Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-05-19


orr New y oFk-Interesting Parties lars.
The New York papers Of the 10th contain full
particulars of the arrest and arrival in that city
of Louis Baker, charged with the murder of Will
liam Pool. We copy the following from the
Herald -'sts,- ...
s The metropolis was thrown into a state of great
excitement yesterday afternoon, by the announce
ment that the Grapeshot was coming up the bay
with Louis Baker, the alleged murderer OF Bill
Fool ON board.g The report rapidly spread over
the city, and scarcely half hour elapsed before
the news was in every nook and corner OF this
vast town. f3sfW
About six 0 clock the question of the arrival
or non-arrival Of the fugitive Baker was settled,
Tor at TINT hour row boat, containing eight or
nine persons all armed, having in charge
prisoner, who was at one recognized as the. long
sought for Louis Baker, approached the Battery,
and landed its passengers in safety.
sA gffi Y Tho Oapture.
/ On the 18th Of March, the Grapeshot, Captain
Hepburn, set sail from this port, having on board
eight officers, having an legal authority to arrest
Baker, who, as was supposed, had left New York
in the brig Isabella Jewetf for the port of Palmos,
Grand Canary Island Nothing remarkable hap
pened during the voyage. Tie vessel, with fair
winds and good weather, made the remarkable
short run of twenty days to Pamos, arriving at
that port on the 7th of April.
Having safely anchored in the roadstead, the
officers proceeded ashore, where they learned
that the Isabella Jewett had not vet arrived
They then informed the authorities OF the nature
Of their visit, and requested their aid, should
they require it, in effectng the capture of the
fugitive. The authorities at first seemed some
what timid about interfering ono way or the
| other in the matter, lest they should offend the
home government of Madrid, but at last con-
scented to render all the aid in their power to-
wards delivering the fugitive up to the officers of
justice.
Ten days were anxiously spent in cruising
| about the island, so as to intercept the Isabella
Jewctt ere she should arrive at her port of dest-
nation. On the morning of the It'll brig, stand
| ing in shore, was discovered from the masthead
| of the Grapcsllot. All sail was at once crowded
on, and the clipper stood for the brig. In about
| an hour the vessels came within hailing distance,
| when the captain Of the Grapeshot requested the
master of the brig to back her foretopsail and
| hove to, as he wanted to board her. The re-
| quest was without any delay complied with, and
| in n few moments the pursilers and pursued were
within few hundred yards of one another The
officers having disguised themselves in sailors
garb, got into boat, and rowed to the brig.
Getting alongside, the object Of their search was
| discovered on board the Jewett, apparently un-
conscious Of the nearness of those in pursuit of
him. The officers hastily gathering around Baker,
he was informed of the nature of their business,
and warned not to make any attempt at escape,
us they were fully prepared for anything of that
| a loaded revolver at his breast.
Baker, finding that any attempt at resistance
was useless, quietly submitted to be manacled,
| and was quickly placed in the boat and rowed ON
board the Grapeshot The captain of the lisa
bella Jewctt expressed dissatisfaction at the
| conduct of the officers, thinking no doubt, that
he had been relieved of rather troublesome pas
senger. A statcroom was prepared for the prso-
| ner, and being well guarded, the Grapeshot set
sail for New York with favorable wind. Dur
ry,rpf
| by the officers upon the movements of Baker,
lest he should make at attempt at suicide. The
voyage to New York was performed in twenty
nine days, during which time nothing worthy of
| mention occurred, except, perhaps, that to any
| question asked Baker to the cause assigned by
him for having shot Poole, nc would tell the
officers that he committed the deed in self-de-
fence alone, that the deceased was the aggressor,
and that he acted in defence of his own life when
he discharged the pistol at him.
Alter prosperous voyage, the Grapcshot
sighted the Highlands on the morning of yester-
day. and succeeded in getting into port about six
o'clock last evening.
While coming up the bay it was determined
by the officers to hire steam tug and convey
their prisoner in advance of the Grapeshot so as
to avoid the presence of crowds that would be
anxiously waiting the arrival Of the Grapeshot
The plan succeeded admirably, for the officers
succeeded in landing their prisoner without any
trouble or Inconvenience that would otherwise
have attended their labors
The Arrival mt the Tombs.
Landing at the Battery; an omnibus was pro-
cured, and the entire party quietly drove off to
the Fifth ward station-house, which soon reached
but ere the vehicle had reached Leonard street,
wind of the affair had spread like wild6re among
those in the neighborhood, and the entire
neighborhood was crowded with dense multi
tude. The excitement being intense, Capt. Car
penter, with great deal Of prudence, ordered
the officers to take their prisoner TO the Tombs,
he being fearful that an attempt at rescue would
be made. Baker, after some delay, was put into
a coach and driven off to the city prison, follow
ed by the concourse, who thronged the thorough
fares so closely that it with great difficulty
the carriage could be driven to the Tombs.
Having safely lodged Baker in the prison, of.
ficer Evans proceeded to Judge Stuart 5 residence
in Twenty-ninth street, to inform him of the ar
rest of Baker, and to procure n commitment for
their prisoner. Judge Stuart being confined to
his bed with severe attack Of pleurisy, could not
accompany the officer to the prison, but wrote out
a commitment and handed il TO Justice Pearcy,
who was present The latter then proceeded with
the officer to the Tombs, and visited Baker in his
official capacity. A cell on the second corridor
was allotted 10 Baker, where he now remains.
On entering the City Prison, Baker met Turner,
with whom he shook hands warmly. Indeed, SO
glad was Baker to see his companion Of that fear
full night, that tears started from his eyes on sa-
luting him.
The officers engaged in accomplishing this i'm
portant arrest deserve much credit for the sue
cessful manner in which they effected the capture
of the fugitive. As Baker is already under indct-
mcpt, there will be no examination at present.
He has entirely recovered from the wounds he re-
ceived during the ARRAY at Stanwix Hall, and
looks much improved in health, much SO that
many Of his most intimate friends were much sur
prised at tho good effect the voyage had upon
| him.
Description Of the Prisoner.
Baker is large, heavy man, about five feet
nine inches in height, broad chest, is about thirty
| five years Of age, and weighs two hundred pounds
He is light complcxioncd man, with n large
| head and brown hair, inclined to curl When our
reporter saw him yesterday, he wore large, heavy
whiskers, seemed much sunburnt, and altogether
had the appearance Of a sailor Just arrived from
| a long voyage. He has expressed no opinion rel
alive 10 the probable result Of his trial for murder,
although he declares that should justife be done,
he should be acquitted on the ground of selfde-
r..