DIES IN STATION
R. A. HOWARD HAD GONE TO
INTERCE FOR A BOY.
ATTACK OF HEART DISEASE
EMPLOYEE OF LUMBER COMPANY
SEEMED IN GOOD HEALTH.
Had Been Engaged in Work for Merrill
for Years and Was a Prominent
Worker in the Trinity
Episcopal Church --
An Autopsy Today
"Get a doctor quick," suddenly exclaimed R. A. Howard, 3118 Tracy avenue, last night to Sergeant Robert James in No. 9 police station, Thirty-seventh street and Woodland avenue, with whom he had been talking. As the man spoke, he reeled and started to fall, grasping a desk in front of him. A police officer ran and assisted him to a nearby bench. Two other police officers started out to find a physician, and presently returned, one accompanied by Dr. S. P. Reese, 3801 Woodland avenue, and the other with Dr. H. D. Hamilton, 3522 Woodland avenue.
Withing five minutes, however, after the physicians arrived Mr. Howard died. He had suffered an attack of heart disease.
Mr. Howard had gone to the police station to inquire into the case of Earl Day, a youth who lives across the street from the Howard home, and who had been taken to the police station by an officer fro placing torpedoes on the car tracks. The purpose in taking the boy to the station was to allow Sergeant James to give him a lecture for prematurely celebrating the Fourth, and Mr. Howard, believing that a charge would be placed against the youth, went to go his bonds.
Sergeant James had just told Mr. Howard that the boy would not be held, but would be "scared up a bit," and Mr. Howard seemed then to take the matter as a joke, and he and the officer were laughing over the affair and discussing the pranks of the boys in the neighborhood.
Mr. Howard was 55 years old. He was married but had no children. He supposedly enjoyed normal health. He worked yesterday and according to Mr. Merrill, his employer, was apparently well and in the best of spirits. He left work at 6 o'clock yesterday evening, going directly to his home.
Mr. Howard had been in the employ of the Merrill Lumber Company for more than twenty-five years, and was considered one of the best in the company's employ, having attained the position as Mr. Merrill's right hand man. He came here from Michigan just before entering the employ of Mr. Merrill, and was married about eighteen years ago.
Mr. Howard was a member of Trinity Episcopal church, Tenth street and Tracy avenue, where for several years he had been a vestryman.
Dr. O. H. Parker, deputy coroner, viewed the body and had it removed to Newcomer's undertaking establishment. An autopsy will be held today.
