Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-09
VICTIM OF FALL INTO AREA
STRANGER FOUND DYING IN
HOUSE vEsTIBULE.
Passes Away in Hospital-Believed
to Be B. L. Smith of Nor
folk. Va.

a young man. decently clothed. with
a few cents and q number of papers and
cards in his pockets. was removed to the
Emergency Hospital from the vestibule
at the house of Preston c. Phillips S22
/ street northwest. about G:30 o'clock
this morning. in a dying condition The
man died at the Emergency Hospital
this afternoon about o'clock.
The right side of his face had been
badly bruised and cut. His symptoms in
dcated a fracture at the base of the skull.
Papers found in his pockets indicate his
name is Bernard l.. Smith. and that he
probably came here from Norfolk. Va.
Receipts for rent signed by S. B. Pal
mer show he has lived in Philadelphia
1t IS believed the man sustained his
injuries by falling into the areaway i'm
front of the house of Mr. Phillips. Blood
stains on the steps and pavement indicate
he had fallen or was thrown there. He
was able to ascend the steps from the
bottom of the areaway to the front door.
where he fell upon the vestibule floor re-
naming there until found by Mr.. Phillips
about $50 o'clock -
Probably Fell Down Steps.
How he managed 10 receive his in-
iuries is not known. Hospital physicians
told the police there was strong odor
of liquor on his breath. This induces
the police to conclude that the man had
accidentally fallen while under the in
nuence of liquor. There is nothing to
indicate he was the victim Of violence
So far as the police We're able to ascer-
tain, the young man was about the front
of the home of Mr.. Phillips more than
three hours.
a clock Nyc
Helen NJ. Walker, occupant of an apart
ment in the | street house, heard the
front door bell ring. She heard two other
distinct rings. but gave the matter nc
serious thought. She knew there was nc
message for her and felt certain that
Mr.. Phillips had heard the bell and would
respond.
Mr. Phillips did not hear the bell how
ever. 1T was not until after he had
found the occupant of the vestibule thai
| he was told OF the ringing of the bell
Police Investigation.
Precinct Detective kleindienst and Bi.
cycle Policeman Bobo of the first precinc,
were sent to the house of Mr.. PhIlips to
make an investigation. Later in the day
Inspector Roardman detailed Detective
McNamee to assist them
The detectives and police visited the
! hospital and made careful examination
OF the effects of the patient, which con.
sisted of ID cents in cash. few papers
! cards. letters. kilograms and addresses
OF persons in Petersburg, Norfolk anG
| Newport News. Va, Savannah, Ga. an6
Philadelphia and Germantown, Pa.
A letter found among his effects had
| been addressed to Mrs B. L. Smith 22s
| 26th street. Newport. News. and returned
to him at the general delivery, Norfolk
with the statement that Mrs. Smith could
not be found.
II is the belief of the police that the
man was a canvasser for newspapers The
! list. of papers in Georgia and Virginia
was found among his effects The names
| of several ministers were also written in
| his notebook
| Among his effects was an ADVERTISING
| card Of Mrs. w. II. Smith, 700 18th street
Norfolk, Va. who has a furnished room
house The police think Mrs. Smith i,
the mother of the victim of the accident
! Inspector Boardman wired the Norfolk
authorities to have her interviewed