The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-02-24
CRUSHED By TREES.
TWO FATAL ACCIDENTS IN THE
FORESTS OF WASHINGTON.
John Hiliigar, n Young Man of Fail
City. Killed mt Lake 50 NINA mish
Instant Death-Her Mother Ii
Thought TO BE Fatally Injured.

John Hlligar vas crushed To death by 8
tree az Leland Houghton's logging camp.
on Lake Sammzmish, Monday evening. His
Enanglec body was brought into the city
about O'Clock last night, when the full
particulars OF the accident were learned.
Young Hilgigar. fer he vas just Il years
and months old. hsd been working all
winter at the logging camp, where ne CON-
Tpanded universal respect b. his good
character and steady habits. He was IN
robust health. and an hour before his death
such an event seemed utterly improbable.
His companions in the camp had felled
q large tree which was caught and held by
some saplngs on the side Of hill from
which they expected TO ron II into the
lake As Hillgar was doing the brush
ing some OF his comrades cautioned him
about getting too near the tree. which they
thought was lying in a rather dangerous
position. All hands went TO supper. Pretty
soon some one noticed that Hilligar was
absent and commented on the fact. Sup
per was over, but still he did not appear
Such an irregularity was so far outside his
habits that some of the men at once went
in search OF him. 1t was but a brief
search, with sad ending. There, by the
lakeside. they found him. He had been
cutting away the brush, when the great
trunk dislodged from its precarious sup
port, had rolled over on him and crushed
the life out OF him.
John McQuade. city marshal OF fsssquah
telegrsphed Coroner YandeA and the mes
sage was 'phonsd 10 the coroner late Mon
day night. Ii was rather ambiguous.
pointing rather To a murder and a party
consisting OF Coroner Yanden. Stenogra-
pier Mrs. c. b. YandeH. Deputy Sheriff
Baker. and q. y. Butterworth left for the
scene OF death. in anticipation of prob
able inquest and a possible arrest.
They had an extremely rough trip hav-
ing - walk rough roads distance OF
seven miles. They went out by Yesler way.
chartered the steamer City OF Latona to
Mercer slough. as the telegram had direct
sd. and there found a tireSome tramp
across 10 Lake Sammamish. On the lake
they took a small steamer, and with much
difficulty made their way TO the logging
camp.
Once on the scene the coroner was not
long in arriving at the conclusion that no
inquest Was neeeEsary. He Intercepted
HougFton. z. X. CULVER and William
Barrey. all OF whom mad been associated
with HEligar In the camp. and the wit
neases Clearly brought out the facts al
ready slated There was little left TO do
beyond bringing the body back 10 the city.
This in itself was little less than hercu-
lean task. 4 wagon was secured for part
OF the way. the body was borne by men
over another portion of the journey, while
over stiA another stage where the plank
ing was too narrow for two TO walk
abreast, a whe slbarrow had to be brought
into requisition. The party reached Seat
lie about o'clock last night.
Hiiiga< was the son OF Louis F. Hill
gar. the eldest Of seven children. the prop
and mainstay OF his parents. to whom he
was devotedly ATTACHED. contributing 70
their support all his fittle earnings His
father and mother. whose home il al Fail
City. WIN be IN Seattle today 10 make ar
rangements for the funeral.
ChiIdrs Neck and Back Broken.
MMURRAY, Feb "A sad accident oc-
CURED this morning al o'clock by which
the 3-year-old daughter OF W f. Merry
was instantly killed and his wife seriously
injured. Merry was engaged IN falling A
tree which endangered his house In fall
ing the tree struck another which stood
IN its path. the latter falling In the dlrec-
ton Of the woman ard girl
The girls neck and back were broken.
Mrs. Merry now lies in a critical condition.
II IS impossible TO give the extent OF her
injuries until the arrival 81 A doctor from
wooIey.
The husband and father il almost crsyed
with grief Merry moved HIS family from
Olympia here about six months age. and Is
employed "a the Alta Lumber Cornpany's
NH.