Washington telegraph., 1852-09-29
A Ira dy.

1t will be remembered that some several wears
ago a cripple caused himself to be driven hac
to the door of small tenement near the corner o
Market and Second streets, and after calling the
inmate, VIM. Baker, to the side of the hack. shot
him, producing instant death. He was arraigned
and had his trial, when the following circuml-
stances were ELECTED. The name of the cripple
was James Peters. He had been acquainted with
Baker at the South, and perhaps they had been
inmates of the same house. a woman named Pa
mela Newcomb residing with them, probably as
Bakers wife. as she was living with him here as
his wife when Peters killed him. The story OF
Peters was, that Baker decoyed him out we be-
lieve upon the Natchez Bluff and there stripped
him of his money, and beat and cut him in most
inhuman manner, leaving him for dead. Peters
was taken to the hospital, and remained for long
time in most critical condition. but finally re-
covered with the entire loss of the use OF his low
er limbs, which had been paralysed by the injury
his spinal cord had received. During the long.
long days of confinement visions OF revenge and
the means OF accomplishing it frequently flashed
across his mind. But his better angel banished
the dark phantom which would come again until
the fearful purpose a settled thing. He deter
mined to seek Baker. lay the case before him. and
give him the alternative OF yielding him the
saries for his miserable existence or death. For
some time he wrung from him reluctant support;
but at length Baker decamped taking with him
the woman and leaving Peters helpless and with
out bread.
Learning that Baker had located in Louisville,
where, usual. he maintained himself by gam5-
ling and worse means he came to this city. and
had more than one interview with him. repeating
the alternative. Baker put him off from time 10
time. and becoming exasperated and desperate,
he caused himself to be driven to Bakers door.
and calling him to the carriage door shot him
dead. The woman who passed for Bakers wife
corroborated the story of Peters In every particu-
lar: and the horrible appearance Of Peters in
Court. his limbs in constant motion, bevond the
control of his viii. produced such an effect that
he was although found guilty, recommended to,
and received the clemency of the Executive.
We have never heard of Peters since, till Satur-
day. when we We're told of the gic circurnstan-
ces that terminated his Whether he was
Jealous OF Pamela Newcomb. with whom be has
been living. and who was the Paramour of Baker;
or whether he had resolved upon selt-destruction
and wished her to 90 with him to
That undiscovered country, from whose bourne
No traveller returnsn
is not known-probably the latter-and paper
found upon his person containing the follow
ing words Gentlemen, this is premeditated: |
have no wish to live longer; | want Us both put
in coffin and buried together-Peters.' From
this it may be inferred that his morbid anxiety
for a termination OF his suffering. had grown too
strong for the instinct of life. and that his deep
anu dtldCNIleIU lie WOllldl CduScu
that strange and unnatural but frequent wish of
minds diseased, that the object of affection should
accompany them through the last fearful journey,
and drove him to attempt her life previous to his
own. He caused himself to be ia ken to coffee
house on Preston street. where he waited till she
passed along from evening market. when he snap
ped revolver at her, and Immediately fired an
other barrel, the shot taking effect in her ARM
He then turned the weapon upon himself and in
ficted wounds of which he died or Sunday after
noon He was conscious to the last; and almost
his last words conveyed the thoughts and feelings
paramount to all others. and which made his
breast constant hell:-"D-n Baker, expect
to meet him in h-ll. but d-n him" Thus ends
the tragedy. Of the three characters, two have
gone to their final homes in blood, and the third
narrowly escaped similar fate and only lives to
be bve-word and scorn unless, indeed, she hide
her head in penitence and ashes from the worlds
gaze Louisville Times.