Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1883-01-02
TRAGIC AND sUDDES DEATH
Chier baldwin si tho Highway
DepArun,snt Of phlloo sibhEa
Dies Suddenly I'm . Cis sr store
EXeiiIBg .fceDes.

William Baldwin, Chief Comnls
sioner of Highways of Philsdel phia
and candidate for Reelection 10 that
position, died suddenly yesterday
mornir &. in cigar store, at 81 Soutd
| Sixth street, OF what wax prODosucsd
by n physician heart disease. As thc
election for Chief Commissioner OF
| Highways was expected TO take pace
yes erday morning, many persons we're
attracted TO the vicinity OF the Council
Chambers, and when Mr.. Baldwin =
death bscame known Rrear excitsmenf
prevailed Mr.. Baldwin was IN MS
46th year. After ssrvingas member
of both Select and Common Council (,
he resigned from the latter body In
1875, 10 take III, position OF Chief COM
mirs oner Of Highways, to whicn ne
was elected in 1879, and Reelected
In 1879, for term that expired on
Saturday.
Willie-n B. Smith, President OF Be-
lect Council, visited tue store, ana MS
appearance gave rise to BomeWhat
exciting scene Expressions had been
freely made uae ot IN the ttore to The
effect that Mr.. Baid~in's naath had
ton on ii q part Of what IL known rs
the reform element in Councils. He
has been driven To his death by ms
continual bounding, said Mr.. Shctwell,
and that opinion was echGi by almnst
every one present. The cigar storo was
somewhat crowded when Prosld"nt
Smith arrived, and his manner of fore
lug his way to the door appeared to be
somewhat brusvue.
"Lst me Ia there" he called to Mr..
Ridgeway.
"No, | won't" was the reply.
800 you know who l am, sir!"
shouted Mr.. Smith.
"No, don't, sir; nor do care re-
sponded Mr.. Kiigeway.
81 am VIM. b. Smith, President OF
Select Council, and ] want to get In. "
As Mr.. Smith spoke he forced his way
against the door and pushed IT. partially
open. Mr.. Ridgeway caught him by
the shoulder and pushed him ont again.
81 don't care who you are, said Mr.
RidReWay, wro was now angry. This
is my store, and you DON. come in"
The sharp encounter attracted the
attention of Mr.. Rowan, wlo wGs
bending over Mr.. Bald body.
Looking towards Mr.. Smith, he cried.
sxcitedly
"YOn are one Of the men who
bounded this man to his death. II is
no time or place for such as you here in
the midst OF his sorrowiug friends, 1t
man to force his way In who has been
instrumental " bounding and driving
this man to where he lies now. Get
out of here ! Common decency wOul6
dictate thai you should not come b. re- "
At this Ms. Smith walked away
The sequel 10 this scene GICArreh
afterHard IN Common Council Cham
ber A few min utes eft,r ten o'clock,
as the members we're filing into their
4eats, resident Smith, pale and ex
cited, entered from the Select Chamber.
He strobe up to where Mr.. Rowan was
standing, and, in voice of suppressed
passion, said
"Mr Rowan, | am much ind dehted TO
you for tJat compliment this morn
ing"
Mr.. Rowan turned upon him like a
fia"h OF lightning.
'I"u arc very welcome, Sr :! Worry
welcome ludeed, for meant al said"
''ln tho presence of death your con
duct waa scandalons," said Mr.. Smith.
"DeaLh - echoed Mr.. Rowan,
"Why, sir, you are one Of the men who
houuded that poor fellow to h!s
death. You ace the last man who need
speak of the respect for death"
"Never mind" said MIR. Smith, 81
can tako care Of myself if you can, oil
tbs same. always treated you az q
gentleman, which you have failed to
show yourself"
"In the moment Of excitement was
quite justified in what said to you.
have no reason TO regret IT, replied
Mr.. Rowan.
Mr.. Smith then moved away, and the
scene enced.