Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-12
DIED IN THE STATION
MEMBER OF PARTY OF EXCUR-
sIoNIsTs PASSES AWAY.
Believed to Have Been n. P. Totter
Of Bluefield, w. Va.-Result
Of an Autopsy.

While occupying a cell in the sixth pre-
cinct station house yesterday afternoon a
man believed to be H. p. Totten, con-
tractor. of Bluefield, w. Va, who had reg
istered at the Metropolitan Hotel In this
city, died. His body was discovered in the
cell at 1855 O'clock and the coroner was at
once notified Morgue Master Schone-
berger proceeded to the station house and
removed the body to the morgue where an
autopsy was held to determine the cause of
death. 1t was decided that he died of
acute gastritis, caused by alcoholism.
From the time that he was arrested until
the body was found Totten was able to talk
very little It was stated by friends who
came to this city with him from his home
that he had a considerable sum of money
before he started to drinking. His friends,
Friday. searched the city, but were unable
to locate him, and he failed to occupy his
room in the hotel that night. When he was
found there was only 81. 10 in small change
in his pockets.
When found Totten was in dense stupor
and although he was in the station house
for more than six hours his condition did
not improve.
Came Here With Friends.
Totten came here Wednesday with an ex-
cursion party from Tennessee and West
Virginia.
The party arranged to go home Friday
evening, as the excursion returned then.
Totten was among the missing. Inquiries
were made for him before train time, but
he was not located. ..
He had quite sum of money with him,
and I am afraid he will lose it, one of his
friends explained at the hotel.
rne FRIENDS paid their Oils Friday night
and returned to Bluefield. Shortly after
S o'clock yesterday morning Policeman
Armstrong of the sixth precinct discovered
Totem at the northeast corner Of AZ street
and Pennsylvania avenue clinging to
treeboX he called tor the patrol wagon
and TOtten was driven tC the station house.
He was not able to walk at that time and
it was necessary to carry him into the sta
ton from the wagon. After being searched
he was put in cen No. and LETT to sleep
off the effects of what was thought to be
liquor.
Cell Visited Several Times.
The cC.l was visited several times during
the morning and early afternoon, and on
each occasion policeman opened the cell
door to If the occupant was all right.
About twenty-five minutes before the body
was found Policeman Potter was in the
cell. The prisoner then requested to be
helped onto the bench. He had been lying
on the floor on his face.
When the officer made his next round 1t
was discovered that Totten was dead
Capt ByrneS was notified and, after max
ing personal investigation, he notified the
morgue and the coroner.
In the clothing of the deceased was a key
to room 60 at the Metropolitan Hotel. to
which Totten was assigned, and also a
mileage book bearing his name and a letter
signed by Totten, which he had evidently
forgotten to mail.
Capt Boardman telegraphed last night to
Bluefeld, w. Va, for information concern
ing the deceased, but up to a late hour no
reply had been received.
DIR. Sutton performed an autopsy at the
request of Coroner hewitt and he an
nounced the cause of death to be as stated.
The body will be held here pending the re-
ceipt of instructions from relatives of Tot
ten. The coroner decided that an inquest
was unnecessary.