Washington telegraph., 1854-04-26
Another outrage---Probable Murder---Hof.
man shot by Mrs Baker

| AAoh Shot W AaIS. OdAeI.
About two months ago, man named Hoffman
was shot at by Mrs Baker. in st. Louis and
the woman's husband then committed great
outrage on Hoffman for which Baker was held to
bail In several thousand dollars to answer. Hof-
man also brought charge against Mrs Baker for
shooting at him, and she was held to bail. We
published the particulars at the time. The fol-
lowing from the St. Louis Intelligencer Of Thurs
Gay, records still further outrage Hoffman by
( Mrs. Baker:
"The indignation of the public at the brutal
treatment of VIM o. Hoffman by W. c. Baker,
last month has barely subsided, vet they are
startled again by another act, even more outrage
Gus than the .irst. The wife of Baker it is well
known, was implicated in that occurrence by an
attempt to take the life of the victim by firing
pair of pistols at him in her room. for which she
was arrested and bound over for trial. Not salts
fed with the atrocious persecution which Hoff-
man has already experienced. Mrs. Baker has re-
peated her attempt, and. it may be, with fatal re-
sulis.
Fourth street, the scene of the assault as on
every fair day. was thronged with persons and
especially ladies walking and shopping. Hoff-
man and Mrs. Baker met by chance near the
corner of Olive. According to the statement of
several eyewitness no words passed between
them. and he made no movement toward address
sing her. Mrs. Baken upon recognizing him
drew out revolver and presented it. He ran in
to J. q. Simpsons store exclaiming Save mel
ran round the counter, and endeavored to stop
behind 1t. Mrs. Baker, before he could secure
the retreat. leaning over the counter placed the
pistol at his back and fired twice, only one shot
1t is reported taking effect
She then sat down in the nearest chair She
Wore determined expression of countenance but
some minutes afterwards BETRAYED slight weari-
ness or nervousness OF look. and asked for glass
OF water, which was given her by one OF the
clerks. Near twenty ladies were in the store
and witnessed the occurrence. Her husband short
ly made his appearance, and Mrs Baker being in
custody was conducted to carriage and driven
of to Jail.
A gentleman inquired of her before leaving the
store if Hoffman had offered her any new Insult
and she replied mo-" and that the reassf. for
shooting him was that ne had caused her to be
brought before the public and disgraced.
Physicians were summoned and Hoffman
placed under their care On examination thew
found that the ball entered below the shoulder
blade, between the fifth and sixth ribs and ranged
downward, lodging in the region OF the stomach.
ard forming. in their opinion a very dangerous. if
not mortal wound.
lie was removed about five o'clock TO the SIS
ters' hospital and. when heard from last, xas
alive, but in a critical condition
Before his removal, Justice Johnstoue arrived
and took his statement. The following is copy:
L came up Fourth street. and met Mrs Baker
coming down Fourth near the corner of Olive: she
turned around and pulled out pistol ran into
Simpsons store; she followed me and shot twice:
one ball took effect 10 my side. make this State
ment with the advice OF my physician that am
going to die from the effect oi tins wound;
The affair created great excitement in the city.
The Republican says:
OSE O'CLOCK, 4. m.-Soon after dusk last eve
ming large concour>e of people assembled in the
nelshborhood OF the Jail, composed of the German
element who seemed disposed to take Mr.. and
Mrs baker out of Jail and inhict summary punish
ment upon them.
Mayor How and body of police were in at
tendance to preserve order, but at a given signal
an attack was made upon the jail The doors
were violently asSaied with stones and other mis-
sies, and Capt. Couzels was struck with slung
shot or some other weapon, on the head, and
rendered insensible
A discharge of firearms in tie AR on The part
OF the poilce sent the insurgents in every direc-
ton IN the greatest con.nsion
The alarm soon spread that Capt CouZens was
Ellled, and the word was quickly passed down the
street, creating CONSERVATION aud excitement in
Its course. In few minutes the fire bells rang
and large crowds were seen Fastening toward the
JAN. In the meantime two or three military
companies marched up the street and took their
stations on the ground in front OF the Jail 1t was
thought that the insurgents, after the panic would
reinforce themselves and come again. but they
doubtless considered discretion the better part OF
vaIor, and kept off for the balance of the night.
Capt. Couzens was taken down to the police
office where his wound was dressed We are
happy to state, however, that though severely he
was not seriously wounded
In the melee Mayor How narrowly escaped
being injured by the missiles which were cast
against the Jail DOOR near which he was standing.
In the early part Of the evening he was attacked
by some rutiian, but with one blow OF his stalwart
fist he leveled him.
AT the hour of our going to press the military
surrounded the Jail and there was certainly no
fears of an attack.