An 88-year-old Civil War veteran died at a Delaware hospital in April 1922 after falling from a third-story window, leaving hospital workers uncertain whether the tragedy had been an accident or something else.
John Achey, formerly of Hockessin, Delaware, was a patient at the New Castle County Hospital in Farnhurst.
According to the newspaper account, he had been suffering from cancer of the face, a condition that had recently caused him considerable pain.
At about 6 o’clock in the morning, an attendant heard a noise coming from Achey’s room. When the attendant entered, the window was open. Looking outside, the worker discovered Achey lying on the ground below.
Hospital employees believed the elderly man may have been standing near the window when he lost his balance and fell, although the original report left open the possibility that he had jumped. Achey was quickly brought back inside and placed in bed while County Physician Briggs was summoned.
Surprisingly, the fall did not appear to have caused extensive visible injuries. Doctors found an apparent injury to one hip, but little else that would immediately explain his rapidly declining condition. Achey died approximately an hour and a half after the fall.
Dr. Briggs believed the shock of the incident itself was responsible for his death.
Veteran Falls To His Death
FARNHURST, Delaware. — John Achey, 88 years, a Civil War veteran, died at the New Castle County Hospital at 7:30 o’clock this morning, about one hour and a half after falling, or jumping, from a 3rd story window of that institution. The body was taken in charge by Deputy Coroner Nichols.
Mr. Achey, who formerly lived at Hockessin, was suffering from a cancer of the face, which has recently caused him much pain. The hospital workers believe that while the aged man was standing at the window he lost his balance and fell to the ground.
Hearing a noise in the room, one of the attendants went in about 6 o’clock to investigate, and finding the window open, looked out, seeing Mr. Achey lying on the ground.
Help was summoned and the injured man brought in, put to bed, and County Physician Briggs summoned, who remained with the patient until he died.
As the only apparent injury from the fall was that to one hip, Dr. Briggs expressed the belief that death was due to the shock.
Source: Evening Journal. Wilmington, Del. April 25, 1922.
