The Portland daily press., 1890-10-10
HON. LEWIS BARKER.
a Sad Accident the Cause OF His
Sudden Death Yesterday.

BANGOR, October 9.-Hon. Lewis Barker
was struck by runaway team this morning
and so injured that his death ensued early
in the afternoon. Mr.. Barker was standing
with Hon. Levi b. Patten, near Grace
church, when runaway team, the property
of Oliver Littlefeld of Hampden, dashed
down the street. Hearing the team as it ap-
preached Mr.. Patten jumped toward the
church, but MIR. Barker stepped back quick
ly towards the street, thinking he could
avoid the runaway. The next moment the
front wheel OF the heavy farm wagon caught
Mr.. Barker and hurled him against hitch
Ing post standing on the corner with fright
ful effect The force of the blow was such
that Mr.. Barker's left leg was terribly
crushed above the ankle while a deep cut
laid open the flesh to the bone few inches
below the knee. In an instant the awful
occurrence was over and Mr.. Barker fell
bleeding, but wholly conscious to the ground
In front of Mr. Patten.
Mr.. Barker was Immediately removed to
his house. He remained conscious during
the examination made by the physicians and
calmly answered their questions. When he
inquired II it was possible to save his leg, he
was told that an amputation would have to
be made at the knee. "Well." replied Mr..
Barker, 81 shall still have one left anyhow"
When the decision in favor of an operation
was finally made, and Mr.. Barker had re-
ferred to it, as mentioned above, Mr.. Vose
told the doctors to tell Mr.. Barker the worst
to conceal nothing, for he had nerve
enough not to be affected by whatever was
told him. YES" said Mr.. Barker himself,
to know about them, and there is no need of
the slightest concealment. can stand any
thing that you have to tell me-"
He was accordingly told that he had little
chance OF life, When all was over he imme-
diately rallied and was lifted upon the bed.
He then seemed to brighten considerably
aud, looking down, he caught sight of what
was left of his leg. With smile he re-
marked:
''Only little stump left of a good leg.
Well, it is little hard at my age to 90
through life with that, but it is much better
than nothing"
The rally was only temporary, however,
and at half-past one Mr.. Barker, after speak
ing to those around him Of his approaching
end, passed away
= Lewis Barker was born in Exeter, Me-,
February Is, 1918, the fourth son of Nathan
lei and Sarah Pease Barker. Mr.. Barker re-
ceived his education in the district schools
and this was supplemented by a brief course
at the Foxcroft Academy. at the age of 16
years he became teacher and taught seven
years. BE began the study of law in 1888
with ex- U. ). Minister to Peru, Jewett, and
later on under Gov. Kent.
He was admitted to the bar in 1S41, and
commenced the practice of law in Stetson.
Up to 1861 he was Democrat, but on the
breaking out of the war he became Repub-
lican. In 1864, in the Presidential campaign
he stumped New York state with extraordi-
nary effectiveness The same year he was
sent to the state legislature, and to the SEN
ate in 1856. He was sent again to the
House in 1867, and was elected Speaker. In
1870 he again served in the House, holding
important positions throughout his various
terms of service. In 1880 he was chosen a
member of the Governors Council.
He was delegate to she National Repub-
lican Convention of 1868 which nominated
Grant and for the next four years was the
Maine member of the national committee
In 1880 he was delegate to the convention
which selected Garfield as the standard
bearer of the party and was member of the
committee on resolutions which drafted the
Republican platform. He married Elizabeth
the third daughter of Col. Frarcis Hill of
Exeter, in 1876 who bore him two children,
the eldest, girl named Evvie, who died in
1872 and Lewis A. Barker whose death took
place last year.