The Evening Star (Washington, D.C.) March 10, 1923 page 2
KEEPS KEEN WATCH AT MOMUMENT TOP
Guard Instructed to Prevent Repetition of Fatal Leap by Student.
ACCIDENT, SAYS FAMILY
Verdict of Suicide Causes Protest—Funeral to Be Held Monday.
Extra precautionary measures are being taken by the guard on duty in the top of the Washington Monument to prevent a repetition of the fatality yesterday afternoon, when Albert Birney Seip of 1694 Lanier place northwest committed suicide, as decided by a coroner’s jury, by leaping from the south window.
Lieut. Col., C.O. Sherrill, officer in charge of the public buildings and grounds, said today that the guard on duty in the top of the great shaft had been instructed to watch all visitors carefully in view of the effect Seip’s death leap will have on the public mind. He pointed out that heretofore the guard has devoted his time principally to keeping order and directing the loading and unloading of the elevator.
May Bar Windows
Col. Sherrill does not look with favor upon the suggestion that bars be placed in the Monument windows holding the belief that they would materially mar the excellent view of the city now obtained from the top. “However, if it is found necessary to take this step,” said Col. Sherrill, “we will not hesitate.”
Coroner J. Ramsay Nevitt last night issued a certificate of suicide in the death of Seip. Although information reaching the authorities was to the effect that the man had been a victim of extreme nervous troubles, having undergone treatment in sanitariums for this ailment which followed intensive study at Cornell University. Coroner Nevitt is reported to have taken the stand that the height of the window from the floor of the uppermost platform and the width of the opening of the window from which the plunge was made precluded any possibility of purely, accidental death. Even taking into consideration the nervous condition of the victim, the certificate of suicide was issued because of the belief that to get through an opening eighteen inches in height and four feet above the level of the floor a voluntary act was necessary.
At the home of Seip today the positive conviction was expressed that the death was not the result of suicide, but an accident. It was suggested that Seip, being intensely interested in construction, had leaned from the Monument window to study points in the architecture, losing his balance and falling.
According to the sister-in-law of the man’s mother, who is at the home attending to Mrs. Seip, who is suffering from the effects of the shock, Seip was in the best of spirits Thursday. He had made plans for the following day, she said.
Funeral Service Monday
Funeral services will be held at the Lanier place residence Monday morning at 10 o’clock. Burial will be in Oak Hill cemetery.
Seip, who was twenty-five years old, was the grandson of Fen. Birney, Union soldier and former minister to France, and is survived by his mother and six half brothers and sisters. An uncle, A.A. Birney, prominent attorney here, died a few years ago. Another uncle, Dr. F. Birney, is a prominent Philadelphia physician.
Before entering Cornell, Seip attended the District public schools and also was a student at McKinley Technical High School. Records at police headquarters show that he was at the Washington Asylum Hospital twice—once in 1916 and again in 1918-for observation of his mental condition. His mother, according to the authorities, had him transferred from there to a Philadelphia sanatorium. His presence at the home of his mother was during a short visit previous to his return to the sanatorium.
Contributor: Loretta Castaldi (47472615) • [email protected]
View Memorial
KEEPS KEEN WATCH AT MOMUMENT TOP
Guard Instructed to Prevent Repetition of Fatal Leap by Student.
ACCIDENT, SAYS FAMILY
Verdict of Suicide Causes Protest—Funeral to Be Held Monday.
Extra precautionary measures are being taken by the guard on duty in the top of the Washington Monument to prevent a repetition of the fatality yesterday afternoon, when Albert Birney Seip of 1694 Lanier place northwest committed suicide, as decided by a coroner’s jury, by leaping from the south window.
Lieut. Col., C.O. Sherrill, officer in charge of the public buildings and grounds, said today that the guard on duty in the top of the great shaft had been instructed to watch all visitors carefully in view of the effect Seip’s death leap will have on the public mind. He pointed out that heretofore the guard has devoted his time principally to keeping order and directing the loading and unloading of the elevator.
May Bar Windows
Col. Sherrill does not look with favor upon the suggestion that bars be placed in the Monument windows holding the belief that they would materially mar the excellent view of the city now obtained from the top. “However, if it is found necessary to take this step,” said Col. Sherrill, “we will not hesitate.”
