The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-10-09

WI NNNANNNN N"NnI NN0k y oF 0V FNNNl
While City Inspector James Clark
and Workman Harry Baker were
working in the new water mains Wed.
nesday afternoon, Clark BECAME suffo-
Gated by the gas and for a long time
II was thought he would not be pulled
out alive.
City Inspector Clark crawled in the
twenty-four-inch pipe to inspect the
work. Harry Baker accompanied him
to show him how the seams of the
pipe were finished inside. With Ba.
ker, the entering of the small pipe,
not much larger than mans body. Is
an everyday occurrence, but It was
new work to Clark. and there were
many things to confuse him. While
he was within. the riveting OF the
seams with the air driver. which
makes tumultuous noise. was going
on. and to one not used to It. this
noise alone Is confusing, as It rings
and echoes through the pipe. The
supply of air in the pipe is necessarl.
ly very poor, as the pipe is over 800
feet long and there are only few
air holes in 1t.
A paint called the and b is used
on the newly rlveted seams OF the
pipe. which contains explosive ingre-
dents While Baker and Clark were
within some Of this paint exploded,
and the fumes formed gas which
soon overcame Clark. AS the men
lay on their stomachs crawling inside
the pipe. Baker was holding a can in
which the men on the outside were
to pour some tar. Baker said, Come
on" 20 Clark just after the paint had
exploded. to encourage him to crawl
In further. The men on the outside
thought Baker was talking to them,
and they poured the hot tar through
the hole onto Bakers hand. Baker
shrieked with pain and at the same
time saw Clark swoon, overcome by
the fumes OF the gas. and the close
ness of the atmosphere. Baker him.
self was nearly overcome, and signal.
ed to the foreman for help. with his
wounded hand all Baker could do was
to crawl out the 800 feet OF pipe to
save himself.
In the meantime Foreman ]. IT,.
Stocher. knowing Of the situation in
which the two men were imperiled,
sent two Of his best workmen to their
assistance The men passed Baker
while he was on his way out, and at
his request left him to wriggle him.
self the rest OF the way while they
went to save Clark.
Baker reached the air nearly ex.
hausted and was hastened TO the Re
ceiving hospital where DR.. Nichols
dressed HIS hand and arm, and soon
restored him to a normal condition.
In the meantime, hundreds of peo-
pie who had heard OF Clarks suffoca,
tion lined the banks OF the big ditch,
anXlously waiting for the men 20
bring him out Word had been pass.
ed along the crowd that Clark was
dead, and the crowd stood aghast
while the men within were slowly
bringing him through the long rnd
narrow pipe.
A rope had been placed around
Clark's shoulders and the two men
were pulling him out in that way.
Finally they reached the end. and
Clark was swiftly but carefully put
into the ambulance. Clark's body |
showed all the signs OF death. His
eyes were closed, and the features OF
his face were fixed. His face was al
most black. his body limp, and his
breast motionless
AT the receiving hospital he was
soon restored TO consciousness. DIR.
Nichols gave him restoratives. and
worked him arms and chest TO im.
prove the respiration. Slowly Clark
began TO show signs OF life, as his
friends stood over him anNously
He first moved his arms,
and then opened his eyes. Finally he
the power OF speech and
'sked II his companions we're all
right
He then recovered rapidly, and IN a
ew minutes was out OF all danger