Obituary: Dr. Powell Bradley

Evening Star (Washington, DC)
25 August 1898

THE INJURIES FATAL

Dr. Powell Bradley Dies After Effects of a Fall

ACCIDENT HAPPENS AT HOTEL JOHNSON

The Victim a Member of a Prominent Virginia Family

HIS FRIENDS NOTIFIED

Dr. Powell M. Bradley of Gainesville, Prince William county, Virginia, died at the Emergency Hospital at 4 o'clock this morning from injuries received seven hours earlier by falling into the cellar of the Hotel Johnson, 13th and E streets northwest. Dr. Bradley has been a guest at the hotel since June 30, and was believed to be entirely familiar with the arrangement of the house. Last night about 9:30 o'clock he passed out through the bar, evidently bound for the gentlemen's wash room at the back of it. This wash room is really a passageway supplied with wash basins on one side. Just beyond these is a small door opening inward and leading by a steep ladder-like flight of steps to the cellar where the wines and liquors of the hotel are stored.

Dr. Bradley entered the wash room in question and evidently walked through the door, as a few minutes later he was found lying in the cellar unconscious. He had fallen had first and struck upon a bear box at the foot of the stairs. It was at first believed he was merely stunned, as a slight cut on his chin was the only injury noticeable.

The Ambulance Summoned

Policeman Lyda, however, who heard of the affair, summoned the Emergency Hospital ambulance, and the injured man was conveyed to that institution, where it required only a brief examination to show that his hurts were fatal.

There was a compound fracture of the skull, extending from its base upward for several inches, with radiated fractures extending outward. The brain had been crushed in and a clot formed from the hemorrhage. The operation of trephining was performed, but Dr. Bradley did not recover consciousness, dying at the hour stated.

Dr. Bradley was about thirty years of age, and belonged to the well-known Virginia family of that name, which has prominent and influential branches in nearby Maryland. He was a man of means, and among his possessions was the Meadow farm, a famous Prince William estate.  He was formerly United States customs inspector at Panama. His relatives were notified last night of the accident, and this morning of the death.

Coronor's Certificate

Acting Coroner Glazebrook gave a certificate of accidental death, and the body was removed to Barker's undertaking establishment to await the coming of the dead man's relatives.