An Esteemed Friend Killed by Fall.

On Saturday last Col. and Mrs. Pratt were greatly shocked to learn of the accidental death of their loved friend, J. Wells Champney, the Artist. The particulars of the terrible affair are given as follows in the New York Times:

James Wells Champney, the Artist, was killed yesterday morning by falling down an elevator shaft at 5 Thirty-first Street. Mr. Champney left his home and studio, 96 Fifth Avenue, shortly after 11 o'clock yesterday morning saying that he was going to the camera Club to develop two plates and that he would be home for luncheon. He went directly to the building, where the club is situated on the eights floor. He was apparently in a hurry, and disregarded the advice of James Kerr, the elevator boy, to wait for the next trip, as he was carrying a table on top of the elevator for one of the new tenants.

Mr. Champney said that the table would not bother him, and entered the car. The table, a large walnut piece of furniture, too large to be carried other than on top of the car, was held in position by an expressman. In some manner it slipped between the fourth and fifth floors. One of the legs struck the running balance weights, jamming and stopping the car. The wire ropes slackened and Mr. Champney found himself a prisoner. He waited for a minute and then opened the elevator door. Against the protests of the elevator boy, he attempted to swing himself to the floor below. He lost his hold on the car floor and fell down the shaft. His skull was crushed and his limbs broken.

An ambulance was summoned from the New York hospital. Mr. Champney died as the surgeons reached him. The doctor said that he had not suffered, his injuries being such that death was practically instantaneous.

Mr. and Mrs. Champney had their passage booked for Europe early in July. It being their intention to spend the late Summer and early winter in Russia. Mrs. Champney was notified by the police of her bereavement, and showed great fortitude after learning of her husband.

"We were very happy together, she said. He was one of the most beautiful characters in the world and was always lovable. His life was just like his work."

Mrs. Champney stood in the studio looking at the paintings her husband had been working on just before he left on his fatal journey. There was a large portrait of Mr. Fargo. Beside it was a pastel of a girl.

"He was hurrying to finish these," said Mrs. Champney, "that we might get away for our trip abroad."

Mr. Champney leaves a son, F.E. Champney, an architect of Washington, and a daughter, Mrs. John Humphrey, the wife of an architect in New York. She is well known in artistic circles as "Marie Champney," a painter of miniatures, Mr. Champney's widow has a wide acquaintance through her literary works. Her maiden name was Lizzie Williams, and she was born in Ohio.

James Wells Champney was born in Boston in July 1843. At an early age he started as a wood engraver. In the Civil War he served with the Forty-Fifth Massachusetts Volunteers. In 1866 he went to Paris, where he studied under Edouard Frere. After further studies at the academy in Antwerp he returned to the United States and opened a studio in Boston. During the Carlist War he made many sketches in Spain. In 1882 he was elected an associate member of the National Academy. Among his earlier works which gained for him a leading position in the art work were "Which is Umpire?", "Sear Leaf", "Not So Ugly As He Looks", "Your Good Health", "Where The Two Paths Meet", "Song Without Words", and many other favorites.

Three types of his American girl are now on exhibition at Knoedler's Art Gallery, 21 Fifth Avenue. In his earlier work Mr. Champney signed his pictures "Champ", but later gave his full name. He became a leader of the pastel school, it is said by accident. A pupil asked him so many questions about pastel that he experimented and found a success so surprising that he largely confined his efforts to pastels.

Mr. Champney was one of the charter members of the National Arts Club, and was elected Governor on April 8. Two weeks ago he delivered a lecture at the club on "Pastels". Many who have not seen him sine will most readily recall his skill as show in two illustrations he made with amazing rapidity. He changed a cloud into an ideal head of a girl, outlined and completed a landscape with a few touches, and thoroughly delighted his company with what he call his "stunts".

Mr. Champney was a member of the Century Club, Player's Club, Twilight Club, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the American Fine Arts Society.

Kerr, the elevator boy, who lives at 415 West Seventh Street, was arrested last night by order of Coroner Jackson and taken to the West Thirtieth Street Police Station, where he was held for examination.

Source: The Red Man and Helper Newspaper, Carlisle (PA) Industrial School, Friday 8 May 1903, Vol. XVIII, No. 41. (18-41).