Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1890-10-16
Terrible News from Bangor.

a Runaway Horse knocked Down Hon.
Lewis Barker, Crushing his Leg ser-
ously that Amputatiom was1mmediateIy
Ke.orted to. The Patient Dies few
Hours Later.
At Bangor Hon Lewis Baker met with
q terrible accident Thursday morning. He
and Hon. Levi b. Pattcn were standing on
the corner Of Union and Clinton streets,
when runaway horse going ut full
speed, struck Mr.. Barker who had not
seen bis approach, with great force,
knocking him against a stone post crush
Ing his leg in "A fearful manner lie was
at once taken 10 his home and physicians
summoned. Mr.. Barker bore up wonder
fully and retained his self possession In a
remarkable degree. and consulted with the
surgeon in regard to what should be done.
When he found that his leg must be ampu-
tated and was informed by the surgeons
that the chances of coming out from the
etherizaton were against him, he had his
business partner, Hon Thomas W. Nose,
called in and also his relative, Hon. Thos.
II. Wentworth, of Bradford, and, his will
having already been made, he spoke to
them with perfect GOODNESS of other bust
Barker being apparently the most self
possessed of all IN the house. When he
had arranged his business affairs he coolly
turned TO the doctors and told them that
he was ready. The accident occurred
shortly before nine O'Clock and Al half past
nine the operation was performed by DIR.
c. ID. Edmund> assisted BY Drs. Simmons
and Hanson, the leg being cut OF at the
knee Joint, the patient being under the in
fluence of ether After the operation was
over anu the wound dressed. conscious
ness having returned, MI. Barker talked
of the stump only being left of good
leg. and said that that was much better
than nothing. SO strong was he that he
received several friends in his room,
thanked them for calling and conver>ed
with them upon the chances of his recov-
cry. Afterwards his pulse began TO di-
minish and he seemed passing into a state
of collapse. " hen told that bis end was
rapidly approaching, he received the in
formation calmly and bade good bye To
the various members of his family who
were around him. About half past one he
seemed to fall into q quiet slumber and al
quarter before two only slight gasp indl-
Gated that his spirit had passed into the
silent land"
Lewis Barker was born in Exeter. Me. q,
Feb. Is, ISIS, the fourth son OF Nathaniel
and Sarah Pcase Barker. MIR Barker re-
Cciyed his education in the district schools
and this was supplemented by brief
course at the Foxcroft Academy. AT the
aye OF is wears he became a school teacher
and taught seven years. He began the
study Of law in ls&s with ext. ). Minis
ter TO Peru Jewett. and later on under
Governor Kent.
He was admitted to the bar in l>4l, and
commenced the practice of law in Stetson
Up to 1851 he was a Democrat but on the
breaking out of the war he became Re
publican. In 1864, III the Presidential
campaign, he stumped New York State
with extraordinary effectiveness. The
same wear he was sent to the State Legs
lature, and to the Senate in ls65-66. He
was sent again 10 the House in 1867. and
was elected Speaker. In 1870 he again
served IN the House, holding important
positions throughout hi> various terms Of
service. In $50 he was chosen member
of the Governors Council.
He WAS Il delegate t. the National Re
publican Convention Of lsGA which n0mi-
mated Grant and for the next -four years
was the Maine member OF the national
committee. In ls>O he was a delegate 10
the convention which nominated James \.
Garfield A. the standard bearer Of the party
and was a member OF the committee on
resolutions which drafted the Republican
platform He married Elizabeth, the third
daughter Of Col Francis Hill, of Exeter,
IN 1876, who bore him two children the
eldest a girl named Evvie. who died in
!-12, and Lewis \. Barker. whose death
took place last winter.