Evening star., 1913-01-15
WOMAN IS FOUND DEAD,
HER HUSBAND STARVING
10tange Tragedy in Home of
Robert Simpson Discov-
cred by Police.

The dead body Of Mrs. Ella Simpson,
prone on the floor in the hall just back
of the door to the street, and her in
valid husband, in his room above. fallen
out Of bed, half conscious and
nearly starving, in their home at III
22d street, was the spectacle that met
the view Of the police when they broke
into the silent house, shortly after
noon today.
The man, Robert Simpson, eighty three
years old and watchman in the
Treasury Department, was taken to the
Emergency Hospital The bedy of Mrs.
Simpson lies where 1t had fallen await
ing the inspection and verdict or the cor
Oner
DR.. J. w. Hart. who has been attend
ing Mr.. Simpson for dislocated hip,
sponsible for the discovery Of the
strange tragedy in the little home
where the couple lived alone.
Sunday night he called IN his profess
sional capacity, and attended the sick
man. Monday morning. passing the house,
he noticed that the bottle of milk and the
daily paper had not been taken in. That
evening he rang the bell without re-
sponse. Believing that Mrs. Simpson
might be out, as was sometimes his eX-
perence he went his way.
Tuesday morning another bottle of milk
and another newspaper were beside the
first one. He rang the bell, and gained
no answer. This morning. when he saw
that a. third bottle had been added to the
collection, he rang the bell at the door
again an dagain, and then called in the
police.
Woman's Body in Hall.
Policeman S. G. Stroman and DR..
Hart forced the front door. Two dogs,
one fox TERROR. and the other small
black and tan. barked at them as they
made their, way in. The body of Mrs.
Simpson. clad in night garments. stretch
ed across the hall, at once met their
gaze.'.
They went upstairs to the living rooms.
where they found Mr. Simpson in his
aight robe, apparently fallen out Of bed.
seated on the floor, moaning with pain
from his wounded hip, and unable to
articulate. There was no sign of heat in
the house. Mr.. Simpson was half frozen,
as we'll as starving.
The ambulance was called and Mr..
Simpson was hurriedly conveyed to Emer-
gency Hospital. He was found to be in a
terribly weakened condition. He regained
consciousness and was able to give some
explanation of his condition to the physi-
clans. His condition is serious, although
there is hope Of recovery.
DR.. Hart. who has been attending him.
stated that his injury resulted from a
fall. that he then dislocated his hip. and
that one effect of the mishap was an ap-
pearance of aphasia, which had been
rapidly disappearing. His place as a
watchman at the Treasury had been held
open for him until very recently.
He was not, however, without means. 4
passbook showed a savings bank account
of $3.50. The couple are known to have
title to improved property in Mt. Rainier.
assessed at s4Oo. Three watches were
also in the house. besides a small amount
of cash.
Mr.. Simpson was veteran of the civil
war. He was a member of Phil Kearney
Post. G. A. r., and also affiliated with the
Union Veterans Legion.
Hungry Chickens Found.
In the rear Of the house We're found
half a dozen hungry hens. The police and
detectives prepared meal for the chickens
and meat and soup for the dogs out of
the provisions in the house.
While the house was entirely without
heat when the police broke in, there was
no scarcity of fuel.
box beside the kitchen range was
full of coal and there was a bag of coke.
Provisions in the house would have
sufficed for a number of meals. There
was no evidence of want.
The only known relative of the couple
is a brother Of one of them who lives
in Piscataway. Md. They had no chill
dren They have made their home in
the 22d street house for several years