I was browsing old issues of the Morning Olympian and ran across this article from Apr. 22, 1925, p. 1 and 6. You would think an incident like this would remain alive in the Capital Campus folklore. Even though I have been employed on that campus in the past, the death of Emmett Godat was news to me. Here's the article:

EIGHTY FOOT FALL FATAL TO MAN
Emmett R. Godat drops down elevator shaft to his death; Coroner says end came instantly

Emmett R. Godat, 29, Tumwater, was killed Monday, it was discovered yesterday morning, when he fell down an 80 foot elevator shaft in the new capitol building. His body was discovered in a pool of water in the bottom of the shaft as the result of a hunt instituted when his father, D.M. Godat, reported that the young man had not been home Monday night.

Godat was missed by workers Monday afternoon, but no one suspected that a tragedy had occurred. He had started to work shortly after noon Monday and the fatal fall took place at about 3:50 p.m., it is believed as a watch in the dead man's pocket had stopped at that hour.

At the time the accident had occurred Godat was at work on an upper floor of the new building. He is believed to have stepped onto one of the narrow concrete ledges in the elevator shaft on either the fourth or fifth floors and fallen to the pit below when he lost his balance. The elevator shafts are barred with planks on all the floors but there are openings between the boards large enough for a man to crawl through.

Deputy Coroner Arlie Mills investigated the accident Tuesday morning and reported that death was instantaneous and due to accidental causes. The body was removed to the Mills Undertaking parlors where it remains pending funeral arrangements.

The death is the first serious accident that has occurred during the construction of the capitol building, said C.C. Hastie, representative of the contracting company. "Godat had only been employed that afternoon so his absence when the shift went off duty was not so noticeable."

D.M. Godat reported at the construction office Tuesday morning that his son had not returned home the previous night. When his car was found parked near the new building a search was started but no trace of the missing man was found.

After the father had reported to the police another search took place and the mangled body was discovered lying in a pool of water at the bottom of the elevator shaft. The Coroner's investigation showed that the skull was fractured and both arms broken.

The deceased is survived by his widow, young daughter, and father all of Tumwater. Seven brothers and sisters, all residents of Thurston County who survive him include: Mrs. Zoya Class, Mrs. Emma Cuyler, Mrs. Oval Ames, Mrs. Opal Lavery, Miss Edan Godat, Norman H., and Edward B. Godat.

Godat served in the Marine Corps during the World war and saw considerable foreign service. He was honorably discharged in 1919 with a fine record to his credit. He has been a resident of Tumwater for 20 years.