Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-08
DEATHCAME SUDDENLY
GRIFFIN B. COLEMAN SUCCUMBS
TO ACUTE INDIGESTION.
Expires in Carriage While on His
Way Home From Official
Duties.

Griffin y. Coleman, superintendent OF re-
pairs of the District and formerly secre-
tary and manager of the old Metropolitan
Street Railway Company. died suddenly
Yesterday afternoon. When the news OF
his death reached the District building this
morning 1t came distinct shock, as he
had been on duty all day yesterday and
was being driven to his home, 1905 Massa-
chusetts avenue northeast, when death
claimed him.
When the body was later examined by
physician Mr. Coleman's death was at
tributed to acute indigestion. He was In
apparently good health when he left MS
home yesterday morning to go to his place
of employment. He spent an unusually
busy day driving from one end OF the CITY
10 the other inspecting some repair work
being made by the workmen Shortly after
o'clock he drove to the engineer depart
ment stables to shelter his horse for the
night and while talking to John w. Bean
SUPERINTENDENT of the stables, in the latter
office. he complained of severe pain IN
his abdomen. The pain became SO sharp
that he was compelled to lie down. Hop
ing to relieve his suffering Mr.. Beall gave
him a stlmulant. He seemed to get better,
and upon Mr.. Beall's advice decided to go
directly home. instead of going to his Of
fee at the District building, as was his IN
tention Being considerably alarmed about
MS condition Mr.. Beall had one of his
drivers accompany him home.
Drops Back Dead.
They were within four or five blocks OF
the Coleman home when Mr.. Coleman put
his hand to his heart and without uttering
sound dropped back on the seat dead. The
driver whipped up the horse and, after
carving the body to the family residence,
hurriedly summoned a physician, who upon
arrival at once pronounced Mr.. Coleman
dead.
MIR. Coleman's wife and four children, the
oldest being a boy eighteen years of age,
survive him. 1t was great shock TO them
when his body was taken into the mouse.
Mrs Coleman was Frustrated from erlel'
Capt. Kelly. assistant engineer commits
sioner visited the home this morning as
representative of the Commissioners and
offered any assistance that might be in MS
power The funeral will be held Monday
morning from St. Josephs Church, I'd and
c streets northeast. but the preliminary ar
rangements have not yet been made.
Hard Working Official.
Griffin B. Coleman was conceded to be one
of the most efficient and hardest working
officials in the District employ. Although a
man of small physique, he possessed Won
derful amount of energy and strength. He
was born in Virginia fifty years ago. When
a lad in his teens. after receiving a common
country school education he came to Wash
ington full of ambition and vigor to seek
his fortune. as he had often since told his
friends when speaking of his early career
He received employment with the Metro
poltan Street Railway Company in the
smallest possible capacity. 1t was not long,
however. before he was promoted to the po-
siton of conductor on a horse car, and then
TO a clerical position in the executive offices
of the company. and by his honesty and
display of ability he soon worked himself
up to secretary and manager or the road,
which position paid 5000.
When the road sold to the Washing
ton Railway and Electric Company Mr..
Coleman severed his connection with the
company. He was employed as clerk In
the census office for short time, and later
received a temporary position in the District
assessors office. In 1900 he was appointed
to a clerkship on the permanent roll of the
District engineer department, and the fol-
lowing year was promoted to superinten-
dent of repairs. which position he held up
to the time of his death.