Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-16
ENDS LIFE BY A FALL
William Augustine Ridgely
Jumps From High Window.
EVIDENT SUICIDAL INTENT
Recently Found in Room Overcome
by Illuminating Gas.
UNHAPPY AND DESPONDENT
Affected by Transfer in Position as
Employe of the City
Post Office.
EVIDENT SUICIDAL INTENT
UNHAPPY AND DESPONDENT

Despondert because of his transfer from
the Mount Pleasant post office substation.
where he had been employed several
years. to that in the southwest section,
William Augustine Ridgely jumped from
a fourth-story window of his home 11O4
18th street this morning and was instantly
killed. He had not fully recovered, it is
said. from the poisonous effects of IL
Illuminating gas which was found turned
on in his room about two weeks ago, and
rose from his bed resolved to end his life.
Mr.. Ridgely was a veteran employee Of
the city post office, having been in the
service about forty years. Most of that
time spent at the main office, and
for several years he was the assistant
superintendent of carriers. Several years
ago he was transferred from the big
building on Pennsylvania avenue to
station F. Mount Pleasant. There he was
associated with old friends and the work
was congenial.
Transfer in Employment
The latter part of February. however,
M. Ridgely was notified that he would
be transferred to station d on AZ street
near IL street southwest. From that mo-
ment he was unhappy and respondent.
His transfer was ordered to take effect
February -, but he never reported at the
new station. Members of his family say
that he seemed determined not to go
there.
One morning about the time the trans
fer was to become effective the odor Of
gas was discovered from Mr.. Ridgely s
room and his son, who entered, found
gas flowing from open jet.
Mr.. Ridgeiy was on the floor The
Emergency Hospital ambulance was sum-
moned and he was taken to that institu-
ton. By heroic efforts life was saved.
Mr.. Ridgely returned from the hospital
to his home a few days ago and had been
under treatment of the family physician
since. His good spirits seemed to be re-
turning and he discussed plans for a trip
to Atlantic City with his wife. He gave
no indication last night that he had de-
signs on his life.
Acts With Deliberation.
Shortly after o'clock this morning,
when Mrs. Ridgely visited the room to
give her husband medicine and breakfast
he greeted her pleasantly and told her
what he wanted for breakfast. Promising
to get it for him at once. she left the
room and went to the kitchen on the
floor below.
crash in the rear of the house fol-
lowed. The domestic employed in the
house rushed to the rear door and then
summoned a son of the deceased. Lying
I'm the areaway with blood flowing from
wounds on the head, the fathers body
was found. The other members of the
family were quickly notified When
Mrs. Ridgely learned of what had occur
red she collapsed.
Mr.. Ridgely jumped from a fourth
story rear window. His room was on
the third floor. AS sooA as his wife
left the room. 1t is believed. he arose
from bed, proceeded to the top story of
the house. opened the blinds of the rear
window and jumped. He landed close
to the house wall on his side. Death, 1t
is thought. was instantaneous.
The police were notified Immediately.
and Detectives O'Brien and Forteney
went to the house and took charge of
the remains The coroner arrived later
and gave a certificate of death by suicide.
Native of Maryland.
Mr.. Ridgely was born in Upper MARI
boro Md. sixty-three years ago, and came
to this city when he was ten years of
fage. His wife and two sons, w. A. Ridge
ly, jr.. of the Post Office Department
and Harry S. Ridgely of the Department
of Justice. survive the deceased.
During most of the forty years he spent
in the post office service Mr.. Ridgely was
an associate of &. u. Hartung, former
superintendent Of the Mount Pleasant SUBJ
alton, and the death Of that official a
few weeks ago. it is declared, was a
great shock to Mr. Ridgely.
The deceased was a member of Cal
vary NJ. E. Church and attended the
services there regularly.