The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-05-04
Clerk Giers Plunges
Down for Four
Stories.
Thud of Body on Stone
First Warning to
Comrades.
Victim Had Failed to
Depend Upon His
Clutches.

In the belief that he was on the
road TO recovery and trying to do
away with his crutches, on which
he had leaned for six years, Charles
]. Giers, for twenty-three years a
clerk in the War Department, lost
his balance while passing through a
corridor on the fourth floor and tum-
bled to the basement at 1880 o'clock
this morning. Mr.. Giers struck the
stone floor on his head. and death
was instantaneous.
For several years Mr.. Giers has
been a sufferer from locomotOr
ataxia. A few years ago his condi-
tion was such that friends or rela-
tives had TO assist him into the build
ing, and into and out of the ele-
vators. For a while he was driven
to the building III a carriage
Because of his affiiction he moved
as near the Office as possible,
and for some time has been living at
1T23 G street northwest, within half
block Of the building
Christian Scientist.
A few months ago. Mt.
Giers, according 10 statements
made by his most intimate asso-
ciatcs in the Office. became a convert 10
Christian Science. He became an ardent
advocate Of the belief and soon began 20
assure his friends that he had been
greatly improved BY Il In proof Of this,
blae-qr7 - Tfs-ars,a With the sfIDrfNrt OF
his crutches 20 some extent AT the
lunch hour he would practice IN the
corr idor. walking with the crutches loose
under his arm. merely holding 70 the
hsEdles for guidance
This morning he had occasion 20 go
a few doors down the corridor Only
few moments before he had remarked
thar he was feeling unusually well. and
he was seen TO walk slowly, dispensing
with the aid Of his crutches as usual
As he turned the stairway well In the
northeast corner OF the State, War and
Navy Building he was seen TO plunge
over the railing
Lost His Balance
No one saw him till after he was well
over. but his friends express the belief
that he must have lost his balance, and
was precipitated over the railing. Mr.
Giers was slightly more than six feet in
height and 81 was pointed out that by
losing his balance. and being close TO the
railing. he might easily nave tallen over.
This is in contradiction 70 any theory
that may be advanced as 10 an inter-
tlonal tragedy.
Messengers on the basement floor, at
whose feet the body dropped. ran 70 the
nearest medical office, which was thaL
Of the Surgeon General OF the Navy
Physicians pronounced life extinct The
body was removed 70 the emergency
room Of the building, where Coroner
Nevitt pronounced death accidental The
body was removed 10 Lees undertaking
esta blishment-
cidental or otherwise, that has occurred
in connection with the Stairways since
the building was constructed About
twenty years ago a man threw himself
over the banisters in an opposite cor
ner Of the building. Two or three other
persons were stricken with heart trOu-
bic and fell over the Danisters. Mrs
McIlheny, a charwonlan. was crushed
to death by an elevator a year ago last
October.
When Secretary Taft became head OF
the War Department he had brass rail-
ings placed six inches above the ban
lister rail on all stairways of the build
ing.
Had Good Record
Mr.. Giers was born in Alabama forty
two years ago, and was appointed an
assistant messenger in the Surgeon Gen
eralS ONCE January = lSe4. he was
promoted 70 clerk at s., 600 in the same
Office January Is, 1890 In July, he vas
promoted TO the $40 grade and trans
ferred 10 the RecOr1 and Pension Onice
upon the organization Of that office,
which was later changed into the Mill
taTy Secretary's Office. and recently 10
Adiutant Generals Office.
II was said by Major General AIMS
worth, adJutant general. that Mr.. Giers
had a record for high efficiency in his
work. IN spite Of his ailment He was
reliable and prompt benig always at
the office on the opening hour and
never in any way shirl<ing any Of his
duties IL was stated by his associates
that during his most serious illness
they attempted 10 relieve him as much
as possible. but he would not permit Il.
saying that each man must do his own
work. and II he had to impose upon
them he would give up the ship" This
his physicians advised him to do time
and again. but he stuck faithfully TO