The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-02-17
Miscellany.
ADespera,e Texas Outlaw.


Tn following remarkable and apparently
authentic story we find in the Memphis Post /:
From a gentleman conversart with the
tact Ia the case we have obtained some par
ticulars in regard to the deeds of a desperate
who infests Northeastern Texas, which seem
more like the creations of fiction or the rec
ords of events in the dark ages, than like &C.
currences OF the present, and which, but for
the reliability OF our informant. and his op-
portrnity OF obtaining the tacts,we should be
inclined to reject as incredible. History
hardly affords parallel to the atrocious con-
duct of this tiendish villain. Highwaymen
and brigands in other countries, impelled BY
the thirst for gold, may have committed as
many deeds of blood, but murder with them
was not the sole object. With him it seems
to be sort OF diabolical pastime, in which he
takes delight as other men would do in the
killing game. He is one of the class of vii.
lains whose innate depravity and fiendisn-
ness was given development by the opportun-
tiles afforded by the war, and who have taken
advantage OF the unsettled state of affairs
since to give full scope to the wickedness of
their malignant hearts, which was before
kept under restraint by the force OF law.
The name of the desperate is Baker. He
calls himself "Colonel Baker of the Confeder-
ate army" but it is said he never held a COM
mission in that army. He was in the rebel
service as a private soldier or guerilla, and
we believe was also at one time in the Union
army. He was in Texas before the war, and
married in the region of his present exploits.
after the war he had no disposition to settle
down to make an honest and peaceable living
but ranged about, committing depredations
and outrages of the most infamous character.
His conduct was so outrageous that General
Reynolds, commanding IN Texas, issued an
order declaring him an outlaw, and directing
that he should be killed wherever found. He
has latterly been roaming over the country
In the northeastern corner OF Texas, and oc-
casionaly in the Indian Territory and South
western Arkansas, sometimes alone and at
other times accompanied by other desperate
characters. -.
A detailed account of all the outraees o
this desperate villain would fill volume
He is said to have committed upwards of for
ty murders. AT first his murderous acts were
confined to United States soldiers and ne
groes; but he has ceased to make distinctions
and no class is exempt from his atrocities
At one time he lode W and killed two SOL
diers who were unsuspicious of danger and
unprepared FOR an attack. At another time
he deliberately shot colored driver. A
squad OF men were sent out by military
commander to capture him, and met him on
the road well mounted and armed, and held a
conversation with him, but either from not
knowing him, or from some other cause, suf-
fered him to escape unmoested. The COM
mander OF the post at Boston, in Bowie coun-
ty, Texas, issued a circular offering a reward
oftwo hundred dollars for his head. Baker
In return wrote a proclamation, signing it
Col Baker, C. s. A., offering four hundred
dollars for the commanders head. He pro-
posed to capitulate on certain conditions,
among which were the following: that ali
United States soldiers should be repad for
their losses during the war, and that the
Southern Confederacy should be aclSno wledg-
ed. or late he has announced that he will
not spare the rebels. He says they have SUBJ
mitted to the Yankees and have dared to
censure his acts, and he will treat all alike. I
This desperate assumes an air of brayado
and defiance, and has intimidated the people
OF the region which be curses with his pres
snce. A Jerry privilege on Red River, which
was recently put up for public sale, and which
would have brought good figure, was knock
Ell down at ten dollars, because he had given
notice that he didn't want anybody to bid on
u, and he then made the purchaser transfer
the privilege to him. Among the latest and
most hendish acts of this desperate villain
we've number of murders committed on
Sulphur Fork, In Bowie county, In the yicln-
ity Of his father-in laws residence. He went
with with two companions to the house of an
old man, an acquaintance and friend of his
father in-law, and iiling up, deliberately shot
down two colored men who came to the
door. The Old man went out to demonstrate
with him, when he said, with malignant
emile, Old man, you are Of no account:
you've outlived your usefulness" and present.
ing his revolver, fired, inficting a fatal wound.
The poor man fell to the ground, AID his two
daughters ran to his assistance, when Baker
knocked one of them down and left her
bleeding and senseless. n iw 31efv .-..
He then went to the fireplace. and remark
ing that the old house had stood long enough.
took shoyeliul oil Goals and threw them up
on bed. Another daughter pulled the bed
clothes Off to extinguish the fire, when he
drew knife and cut her in the most horri-
BILE manner. After committing these diaboli-
cal acts, and treating the whole affair as
though he considered it good joke, he left
and went to his father inlaw's house, telling
him that perhaps he had better 90 over to his
friends as they were in some trouble over
there. When the neighbors went to the
house the old man and one of his daughters
were dead. EF@-r spr .-ea
This crowning act of atrocious crime
aroused the citizens, and party was organ
lied to capture and kill Baker He, however.
made his escape and is still at large. 1t is
TO be hoped that the effort to rid the country
OF such malignant fend may not be abaE-
$500 = S asuss..=se &