The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-11-02
Sad Fate Of C. N. Baker at Old Ex-
change Hotel Yesterday.
.DERRiCK'S DEADLY COLLAPSE.
j. c. Williams Pinioncd by One OF the
Timbcls aud So Seriously Hurt
That :Ic Expired Last Night.
There We're Two CoI-
oIcd Men Hunt ut
Same Time.

Two casualties. boil: of which resulted
fatally, occurred i'll Richmond yesterday
morning. These following the fatality at
the Chesapeake and OHIO viaduct yestcr-
day, Indicate that an cridcmic of acct
dents is going on about construction work
III this city.
The first casualty yesterdaE was that to
Mr. G. NJ Baker. foreman of u gang of
fifteen laborcfs engaged in removing and
piling tinbers from The old Exchange Ho
tel, which is being torn down to make way
for the big clothing factory to be erected
by Messrs NJ. Cohen e Bro. of Peters
burg. on the site of this famous old cana
vansary. Mr.. Baker was Instantly killed
about els O'Clock yesterday morning by
the falling of a section of one of the inte-
ror walls The work of Mr.. Bakers force
was supposed to be entirely outside the
building, but for some unknown reason
Mr.. Baker ventured into the partially
demolished structure, and was in the old
parlor in the northwest corner of the
house. when workmcn above not knowing
any one was below, tripped section of one
Of The interior walls about 11xi2 feet. The
bricks and mortar came down with ter
rifle force. passing through the second
story 10 the first. where Mr.. Baker was
buried under the debris. lie gave one cry
and was heard no more.
BODY REMOVED.
The body was quickly taken out and car
ried across the street ana into Il room IN
the basement of the old Ballard Hotel by
Policeman Werner and several others. II
was found that the unfortunate mans skull
had been crushed just above the bridge Of
the nose, and that be was manned and
bruised about many other parts OF the
body Coroner Taylor was summoned, and
directed that the remains be turned over
TO the relatives OF the dead man.
An order is posted in various places on
the Exchange building announcing that
all persons are prohibited from going in
side the structure, except those actually
engaged in the tearing down of the walls
This notice calls attention to the danger
within the structure. AS Mr.. Baken en-
tered the building two or three persons
called to him TO come back. They are
about to throw u section of that wall.
shouted some one, but the unfortunate
man appeared not to hear these warnings
The deceased was about thirty-tive years
of age, ana leaves A wife and one adopted
cHitU. IdheI- Is SuINiNeu bS SlS
brothers and six sisters. The sisters are:
Mrs. c. NJ. Parson, Richmond; Mrs. Oc-
tavia Sharp, Hanover: Mrs. Maggie Scott
Richmond Miss Virsie Baker. Richmond: ::
Mrs. Carrie Tiller, Richmond. and Miss
Lizzie Baker. Richmond His brothers
are: HI. F. Baker. j. S. Baker. Harry
Baker, Morris Baker, Jefferson Baker, all
of Richmond, and j. J. Baker, Of St.
Louis
Mr.. Baker had been engaged as foreman
of the timber gang at the hotel about ,wo
weeks, and was regarded as a faithful
worker, yet consderate foreman. His
men speak in the highest terms of him.
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS.
The body was taken TO Billups' under
taking establishment 10 be prepared for
burial.
After being embalmed the remains We're
placed in a handsome casket and removed
10 the residence of the deceased. just be-
yond the city limits on the Seven Pines
Railroad. The funeral will take place at
$50 O'Clock Tomorrow afternoon from the
home of Mr. Baker, and the nterment will
be made at Oakwood.
CAUGHT UNDER A DERRICK.
Another fatal accident occurred in the
canal-bed, at the foot of Ninth Street.
shortly after 10 o'clock yesterday morn
ing, when Mr.. j. c. Williams, inspector Of
concrete for the James River Construc-
ton. Company, was 50 badly injured that
he died at 10 O'Clock last night ard TWO
colored men were slightly hurt The three
huge timbers of the derrick fell into "a
group of laborers, who saw the great
piece coming toward them and mana aged
10 get ont OF the way
Mr.. Williams, VINO was standing near
the north wall OF the canal was caught
by one Of the timbers and mashed against
the rocks. One arm was shattered in
many places and an ugly confusion was
raised on the head. He also probably re-
ceivcd internal injuries.
Charles Richardson (colo:ed), Who re-
sides on Canal Street, between Third and
Fourth Streets, was bruised about the
legs and arms. but his injuries are not of
serious nature. Another colored man
was slightly hurt about the hands.
miraculous feature of the accident is
found in that more men were not Injured.
The derrick was stationed in the bottom
OF the canal, all the water having been
turned out. One of the su!de-ropes holding
the monster Contrivance i'll position broke
and the derrick toppled over III the To-
cality of the group Of workmen.
PINNED AGAINST ROCK.
Mr.. Williams was standing near. exam
ining the concrete being put into the
walls, and was p.nioned against the rough
side of the canal. where the wall had not
yet been constructed.
AS soon as the men realized what had
happened the huge timber was lifted from
Mr. Williams and an ambulance was sum
moned. The unfortunate man was taken
ID the Old Dominion Hospital.
Mr. Williams was probably fifty or fifty
tive years old. and is a man OF tine char
acter He resided with his family at No.
SIS North Twenty-third Street. He came
to Richmond from New York about two
years ago as an Inspector OF concrete for
the James River Construction Company
Mr.. Williams Is said to have been an
expert in his line Of work
II was at first thought that Mr.. VII
zliams. skull had been fractured. but an
examination at the hospital showed that
this was not the case His physicians