Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1868-10-07
(From the Dubuque tIowa1 Herald, Sept. 3oth.l
Attempted Double Suicide---
EIopement, Seduction, and
Death.

OedIns
On Friday George A. Baker and
lady" were registered at the Planter S
House. having arrived from the East
by the evening train. They had bag
gage, were neatly dressed, and in APP
pearance respectable, and were ac-
cordingly assigned to room 10, on the
second floor front On Saturday Ba-
ker was about, and Mrs. Baker, as
was supposed, appeared to be in good
spirits. So, on Sunday and Monday
On Tuesday nothing unusual showed
IN the appearance of either, until
about 5 o'clock. At that hour Baker
was seen descending the outside stairs
Of the hotel He reeled and fell,
grasping in his left hand bottle,
which broke and badly cut his hand
and wrist His face was also badly
bruised. Mr.. Jessup and Messrs. Har-
die and Brownson were on the street
and ran to his assistance. They found
him apparently insensible. Picking
up the cork of the bottle they discov-
cred that it had but recently confined
laudanum. Ascertaing the number of
his room they proceeded to convey
him to it. Upon opening the door
his supposed wife was lying upon the
bed apparently dead, while the un-
mistakable fumes of the poison filled
the room. Alarm was given and
physicians called. The man was CON
veved to another room, and soon gave
tokens OF abundant vitality
At o'clock cur reporter visited
the hotel and obtained the story of
the whole affair, as Baker tells it.
His name is George \. Baker, and
he is thirty-one years of age. a bout
thirteen years ago he went to Madl-
son, Wis, and became dry goods
clerk. Seven years ago he went to
California, and in Sacrata ento was
employed as clerk portion of the
time, and during the remainder Of his
visit to the Pacific coast was occupied
as apothecary in the hospital. At
the eXpira ton of five years be return
ed to Madison, and during the last two
years has been employed in that city
as clerk in the dry goods store of Dud-
ley and Baker, the Junior member of
the firm being J. II. D. Baker, his
brother, with whom he boarded most
Of the time, and short time at the
Rosedale House. He confesses to
having been Incorporate, every two
or three months going on spree
About four or five weeks ago he was
thrown out of business, probably
owing to his habits, as he contesses
to have to have been on a spree about
that time a this point Baker re-
lates his connection with the woman
whom he has passed as his wife here.
Her name is Amanda {. Brlley. She
is the daughter of a widowed mother,
an invalid, residing at " estport, about
seven miles from Madison, and has
two sisters residing there married to
men bv the name of Trumbull and
Kershaw. Baker says he has known
Miss Amanda G.. Briley about thirteen
years. When he lost his place in
his brothers store at Madison, IN com
pany with the girl, who is twenty
four years of age, he went to the hop
district and both engaged IN picking
hops. He says he did not pass her as
his wife there. and at the end of three
weeks thev returned home. The girl
went to live in the family of Rev.
Spaulding, an Episcopal clergyman,
with whom she had been before
Last Friday, unknown to the friends
of the girl, he persuaded her to ac-
him IN search OF new home,
where they were to be married and
live in love and clover As above
stated, they reached this city that
evening. and registered as husband
and wife.
Baker save that he spent two days
in searching for situation as clerk in
vain, and his money being nearly ex-
hausted he became discouraged and
determined upon self-destruction- He
accordingly went to Moore's drug store
and purchased one ounce of laudanum,
and. to make sure of sufficient guam
titv. went to Tuttle's drug store and
procured two ounces more. He then
went to his room and drank one ounce.
The girl learning his purpose insisted
upon dying with him, and took an
ounce of laudanum. Fearing that
the dose already taken would, fail, Ba-
ker drank the remaining ounce. lie
saws that it made him a little sick
and considerably crazy, and he re-
members nothing until he had been
taken up to his room and the doctor
was dressing his wounded hand.
As We have stated, physicians We're
called to attend upon the unfortun-
ate woman as soon as her condition
was discovered Several were IN at
tendance, and labored asslduously to
return her TO life. The case seemed
hopeless from the first, but everything
possible was done for her. All was
in vain At a little past nine o clock
in the evening she died.
Marshall Morchiser, who had been
notified. promptly arrested Baker, he
having recovered from the effects of
whatever laudanum he had taken and,
lodged him in Jail 10 await an inves-
tigation of the affair
There were suspicious whispered
and rumors adoat last evening IN ref
erence to Bakers conduct and respon-