Further light on the mystery surrounding the death of Mr. W. J.C. Shoppee at Brondway Mansions on Dec. 31 way thrown at. Monday's Glan, 17) hearing of the inquest before Me, C. H. Haines, Coroner, In TIN. Police Court. Tt was brought out the evidence of a friend of Mr. Shoppee's, Mr. S. J. Toone, that Mr. Shoppe was perfectly sober shortly Before his death. He was a pleusant, cheerful sort of person, always looking forward to the future, and ae far as witness knew had no warties whatever. He had financial troubles. "E cannot see any reason whatever for him taking his own life," stated Mr. 'Toone emphatically.' "He was extremely happy, he was getting his new apartment ready for occupation, and was also making preparations for a holiday."
'A Chinese engineer employed by the Otis Elevator Company" stated in evidence that he was detailed to remove the doors from the elevator for painting. He removed the doors from the second, thirteenth and six teenth floors on December 30, and barriers were placed across the doors as a safety measure. The barriers were procured from the voller room of Broadway Mansions.
'A ladder was placed as a precaution cross the lift door on the thirteenth floor, and a rattan chair on the six teenth floor. "No one instructed me fo put up the rattan chair," witness declared, "I did it of my own accord."" Witness further stated that hho had not been up to the second floor to have another look at the barrier to see If it were properly Friend's Evidence Mr. Toone, who stated that he worked as Mr. Shoppee's assistant in the local branch of Messrs. Parke, Davis & Ca, said that he was. with Mr. Shoppee onthe afternoon December 31, They left the arnee
Mr. Shoppee's. apartment 410, and went Embankment Building. They each drank about two Martin!.cocktalls, and they remained in the apartment for about fifteen. minutes.
Mr. Shoppee asked witness if he had time to drive him to Broadway Mansions, og he wished to see about some fittings In the flat which he was Intending to occupy. there-Witness. put Mr. Shoppee down at the main entrance to the building, ud deceased walked around to the feast entrance. Wilness told Mr. Shoppe that he would sail for him, and told him "not to be too long." He stayed outside the building for about ten minutes.
As Mr. Shoppe did not come out, witness went Intothe building at the east entrance, and ascended 19 the Second floor in the passenger Lift, "On opening the swing doors opposite the freight life where the accident occurred," said Mr. Toone, saw the passage was In darkness. I did not care to proceed, and told the boy to take me down to the bottom floor again. The corridor Was lighted none too well, "Witness SMated that he noticed a dark space opposite the swing doors which conveyed to him the fact that there was a lift without doors there. He eft the building at about 5.05 pin, health Very Good"
Mr. Haines: Why did you not wait for your friend?—He knew me well enough not to walt around for me saw that my car had gone. He would have known that Thad gone, and would have taken a, rick-Shaw home from the other side of the Garden, Bridge. In any case, the Garden Bridge closes at pan.
Questioned by the Coroner, wite ness said that It was very obvious that Mr. Shoppee's nerves. were not upset by the Shanghai hostilities, His general health was very good.
The inquest was adjourned until Jan, 19 at 10:30 a.m,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.