Coroner J. Ramsay Nevitt last night issued a certificate of suicide in the death of Seip. Although information reaching the authorities was to the effect that the man had been a victim of extreme nervous troubles, having undergone treatment in sanitariums for this ailment which followed intensive study at Cornell University. Coroner Nevitt is reported to have taken the stand that the height of the window from the floor of the uppermost platform and the width of the opening of the window from which the plunge was made precluded any possibility of purely, accidental death. Even taking into consideration the nervous condition of the victim, the certificate of suicide was issued because of the belief that to get through an opening eighteen inches in height and four feet above the level of the floor a voluntary act was necessary.
At the home of Seip today the positive conviction was expressed that the death was not the result of suicide, but an accident. It was suggested that Seip, being intensely interested in construction, had leaned from the Monument window to study points in the architecture, losing his balance and falling.
According to the sister-in-law of the man’s mother, who is at the home attending to Mrs. Seip, who is suffering from the effects of the shock, Seip was in the best of spirits Thursday. He had made plans for the following day, she said.
Funeral Service Monday
Funeral services will be held at the Lanier place residence Monday morning at 10 o’clock. Burial will be in Oak Hill cemetery.
Seip, who was twenty-five years old, was the grandson of Fen. Birney, Union soldier and former minister to France, and is survived by his mother and six half brothers and sisters. An uncle, A.A. Birney, prominent attorney here, died a few years ago. Another uncle, Dr. F. Birney, is a prominent Philadelphia physician.
Before entering Cornell, Seip attended the District public schools and also was a student at McKinley Technical High School. Records at police headquarters show that he was at the Washington Asylum Hospital twice—once in 1916 and again in 1918-for observation of his mental condition. His mother, according to the authorities, had him transferred from there to a Philadelphia sanatorium. His presence at the home of his mother was during a short visit previous to his return to the sanatorium.
Contributor: Loretta Castaldi (47472615) • [email protected]
View Memorial
The Evening Star (Washington, D.C.) March 10, 1923 page 2
KEEPS KEEN WATCH AT MOMUMENT TOP
Guard Instructed to Prevent Repetition of Fatal Leap by Student.
ACCIDENT, SAYS FAMILY
Verdict of Suicide Causes Protest—Funeral to Be Held Monday.
Extra precautionary measures are being taken by the guard on duty in the top of the Washington Monument to prevent a repetition of the fatality yesterday afternoon, when Albert Birney Seip of 1694 Lanier place northwest committed suicide, as decided by a coroner’s jury, by leaping from the south window.
Lieut. Col., C.O. Sherrill, officer in charge of the public buildings and grounds, said today that the guard on duty in the top of the great shaft had been instructed to watch all visitors carefully in view of the effect Seip’s death leap will have on the public mind. He pointed out that heretofore the guard has devoted his time principally to keeping order and directing the loading and unloading of the elevator.
May Bar Windows
Col. Sherrill does not look with favor upon the suggestion that bars be placed in the Monument windows holding the belief that they would materially mar the excellent view of the city now obtained from the top. “However, if it is found necessary to take this step,” said Col. Sherrill, “we will not hesitate.”
Coroner J. Ramsay Nevitt last night issued a certificate of suicide in the death of Seip. Although information reaching the authorities was to the effect that the man had been a victim of extreme nervous troubles, having undergone treatment in sanitariums for this ailment which followed intensive study at Cornell University. Coroner Nevitt is reported to have taken the stand that the height of the window from the floor of the uppermost platform and the width of the opening of the window from which the plunge was made precluded any possibility of purely, accidental death. Even taking into consideration the nervous condition of the victim, the certificate of suicide was issued because of the belief that to get through an opening eighteen inches in height and four feet above the level of the floor a voluntary act was necessary.
At the home of Seip today the positive conviction was expressed that the death was not the result of suicide, but an accident. It was suggested that Seip, being intensely interested in construction, had leaned from the Monument window to study points in the architecture, losing his balance and falling.
