed and ready
for cooking on tho morrow. From this IL
was readily seen that 1t was Monday
evening when the pair had retired and
the house showed that preparations for
the morrow had been made before rotir-
ing The fire was dumped and tho rooms
had all been cleaned. 1t was also learned
that the couple expected company on
Christmas Day, but as a matter OF fact
the visitors did not arrive until the day
following.
Mr. and Mrs, Finn occupied the lower
tenement at ID John street and upstairs
lived Mr.. and Mrs. Herbert slavin. Mrs
slavin saw Mrs. Finn on Monday In the
yard and that was the last seen or heard
OF the pair until they were discovered
yesterday afternoon on Wednesday the
expected company arrived, but were un-
able to get in. The suggestion that Of
fered itself was that they had probably
gone visiting
Matters continued In this way until yes
terday afternoon, when Mrs. Charles
Rogers a daughter OF the couple, and
her son, came 10 the house to pay visit.
They knocked several times, but got no
answer Mrs Slavin came out at this
point and told what she knew concerning
the fact that Mr. and Mrs. Finn had not
been seen since the night before Christ
mas.
Mrs Rogers became alarmed at this in
formation and decided 10 force an en-
trance, One OF the back windows or the
house was opened and the boy was sent
Inside. He discovered the couple In their
room, both lying apparently liteless, the
woman on the floor and the man In bed.
He ran back TO the door and, unlocking
IT, allowing his mother and Mrs. Slavin
TO enter glance at the two bodies
showed the woman TO be dead, but the
man living, and the odor Of gas was
still prevalent.
The woman was lying on the floor face
downward and was dressed. showing that
she had not retired for the night when
overcome by the fumes OF the gas. The
burner at one side OF the room was open,
but no gas was escaping, as the supply
had been exhausted. The fact that II was
quarter meter, which stopped giving
out gas as soon as the quarters worth
was exhausted, was the only thing which
saved the life Of Mr.. Finn.
Rev Frs. Bassett and Hardy Of the
Church of Our Lady of Consolation were
also summoned. but their services were
not needed as It soon became apparent
that Mr. Finn would recover from the
effects Of the gas. The medical examiner
arrived on the scene shortly afterwards,
and after making an examination and
interviewing the persons who discovered
the conditions Of the couple decided that
II was case of accidental asphyxiation
and gave permission for the burial OF the
body OF the woman The medical ex-
aminer thought that the woman had been
dead for four or five days.
GIFT TO CHURCH OF $4,000.
A New Years gift OF $4,000 has been
presented so the Smithfield Avenue
Congregational church by the Lorraine
Manufacturing company OF this city.
The announcement was made AT the
formal opening Of the church yesterday
morning by Rev. Erie @. Lindh, and
IT came as "A great surprise to the
members OF the church, although the
board of directors OF the company
voted nearly month ago TO make the
present.
The exercises were opened at 1880
o'clock in the morning, there being
about 700 present A very elaborate
program OF music was rendered by the
church choir.
The pastor made the announcement
at the opening OF the service after
Scripture readings by Rev. C. D. Harp
of Providence and prayer by Rev. r. II.
Whitman of the Valley Falls Baptist
church. The speaker OF the occasion
was-Rev Asbury p krom pastor of
the Benehcent Congregational church
OF Providence, who took for his sub
ject The Ideal Church" In the even
ing the musical program was repated
and on the platform was seated Gov
elect James II Higgins, Rev Olaf
Lindh OF Cambridge, father OF Rev. Mr..
Iindh. Rev. Frank j. Goodwin, pastor
Of the Pawtucket Congregational
church, and Rev. J. b. Marsh OF Paw
tucket.
The announcement was repeated and
the church was crowded to its utmost
capacity. about 100 being in attend
Ance. Rev. Edward g. Sanderson Of
Providence gave an impressive address.
taking his subject from Matthew ". 10;
"The Coming OF the Kingdom"
At the conclusion of the services the
members of the church and their
friends held reception and were given
n chance to inspect the handsome new
structure. The work OF the pastor,
Rev. Mr.. Lindh. was commended by all
and it was especially gratifying 10
know that he had accomplished so
much during a short pastorate. He
has been in Pawtucket only q few
years and on arriving there was IN
charge OF the church, which had
small wooden chapel on Weeden street.
Under his guidance the growth of the
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