Arizona republican., 1915-11-02
THE VERDICT
 OVER DEATH
 0F MIR. WOOD
Coroner's Jury Finds Post master Died as Result of Heart Failure Induced by Shock of Explosion of Lamp in Room.

l That Postmaster C. B. Wood was burned to death at his country home five miles north of the city Sunday
 night. and that his helplessness to
 escape from the flames, spreading
 from an exploding lamp was caused | by heart failure was the verdict of a jury before Acting Coroner Parker yesterday morning. The story 1 brought out was in the main, the same as The Republicans relation of the tragedy.
 The charred body of MT. Wood was not found in the room where the lamp exploded but it was in the ad- jacent room to which he had strug-
 gled and crawled before he was overcome by the heat and smoke. It was also brought out that c. l.. Madison after rescuing his own help less son from an adjacent room be- lieved that MT. Wood had escaped from the building
 After attending the ceremony of laying the cornerstone of Trinity cathedral house on Sunday after noon MT. Wood, accompanied by Mrs Wood drove out to their ranch house where MT. Wood had retained a room which he used as an office and where he kept many personal papers, This was a trip made almost every Sunday afternoon. Arriving at the ranch, Mrs. Wood stopped at the house of a neighbor across the street and her husband entered his office and began an examination of his nor IIo dark that he could not see, when he called for a light. A lamp was filled by MT. Madison who then left the house and started towards the barn. Before he reached it he heard the sounds of the explosion and a cry from Mir. Wood He hurried back to the house and to the room occu- pied by his son.
 Mrs. Wood ran across the street to the burning house and inquired for her husband. MT. Madison said he believed that he had left the build ing. But he could not be found and after a few minutes dread that he had not done so merged into despair when an unshapely mass was seen in one of the burning rooms.
 It was well known that MT Wood suffered from a weak heart and knowledge of that fact led the jury to the verdict that was returned. About a year ago, while secretary of the state fair commission. he col lapsed on the fair grounds, the re- suit of anxiety and overwork and he was taken to his home where for a time his life was despaired of His condition was serious for several days It was also made known that ever since then Mr Wood had been in fear of a recurrence of heart fail ure and his affairs were so arranged that in the event of his sudden re- moval. they would not be attended by complications.
 The only member of the family l present at the inquest was the eight | cen year old son of the dead post master. He left as soon as he had | given his testimony.
 At the Postoffice
 The deepest sorrow was felt by | postal employees over the news of MT. | Woods death. An air of gloom was marked among the workers of the Federal building. who had been in | more or less close touch with the postmaster.
 Postal Inspectors Dutton and Jar 1 wis were in the city yesterday, and | their concern over the tragedy was | most strong. Until a successor quail | fies, the work of the office will be 1 superintended by c. H. Stewart, act 1 ing assistant. The department is | abolshing the office of assistant | postmaster leaving the work in the | hands of an official to be known as ] 'cler< in charge" MT. Stewart has | occupied that position since the re- signation of Assistant Ernest Ander son some months ago.
 Public conjecture about a successor | turned toward Frank Luke, chairman of the board of supervisors, and A. Guy Alsap, cashier of the National l Bank of Arizona, but no official at l tention has yet been paid to this sub ject.