The Savannah morning news., 1901-08-17
TROLLEY'S VICTIM BURIED.
Little Clarence Eugene Baker mt
Rest in Laurel Grove.


Rest in Laurel Grove.
The funeral of Clarence Eugene Ba-
ker, the 5-year-old boy who met his
death under the wheels of an e. & w.
belt car, took place yesterday
afternoon from the residence of his
parents, No. 27 West Broad street. Sor-
rowing friends crowded the room in
which the service was held, and the
scene was a pathetic one.
Mr.. and Mrs. Eugene M. Baker, the
child's parents, were heart-broken, and
their sobs could be heard on the street
The funeral service was con-
Quoted by Rev. Ed. f. Cook,
pastor of Wesley Monumental
Church, and there was not dry eye
in the room. Supported by her hus-
band, the mother stood over the little
white casket and wept bitterly.
While those within the house were
bowed deep with sorrow mot
ley handful gathered on the sidewalk.
They had been attracted by curiosity
and the contrast was striking; one
group with eyes swollen from weeping,
and the other laughing and joking.
Only a few feet separated them, but
the street urchins struck each other
with sticks and were unmolested. The
white children who live in that neigh
borhood amused themselves by tossing
each others caps into the doorway and
on the pavement. They did not realize,
or cared nothing for, the suffering of
those within, and scampered and dane
ed around the house like so many young
barbarians.
Mothers, with babes, stood bare
headed, but respectful, as the funeral
service was read. They thought of
their own little ones and in many cases
tears glistened in the eyes of women
who pressed their little ones closer.
Car No. 1903, the one that caused the
tragic death of young Baker, passed
the house during the service. The lit
tie coffin was lifted gently to the hearse
by loving hands, and the procession
started for the burial place in Laurel
Grove.
The urchins stopped their play and
stiffness spread over those on the side
walk. Resting upon the arm of her
husband, Mrs. Baker stepped into
carriage. followed by her second sor
Alley, who had narrow escape from
a fate similar to that of his older
brother. The mothers bruised face
was hidden beneath "a heavy veil. A
young girl followed closely in her wake.
bearing the infant who fell to the cob
blestones with his mother. The baby
was crying, too, not because he real
ICED the calamity that had fallen upon
the household, but because of the pain
he suffered.
Because of the severe strain upon
Mr.. Baker the inquest was not held
yesterday by Coroner Keller. The faith
er was unfit physically and mentally
to pass through the ordeal, and in
respect to his wishes the inquest went
over until this morning. Witnesses will
be examined in the Police Court, and
the jury will determine whether the ac-
cident was caused by the negligence of
the motorman. If such should prove to
have been the case the man will be
held for involuntary manslaughter.
Yesterday morning Conductor j. II.
Grice furnished bail in the sum of ST.
COO, and was given his liberty. Even
though the accident were due to GRIM
inal carelessness there is no law upon
which he could be held. No bail would
be accepted for Motorman T. l.. Avant
and he spent his second night in Jail.
He expressed the deepest regret at the
accident and stated that he did all in
his power to prevent it. The affair has
placed him in most uncomfortable
position, too. He feels it keenly.