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Story
January 23, 1899
The Times
Washington, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
James Reed, 28, recovering from the grippe at his Northeast D.C. home, fell and broke a window, injuring his hand. A false suicide rumor prompted an ambulance and police probe, which ruled it accidental. (178 chars)
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Full Text
NO ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE.
False Rumors About an Invalid Who Fell Against a Window.
James Reed, 28 years old, living at 600 M Street northeast, met with a painful accident at his home Saturday which gave rise to a rumor that he had attempted suicide. Reed has been a sufferer for some days with the grip and is now convalescing. He is in a very weak condition. When he arose Saturday afternoon he had great difficulty in walking. Reed had been up but a short time when he attempted to reach a window a short distance from where he was sitting. He managed to get within a few feet of it when his strength failed and he fell forward, striking against the glass with his right hand, which had been thrust forward in an effort to save himself.
The force of the contact broke the window and as a result the hand and wrist were badly lacerated. Considerable excitement was caused in the neighborhood because of a rumor that the young man had made an attempt to end his life. Some excitable person sent in a call for the Emergency Hospital ambulance, stating that an attempt at suicide had been made, and gave the location as North Capitol and G Streets. The ambulance arrived, but went back empty.
The police of the Ninth precinct made a thorough investigation and say that the affair was purely an accident; that no attempt had been made at self-destruction.
False Rumors About an Invalid Who Fell Against a Window.
James Reed, 28 years old, living at 600 M Street northeast, met with a painful accident at his home Saturday which gave rise to a rumor that he had attempted suicide. Reed has been a sufferer for some days with the grip and is now convalescing. He is in a very weak condition. When he arose Saturday afternoon he had great difficulty in walking. Reed had been up but a short time when he attempted to reach a window a short distance from where he was sitting. He managed to get within a few feet of it when his strength failed and he fell forward, striking against the glass with his right hand, which had been thrust forward in an effort to save himself.
The force of the contact broke the window and as a result the hand and wrist were badly lacerated. Considerable excitement was caused in the neighborhood because of a rumor that the young man had made an attempt to end his life. Some excitable person sent in a call for the Emergency Hospital ambulance, stating that an attempt at suicide had been made, and gave the location as North Capitol and G Streets. The ambulance arrived, but went back empty.
The police of the Ninth precinct made a thorough investigation and say that the affair was purely an accident; that no attempt had been made at self-destruction.
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
What themes does it cover?
Misfortune
Recovery
What keywords are associated?
False Suicide Rumor
Grippe Recovery
Window Accident
Lacerated Hand
Police Investigation
What entities or persons were involved?
James Reed
Where did it happen?
600 M Street Northeast
Story Details
Key Persons
James Reed
Location
600 M Street Northeast
Event Date
Saturday
Story Details
James Reed, weakened by the grippe, fell while trying to reach a window, breaking it and lacerating his hand. This sparked a false suicide rumor, leading to an ambulance call and police investigation, which confirmed it was an accident.