The Washington times., 1910-06-05
DEATH OCCIDENTAL.

DEATH ACCIDENTAL.
Wide-Open widows in Mr.. Cowl's
room bore testimony that his death
was accidental and that when he re-
tired at 9 o'clock last night his
thoughts were Of fresh air and health
and not Of choking gas and death.
A leaSy gas jet was responsible for
his death. Accidental death was Cor
Oner Nevitt's verdict.
In spite Of the burns she received.
Mrs Cowl did not lose her courage
nor her self-controI until she had
summoned assistance from outside.
Then she collapsed and had 70 Be
taken TO the hospital for attention.
Mr.. Cowl, who was hurried to the
hospital in a patrol wagon. was be-
yond the aid Of physicians when he
reached there He died in a few min
utes.
BENJAMIN S. CowI was a we'll
known patent attorney in Washington
and had extensive business interests
throughout the country He was forty
years Of age. enjoyed the best OF
health, and was devotedIy attached
TO his family, consisting Of his wife
and three children.
RetiIes At O'clock
Last night he retired about ororo-l, -.
his own room In the rear Of the second
floor Of his house-a room he had nod
eied for his own private use and where
he sometimes slept as he did last even
inE- Mrs CowI slept in the front room
on the same floor with one OF The small
Ter children The gas jet in Nr. Cows
room was equipped with a tee fixture
that permitted the attachment Of aexfbrs
tubing for connection with a heater
The key OF the heater fixture was so
placed that there was just room between
it and the lighting key TO permit Of its
being turned on full This key vas very
loose IN its socket
When Mr.. CowI retired last aight he
lowered both the rear windows Of his
room from the top in order 90 admit
plenty of fresh air and left the door
ajar. shortly after o'cI..k this morn
ms. Mrs CowI awoke feeI lg greatly de-
pressed She instantly detected The odor
Of gas and rising quicszIy tested the
burners in her room and found them in
proper order. In the hall. where The
Odor was. stronger, the fixtures we're as
they should be.
Leads to His Room.
The search led her TO her hush ,nd's
room. She entered in the dark. walk
ed 10 the side OF the room, where the
gas Jet was located and turned OF the
fixture she had found open.
Then she struck a ma tch.
The enure room flashed into fame as
the gas whi,h had been accommodating
since Q o'clock exploded.
Mr.. CowTs grown daughter, attracted
by her step-mOther's cr.es. ran 10 ner
and together they summoned assistance
An alarm Of fire was sounded and a
section OF the FIRE department was
quickly on the scene The ignited gas
had burned itself out in the fash, how
ever, and no damage was done 10
the room by ire. Mr.. CowI was quickly
removed from the room and hurried 20
the hospital in No. patrol wagon
which had been summoned with the
reserves from the station at the alarm
Of fire.
The unconscious man was beyond all
human aid when he arrived az the hos
pital. however, and died within a few
minutes. Mrs. Cowl. whose injuries at
first appeared TO be severe. was found
to have only superficial burns. although
she had sustained d nervous shock which
made her condition serious
Coroner hewitt was notified Of the
death Immediately. and after viewing
the remains and examining the premises
issued a certificate Of accidental death.
Mr.. COwl was widely known socially
and Il, brrsfra-. rf-otes