The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1922-10-11
THE FACTS ABOUT
THE DEATH OF
YOUNG BAKER

Fugate Hill, Va, Oct. 8.-Quite a
number of statements have been
published in various papers recently,
concerning the accident and death
of j. Buckley Baker, some of which
were erroneous, as to the manner
in which lie met his death, and hav-
ing been able to get these facts from
those who We're present when the ac-
eident, which resulted in the young
mans death occurred, desire to eX-
tend to his many friends through the
columns Of this paper the informa-
ton which they have not been able
TO obtain otherwise
The young man was son Of j. A.
Baker, II well known farmer OF lower
Russell. The accident which caused
his death occurred on Saturday, at
ternoon, about 2 o'clock August ~,
while operating n gasoline engine on
the premises OF his father The en-
Eine seemed not TO be running MS
smoothly as il should and the young
man stepped upon the platform on
which the engine was placed, holding
in one hand small iron rod about
three eigths of an inch square and
about thirty inches long, with this
rod he pressed down the exhaust
lever or arm in order to ascertain
certain changes necessary in timing
the exhaust, when the rod accident
ally slipped and caught in the swift
y revolving wheel and before it was
possible for him to even rise from
the STOPPING posture, the rod com
ing around in the wheel struck him
just beneath the heart, he did not
fall but turned and stepped from
the platform and dropped to his
knees holding this position until his
younger brother and his father and
mother reacher him-4three neigh
Dor boys were also in the engine
house with him. The engine house
being only about twenty-five yard:
from the residence, he was imme
diately carried there, the family ply
stefan being summoned at once
was on the scene in less than 20 min
utes but nothing could be done, tn,
blow had paralyzcd his heart II,
only lived u short time, apparently
did not suffer greatly, and although
unable 10 speak audibly, seemed tc
recognize those around him, espe
cially his mother and in answer Il
her questions rs to his readiness tc
meet God gave positive evidence tina;
all was well---all of the members OF
the family were present except hi.
oldest sister, Mrs. Gussie B. Meade
who arrived Sunday about noon
having been Immediately no
tilted by telegram. Mrs. Meade i,
the widow of +. l.. Meade, prom
inent young man of Scott county
who as 4 number of the readers o
this article will remember, also die,
very suddenly, his death being tn,
result of the use of too much co
came in the extraction of a tooth b,
dentist
Having listened to the many word
Of honest and seemingly heartfelt
praise OF Buckley Baker since hi
death and having known him mysel
since childhood and knowing as
, do the esteem in which he was bel,
in his own community, ! feel safe ii
saying his death has been one of In
; greatest shocks the people of thi
section have ever experienced. Their
is sincere mourning throughout thi
part of the county. where he wa
J known and loved from CHILDHOOD
up. and well may there be mourning
for nobler young man never fel
ct the stroke Of fate.
"A scHOOLMATE