Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-05-17

To Messrs. s, ii. Hill and i. 5. EVANS, Board OF
Aldermen.
May IA, 1855
The Capture OF Baker.
The arrival Of the Grapeshot at New York on
Tuesday, with Baker, the murderer of Poole on
board, caused great degree of excitement. The
Herald gives the following details:
The metropolis was thrown into 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
Poole, ON board. The report rapidly spread over
the city, and scarcely half an hour elapsed before
the news in every nook and corner OF this vast
town. Some regarded the report as hoax, while
others felt sangune of its truth, and betook them
selves to the barge Office, and there awaited the
confirmation of the intelligence.
About six o'clock the question Of the arrival or
non-arrival of the fugitive Baker was settled, for
at that hour row boat, containing eight or nine
persons, all armed, having in charge prisoner,
who was at once recognised as the long sought for
Louis Baker approached the Battery, and landed
its passengers In safety.
The unexpected arrival of Baker, as may well be
imagined, was the general theme of conversation,
and anxious inquiries were made to ascertain the
particulars ofhis capture and safe delivery at the
port of New York. As all the facts connected
with the successful undertakingare interesting, we
give detailed account of the affair." as related to
us by one of the officers who was commissioned to
pursue Baker;
Ihe Capture. --On the 18th Of March, the Grape
shot, Capt Hepburn, set sail from this port having
on board eight officers, all having legal authority
to arrest Baker, who as was supposed, had left
New York In the brig Isabella Jewett, for the
port Of Palmos, Grand Canary Island Nothing
remarkable happened during the voyage. The
vessel, with fair winds and good weather. made the
remarkable short run of 20 days to Palmos, arriv-
ing 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 yet arrived. They
then informed the authorities Of the nature of their
visit and requested their aid, should they require
it, in effecting the capture of the fugitive. The
authorities seemed at first tmid about interfering
one way or the other in the matter, lest they should
offend the home government at Madrid, but at last
consented 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 Jewett
ere she should arrive at her port Of destination.
On the morning Of the 18th a brig, standing in
shore, was discovered from the masthead of the
Grapeshot. 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 requested the master of the brig to back
her foretopsai and heave to, he wanted to board
her. The request was without any delay complied
with, and in few moments the pursuers and the
pursued were within few hundred yards of one
another. The officers having disguised themselves
in sailor garb, got into boat and .rowed to the
brig. Getting alongside, the object of their search
was discovered on board the Jewett apparently
unconscious of the of those in pursuit OF
him. The officers hastily gathered around Baker,
he was informed OF the nature Of their business,
and warned not to make any attempt at escape, Us
they full prepared for any thing of that sort
at the same time each Of them presented a loaded
revolver at his breast.
Baker, finding that any attempt at resistance was
useless, quietly submitted to be manaeed, and was
quickly placed In the boat and rowed on board the
Grapeshot. The captain Of the Isabella Jewett ex-
pressed no dissatisfaction at the conduct Of the
officers, thinking, no doubt that he had been re-
Ieved of rather troublesome passenger. A state
room was prepared for the prisoner, and, being
well guarded, the Grapeshot set sail for New York
with a favorable wind. During the passage home,
constant watch was kept by the officers upon the
movements Of Baker, lest he should make an at
tempt at suicide. The voyage to New York was
performed in twenty-nine days, during which time
nothing worthy Of mention occurred except per-
haps, that 10 any question asked Baker, as to the
cause assigned by him for having shot Poole he
would tell the officers that he committed the deed
In selfdefence alone, that deceased the aggres-
sor, and that he acted in defence OF his own life
when he discharged the pistol at him.
After aprosperous voyage, the Grapeshot sighted
the Highlands on the morning of yesterday, and
succeeded in getting into port about six o'clock
last evening.
While coming mp the bay, IL 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 anx
iously waiting the arrival Of the Grapeshot The
plan succeeded admirably for the officers succeed
ed In landing their prisoner without any trouble or
inconvenience that would otherwise have attended
their labors
The arrival at the TonJs.--Landing at the Bat
terry, an omnibus was procured, and the entire
party quietly drove of TO the Fifth Ward station
house, which was soon reached; but ere the vehi.
Gle had reached Leonard street, wind Of the affair
had spread like wild6re among those in the neigh
borhood, and soon the entire neighborhood was
crowded with dense multitude. The excitement
being intense, Captain Carpenter 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 coach, and driven OF
TO the city prison, followed by the concourse who
thronged the thoroughhres so closely that Il was
with great difficulty the carriage could be driven
10 the Tombs.
Department News.