The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-11-29

have resided in st. Louis two years 1 knew VIM O.
Hoffman in Sheboygan, Wis. have him write, and
think would know his handwriting would judge this
letter. which is shown to be his handwriting cannot
swear positively, but believe it TO be. ref
The witness is shown several letters which he Is re-
auested TO examine and state IL he can identify tho
handwriting Of Hoffman The two following letters
proved by this and other witnesses to be in his hand
To WILSON c. BAKER, ST. LOUIS no 1t would be best for
you TO inquire Of your friends in reference the charac
ter Of your wife, They win net, If you insist IT. de-
nv that she has the very worst reputation; that it is
known fact of her having lived in criminal intercourse
with Dr. Mitchell, Samuel Iandermer Cornelius Price,
and with Holman and Others. Ladies and gentlemen OF
tho first standing ready TO testify to her bad charac
ter in all the public houses where you have been living
The neghbors Of the private houses where you lived
pecally during the time of your residence Myrtle
street, willing to testify to the purpor-ke
wise persons who knew her at Manchester. She has
been passing here Holinians wife, and been doing
things of similar disgrace People exasperated
against her and her shameful deception than they
On the envelope Of this letter was endorsed Dcliver
cd from p. o. ST. Louis, March %, 1854
HENRY MCKEE, Clerk"
To. W. c. BAKER, Eso-Bnl Cathcrwood says that he
has had criminal connection with Mrs. Baker when she
boarded at the Pacific Hotel two years ago and he paid
her board at several places man who will tell any
=, rers true OF ann' would nure her
March Is 1854, A SILENT FRIEND
number Of other letters, Of similar purport, ad
dressed to various friends ana relatives of Mrs Baker
were ruled out because the writing could not be proven
TO be in the hand Of Hoffman.
Testimony OF Edward Il. Brooke-A year ago lau Au-
gust came to st. Louis; am acquainted with Mrs.
Baker we were raised in the same town, Morgantown,
Va. her character Of the best for mdness and
tlcness of disposition; have never known or heard
anything against her; saw Mrs. Baker at my mothers
in this city in March last she veson Market street,
nearly opposite the Beverly House; Mrs. haker was
boarder there: she in great deal OF rouble she
very sad and gloomy, and had but little TO say she
remained at my mothers about week or ten days she
went from there TO The Seward House day two be-
fore she killed Hoffman; observed great change in
her. observed her TO be sad than at any previous
time: there was time there wecn she seemed cheer
full never her smile; did not know Hoffman; Mrs.
Baker came TO my mothers from Alton. fst
The counsel here read the deposition q twenty
persons from different places TO the character Of the
defendant All 10 the point that she was re-
marked for the amabity and eencness OF her dispos
ticn, and the correctness Of her department number
a witnesses also examined, who had boarded at
various places ut the time Mrs Baker, and they
all testified to the same facts.
The jury after being out about two hours rendered
verdict OF not guilty charged in the indictment
A CALIFORNIAN MURDERED Hrs WIFE N MICHIGAN.
On Monday last most brutal murder was COM
mtsed in the town Of Rose Oakland county, by man
named Foster II appears that Foster has returned from
California after sojourn OF about two years While he
absent his wife remained At his res denee IN Rose