James C. Wynkoop, who was employed by F. A. Tschiffely, the druggist, at 475 Pennsylvania avenue northwest, died at his home in Farmwell, Va., on Saturday, and was buried yesterday. The doctors who attended Wynkoop differed as to the nature of his illness, and his relatives are mystified, the more so because some of the symptoms pointed to violence as the possible cause of death.
    Wynkoop, who was about twenty-five years of age, was taken ill in this city a week ago last Monday. A physician whose name has not been ascertained was called in and diagnosed the case as typhoid fever. The young man's family were informed of his illness, and his father came to the city and removed him to Farmwell. Two local physicians then took charge of the case, one of whom said it was typhoid fever, to which diagnosis the other positively disagreed. Wynkoop was delirious, and in his ravings complained of agonizing pains in the side, saying he had been hurt. The day before he died he had a severe hemorrhage, which hastened the end. This seemed to confirm the opinion of some that he was suffering from an internal injury. There were no external marks of violence, however, and one of the doctors maintained that the hemorrhage was a symptom of typhoid fever, and was consequent upon the patient's large size, he weighing about 250 pounds.
    Rev. Mr. Skellinger, pastor of the Sixth Presbyterian Church, of this city, who was called to Farmwell to officiate at the funeral, found young Wynkoop's family much concerned as to the real cause of death. The only theory, however, they could offer was that the young man had been kicked by a horse which he was in the habit of driving in the course of his work.
    Inquiry of a son of Mr. Tschiffely and others employed in the store with Wynkoop failed to throw any light on the matter, all agreeing that Wynkoop had an attack of typhoid. They had never heard of him meeting with any injury. The horse he drove ran away some time since, and on several occasions had fallen down in the street while being driven by Wynkoop, but the young man, it is claimed, escaped unhurt. He had been in Tschiffely's employ nine years, and stood high in the regard of his employer. He was a member of the Sixth Presbyterian Church and of the Christian Endeavor Society connected therewith.

Source:

Unknown, "The Doctors Differ, The Death of James C. Wynkoop Regarded by Some as Mysterious," The Washington Post, Washington, D.C., Wednesday, 11 November 1896, p. 3.