The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-01-17
A Fatal Fall of Slate.
Samuel Walker and Ezra Bser
Killed and Wilson Walker
Loses an Arm in
Lime Quarry.

Friday morning Samuel and Wilson
Walker, brothers, aud Ezra Bser. their
brother-in- law, went into lime quarry on
the formers farm, about two miles east Of
Lisiie station, for the purpose Of getting
out a lot OF stone. About 10 O'Clock they
discharged blast. the conclusion Of which
dislodged one Of the prop. supporting the
roof-twelve feet above the floor Of the
mine. After examining the roof the men
concluded that il was unsafe and they were
engaged at replacing the prop when great
mass Of slae came crashing down upon
them, embedding Samuel Walker and Ezra
Baer under its heavy weight. Wilson Walk
er was also caught by the falling slate, bnt
he managed to extricate himself. and with
his right arm crushed and bleeding, made
his way 10 the mouth of the mine. Here he
found several men at work and told them OF
the accident tha: had just happened, aud
bid them hurry to the rescue of his COM
panions, saying that be was able to take
care OF himself Then be went to the home
of his brother Samuel, only a few rods dis
tant, and informed the wives of the unfor-
tunate men of what had occurred.
The men at the mouth Of the mine sum
moned assistance, and in few minutes ten
men had gathered at the scene of the aeci-
dent. Walker and Baer were found held
fast by piece OF slate four or iTe feet wide,
eight feet long and ten inches thick, weigh
ing probably five tons. Baer was lying
across the steel car track with his head and
feet exposed. Walker was held fast by The
right leg. The united strength Of the
rescners was no. sufficient to lift the slate
from the bodies Of the suffering men, al
though they strained every nerve aud mus
Gle 10 do 50. The unfortunstes begged pite-
ously to be released, bat Il was not until sf-
ter the block OF slate had been drilled and
broken that their rescue was accomplished.
Poor BaeT's hips and stomach were ground
to a pulp and Walkers leg vas mangled
mass. The latter's skull was also fractured
and it IS believed that be suffered internal
injuries. Both men were carried TO Walk
ers house, where the terror-stricken women
and children were impatiently awaiting
their arrival. Il was now almost u O'Clock
and messenger was dispatched TO Som eISst
for medical assistance, but before the Physi-
clans arrived both men expired. Walker
died a few minutes after l O'Clock, and
few minutes later B8er b-esthed his last.
Both men were conscious aad coEversed
with the persons about them up until the
moment of dissolution.
When hrs. I.ouiher and Shaffer arrived
they found that Wilson Walker required
immediate attention. A sharp piece Of slate
had pierced bis arm, seveling all the arteries
and shattering the bone. Il was necessary
to amputate the arm near the shoulder.
Wilson Walker is a robust young fellow
who had celebrated his 2Oih anniversary
only day or two before. He pleaded with
the physicians to save his arm, but they
were helpless to crafty his wish.
Ezra Baer was a son OF the late Solo
mon J. Baer, OF Somerset township, and
brother Of Jonas Baer, the Somerset gents
furnisher. He was % years old and leaves
wife and two children.
Samuel Walker vas a son CT Levi Walker,
a well-known Somerset township farmer.
He was S5 years Of age and leaves a wife
and four children.
Both Of the deceased were industrious
young farmers and quite popular among
their associates.
The mine in which the fatality occurred
IS an old one aRd has been worked for many
years. It contains coal, FIRE clay and lime
stone. Several accidents have occurred in it
but no former ones proved fatal.
The double funeral took place Saturday
morning, interment being made in the
Wills Church cemetery. Rev. J. ]. Welch,
of Friedens, OBLIGATED. The funeral is said
to have been the largest ever witnessed in
Somerset township.