According to the sister-in-law of the man’s mother, who is at the home attending to Mrs. Seip, who is suffering from the effects of the shock, Seip was in the best of spirits Thursday. He had made plans for the following day, she said.
Funeral Service Monday
Funeral services will be held at the Lanier place residence Monday morning at 10 o’clock. Burial will be in Oak Hill cemetery.
Seip, who was twenty-five years old, was the grandson of Fen. Birney, Union soldier and former minister to France, and is survived by his mother and six half brothers and sisters. An uncle, A.A. Birney, prominent attorney here, died a few years ago. Another uncle, Dr. F. Birney, is a prominent Philadelphia physician.
Before entering Cornell, Seip attended the District public schools and also was a student at McKinley Technical High School. Records at police headquarters show that he was at the Washington Asylum Hospital twice—once in 1916 and again in 1918-for observation of his mental condition. His mother, according to the authorities, had him transferred from there to a Philadelphia sanatorium. His presence at the home of his mother was during a short visit previous to his return to the sanatorium.
Contributor: Loretta Castaldi (47472615) • [email protected]
View Memorial
KEEPS KEEN WATCH AT MOMUMENT TOP
Guard Instructed to Prevent Repetition of Fatal Leap by Student.
ACCIDENT, SAYS FAMILY
Verdict of Suicide Causes Protest—Funeral to Be Held Monday.
Extra precautionary measures are being taken by the guard on duty in the top of the Washington Monument to prevent a repetition of the fatality yesterday afternoon, when Albert Birney Seip of 1694 Lanier place northwest committed suicide, as decided by a coroner’s jury, by leaping from the south window.
Lieut. Col., C.O. Sherrill, officer in charge of the public buildings and grounds, said today that the guard on duty in the top of the great shaft had been instructed to watch all visitors carefully in view of the effect Seip’s death leap will have on the public mind. He pointed out that heretofore the guard has devoted his time principally to keeping order and directing the loading and unloading of the elevator.
May Bar Windows
Col. Sherrill does not look with favor upon the suggestion that bars be placed in the Monument windows holding the belief that they would materially mar the excellent view of the city now obtained from the top. “However, if it is found necessary to take this step,” said Col. Sherrill, “we will not hesitate.”
Coroner J. Ramsay Nevitt last night issued a certificate of suicide in the death of Seip. Although information reaching the authorities was to the effect that the man had been a victim of extreme nervous troubles, having undergone treatment in sanitariums for this ailment which followed intensive study at Cornell University. Coroner Nevitt is reported to have taken the stand that the height of the window from the floor of the uppermost platform and the width of the opening of the window from which the plunge was made precluded any possibility of purely, accidental death. Even taking into consideration the nervous condition of the victim, the certificate of suicide was issued because of the belief that to get through an opening eighteen inches in height and four feet above the level of the floor a voluntary act was necessary.
At the home of Seip today the positive conviction was expressed that the death was not the result of suicide, but an accident. It was suggested that Seip, being intensely interested in construction, had leaned from the Monument window to study points in the architecture, losing his balance and falling.
According to the sister-in-law of the man’s mother, who is at the home attending to Mrs. Seip, who is suffering from the effects of the shock, Seip was in the best of spirits Thursday. He had made plans for the following day, she said.
Funeral Service Monday
Funeral services will be held at the Lanier place residence Monday morning at 10 o’clock. Burial will be in Oak Hill cemetery.
Seip, who was twenty-five years old, was the grandson of Fen. Birney, Union soldier and former minister to France, and is survived by his mother and six half brothers and sisters. An uncle, A.A. Birney, prominent attorney here, died a few years ago. Another uncle, Dr. F. Birney, is a prominent Philadelphia physician.
Before entering Cornell, Seip attended the District public schools and also was a student at McKinley Technical High School. Records at police headquarters show that he was at the Washington Asylum Hospital twice—once in 1916 and again in 1918-for observation of his mental condition. His mother, according to the authorities, had him transferred from there to a Philadelphia sanatorium. His presence at the home of his mother was during a short visit previous to his return to the sanatorium.
Contributor: Loretta Castaldi (47472615) • [email protected]
View Memorial
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