The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-09-17
Eighteen-Year-Old Lad As
phyXiated at the Howard
House During Night.
ACCIDENTAL DEATH,
DECLARES CORONER
Beyond Fact He Is L. K. Stoner, of
Illinois, Police Have Not
Identified Body.

His arms folded over his chest and his
countenance like that OF a sleeping
child, an eiEhteen-year-cld boy. who
registered at midnight as Il l. Stoner.
Chicago" was found dead in his bed
at the Howard House this morning, as
phyxiated.
Coroner ]. r. hewitt. after Il five-nIn-
ute examination Of the nody' and sur
vey Of the room. pronounced 1t a case
Of accidental death
THE little college chap" they have
called him since he frst came to Wash
ington and 70 the Howard House six
days ago. He was a typical college boy.
with the carefree ways IF the under
graduate and clothes that are charac-
teristic Of the campus and the lecture
room.
When he was found at 7:3o O'Clock
this morning he had been dead about
four hours. His blue suit and cap were
hung on the wall beside his bed. his
other clothes arranged carefully on a
chair nearby The one small window
which ventilated the room was closed,
the transom and door shut tight, and
the gas cock half turned on
Bedclothes About Him.
The bedclothes were wrapped closely
about BIN as though 10 keep him warm.
and his sturdy arms were folded across
his chest. rs eyes had been closed by
sleep. and II was hard TO believe that
he was not merely sleeping the sleep OF
a healthy boy.
From the few papers in his pockets Il
would appear that his name was Leon
K Stoner, of Freeport. Ill More 1han
found. showing that during the past
few months he had attended scores Of
theaters IN Chicago, New York. and
Washington. and on the back OF an en-
velope he had cleverly sketched the
head OF a pretty girl Under 1t he had
written Elsie" On the back OF on,
unaddrsssed envelope was written in a
boys handwriting, y. l. x. Stoner.
Europe With love from all H X
Stoner."
The police are Inclined to believe that
the boy left home a few months ago.
and has been travelling about the coJIn-
try IN search OF excitement and adven-
ture- No letters from his parents or
relatives were found. and Il is thought
that he might have run away. The Do
lice are making an effort TO discover
his home and notify his relatives.
The boy was unusually well built was
about five feet ton inches tall and weigh
ed about $50 pounds. His face was club
by and clear, and his high. white fore
head was surmounted by a mass OF
curly reddish hair.
Came From New York.
Tho little college chap Is dead" was
the whispered message that went
through the corridors and office Of the
Howard House this morning. and over
those who had come into contact with
the eyer-smiling. lusty hoy from the
West, there came a gIeo-n. such as
comes only with an intense tragedy OIL
human life. Six days ago, he came 70
the hotel from New York, and he spent
much Of his time up to Tuesday after
noon riding about on the sightseein, an
tos and visiting the theaters- Tuesday
afternoon, he left word at the hotel
office that ne was going to take 2 short
trip into the country. He returned
shortly before midnight last night ana
was given room No. 50 on the fourth
floor.
Coroner Is Shocked.
When the Coroner reached the botaI
and walked into the room with a num-
Der Of police officers. an involuntary
murmur came from their lips.
"Only a boy" said Dr. Nevt4t slow
ly, and he walked directly to the "a
cock and tried II. BE found that n
worked loosely and could be turned on
or or with the slightest touch Of The
finger.
Accidental" he said. when he had
given the room a brief survey ,sIfs
died while he slept. Nc one ever roas
to bed as peacefully IS that boy aid
and to sleep with suicide in their mind
1t is one Of the saddest cases I have
ever seen"
The body was removed to the uorgue
and the police at Freeport, III, rotifiai
OF the death, and asked to ascertain
If the boy lived there.