Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-11
INQUIRY INTO. DEATH
Commissioner Acts on Request
of Trimmer's Family.
DIED AT INSANE HOSPITAL
Ribs Broken and Bruises Said to
Have Been Found on Body.

please investigate and report upon the
treatment of James z. Trimmer. uncle OF
Mrs. W. II. DeShields. OF 123 5th street
northeast. who was taken to the Wash
ington Asylum Hospital October g. and
from there TO the Government Hospital
for the Insane October %. and who died
at the Government Hospital for the In
sane at 4 O'Clock am. November 8.
1T is alleged that marks of serious
violence were found upon his body and
that three ribs were broken The case
| Is described as one of nervous pYostration
and due TO the prolonged illness OF the
| mans wife. and he is alleged not to have
been violent. 80 that he was not put into
q strait jacket.
Commissioner mcfarland sent the fore
going request this morning to Superin-
tendent of Charities Wilson, following
complaint made to him yesterday by
relatives Of Trimmer. and il Is possible
that the death of the patient Will eventu-
ally be passed upon by jury OF Inquest
The police department mas already made
an investigation and reached the con-
clusion that Trimmer's death was due 10
natural causes. failing TO find that he had
been harshly treated.
Sent to Hospital October "a.
Trimmer, who was fifty-five years old.
resided at 414 Sth street southwest. More
than two weeks ago he was reported 10
have disappeared from his home. and the
police were asked 10 find him. The night
Of October y he entered the fourth pre-
cinct station. talked incoherently and said
something about having been sent to
private institution for treatment. He de-
cIared he would hot remain there.
Capt Mulhall and Lieut.. Flather sent
him TO the first precinct station. ana the
next morning he was transferred 10 the
washington Asylum Hospital for treat
ment and observation. Last saturday ne
died at the Government Hospital Tor the
Insane. An autopsy was performed anu
II was shown that death mad resulted
from an attack OF pneumonia following a
severe injury he had received to his side.
three ribs having been fractured.
Said to Be Result Of Fall.
When his body reached the District
morgue an investigation was made by
Coroner hewitt. Detective Harry Warren
having been detailed TO assist in the in
yestigation. The detective learned what
he could of the history OF the case. and
reached the conclusion that the Injury
sust aimed by Trimmer had resulted from
a fall. as the hospital authorities had
stated but II did not appear how he re-
ceiyed an injury to his eye and reported
marks on his throat.
After the patient reached the Govern
ment Hospital for the Insane. IL is re-
ported he became obstreperous and gave
considerable trouble. He Is said to have
tugged at the radiator in his room some
time and afterward be struggled to re-
move the iron grating from over the win
dow In making the latter effort. IL Is
stated he fell across the bed and frac-
tured his ribs.
Mrs De Shields and other relatives OF
the dead man are not satisfied with the
treatment he received and the manner or
his death. and want an investigation.
This Commissioner Mcfarland has or
dered although. as already stated. there
has been an Official Investigation made