Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-12-08
TIE LATE DIR. WIN. j. b. BAIRD.
The Remains Expected @OrrOw-The g
Details of His Illness.
Opera Houss-Alba Haywood.

The Remains Expected To- AorrOw-The
Details of His Illness
From the columns OF the Post IntGlu-
gencer, Of Seattle, Washington, we take
the following account OF the last illness
and death of the late DR.. W. j. B.
Baird
Little Doctor dead Sudden and untime
" end of lie full of prOmise-Whil com
ing here for aid DR.. W. j. b. Baird suffer
ing from relapse of mountain fever-Dles
at Cie-EIum-A lova0le character.
"'"Little Doctor Baird has just died
here This news was flashed over the
wires from Cle-Elum at 9 o'clock yester-
day morning. 1t came without warning
and sent a wave of SORROW over the wide
circle in this city in which the little doc
tor was known and loved. No particulars
were given in the dispatch, and it was not
until later in the day that il was learned
that two days ago he had sui
fered a relapse from an attack OF
mountain fever that had troubled him
about q month previous, at Peshantin,
where he had recently located as resident
physician of the Blewett Gold Mining
Company, and that he was being brought
TO Seattle for medical aid when death
q
OF his Journey The sad intelligence car
ried poi gnant grief into many treside
circle, as il was enjoying the genial 5enif-
Cence of the day, for the little doctor was
widely known, and was bound up in the
affections of ali who had been thrown in
contact with him.
OR William Jordan Bates Bard came
to Seattle in June, 1892, from Wheeling,
W. Va, in which city he was born twenty
three years ago last January. His father,
now deceased, was a leading physician,
and a man of high standing. One Of his
brothers adopted medicine as a profess
sion. One other brother, three sisters and
her mother completed the family, which is
one OF the first in Wheeling DR.. Baird
was given excellent educational advan-
tages, having taking a three years course
at the University of Pennsylvania medical
school, from which he graduated with
honors While at school he formed a close
attachment for JOAN Billings, classmate,
who is q brOther-in-law OF William II.
Wilson, Secretary to the Commandant at
the Port Orchard naval station, who was
then living in this city, and he then decided
70 come here after securing his degree. He
had no personal acquaintance here, but
brought letters Of introduction 10 number
of leading citizens from John Wanamaker
anu Quiet IkOullNCul uGAl. anu NOAANEOI
chums. From almost the day Of his arrival
he was a general favorite. He made ac-
Quaintauces with astonishing rapidity, and
held them by his genalty Of manner and
unfailing courtesy. He stepped into good
practice as though place had been pre-
pared for MIN, and before he had been here
half a year was recognized as one of the
rising practitioners Of the city Being
small Of stature, frail in constitution,
and boyish in appearance, as indicated by
the title of little Doctor by which he
was generally known, he had heavy odds
against him; but ne overcame them Oy his
abilities as physician, coupled with the
confidence he inspired in those whom he
met.
DIR. +. II. Coe, who took great inter-
est in his progress, was deeply touched
when he heard the sad news yesterday,
and said: DR.. Baird was exceedingly
bright and one of the best assistants have
ever seen in cases requiring rare skill
often wondered where the young man had
picked up all he knew; but be knew it all
so well that 1 was assured he mad been
and still was an earnest student He was
a good surgeon, and that means good
deal coming from a member of the probes
sion All that he lacked was stature. a
beard and little more age, to give him
the high place in his chosen profession
that his Talents deserved
DIR Baird's chief characteristic was
his uufailing good humor. He was the
life Of every social circle he entered. He
was not only capital mimic, but ne pos
sessed q vein OF original humOr from which
he could produce bon mOts upon call He
knew every popular song and could sing ii
well, aud lust as the man who had sung il
into fame had rendered it. Those who at
tended the minstrel shows OF the Seattle
Athletic Club viii remember the great hit
made by the little doctor as end man. At
social affairs this talent was often called
into requisitiOn for the entertainment OF
those present. His social standing was
due not only to those qualities and his
reedlng but also TO the fact that ne was
always cheerful and uniformly courteous
aud affable. He was popular with men
and women alike-a rare thing in a man.
He was a member Of the Rainier Club anu
the Athletic Club, and played quarter back
with the first eleven Of the latter Organiza-
tiOn last season.
ABOUT two months ago DR.. Baird &C
cepted the position OF resident physician
of Blewett Gold Mining Company at
Peshastiu. There were numerous acct
dents at the mine and his skill in surgery
was often required Three weeks after
his arrival there he suffered q serious at
tack OF mountain fever. and DR.. SUarpiesS,
who went from this city to attend him,
upon hs return said he was afraid the
little Doctors constitution was seriously
impaired During this illness miner
had his shoulder fractured, and as Their,
was no other physician ia camp he waS
taken TO Dr. Baird, who, well propped ND
in bed, reduced the fracture, faint |
ing three times before the opera
ton was completed. This and his
other instalh bees Of pluck and his good