The Van Buren press., 1872-07-16
NO. IL.

slO, 900 for it; we'll, l an Cullen Baker.
and am ready to furnish the head on
your order when the money 10 paid. "
The majors face turned deadly pale.
his eyes started from their sockets, and
in half gas ping tones, he said Really.
sir, Twas not aware ! was talking with
Mr.. Baker himself OF course, could
have nothing personal against yon, and
don't see that it's any OF my affair 70
be running myself into danger to take
you"
mo, said baker, one should not
always be rea,ly TO do other peoples
work, )" and turning, he left the Office OF
the major with as much unconcern ~ be
entered IL, and mounting his horse, he
rode out OF town and sought his hiding
ing place in the wilds Of the Sulphur.
As soon as the major could recover
from what be was pleased TO denominate
his surprise, he rallied his '.boys in blue"
and put after the "daring wizard" /"
Reaching Boston, Bowie county, the ma
jor and his party learned that Baker and
a companion were at the " tipplng house
ENJOYING q drink" The public square
was at once surrounded, and demand
made upon Baker to surrender. Baker
responded "all right, and casting his
mild blue eye nround him to see how
many ho had to fight. made q leap for
his horse, reached him, and in attempting
to mount his horse dropped his pistol.
ITo picked mp his pistol, mounted his
horse, and throwing his pistol in the air
keen crack was heard, which was the
ann nouncement Of Cullen Bakers deter
mina.icn never to be taken alive. His
shot was responded to by the Federal
soldiers, and his companion fell from bis
horse mortally wounded. Baker looked
down upon the face Of bis dying friend,
and moment later he was galloping
away, shooting back at his pursuers. He
reached Dooley's ferry, having evadcd
the Federal party, and crossed into Ar.
kansas, telling the ferryman that IL he
permitted any one 10 cross over on that
boat after him that night he would kill
him tho next evening. The ferryman
scuttled his boat and sunk 1t, and thus
Cullen Baker, for the second time, beat
the major
Subsequent TO this time he surround
ed a small town in Texas, alone. end by
demanding the unconditional surrender
Of the place, the commandant started 4
courier post haste to Marshall, Texas,
for reinfsrcements, whom Baker, meet
ing with, made go back and tell the COM
mander OF the trick.
Long chapters might be added to this
one Of his bold deeds. some OF them 70.
mantle and invested with an interest not
shocked by crime, but more often dark
and bloody. 1t has been estimated that
in his life time lie killed, or caused to be
killed, Aty men He married in Lafay
alto nonntv. Arkaaaaa. aoypn time during
the year before his terrible character Was
developed. He rode swiftes. horses, and
knew all the intricate paths OF swamps
and dense forests, and to take him was
next to impossible.
The people had sueh fear ofhim that
they never dared to report his move
ments, and their fear was ns valuable
to him as their friendship would have
been. But he foil at last by the hand OF
his father in law and brother-in law In
their own yard lie had threatened their
lives, and they killed him in self defense.
Many people in Arkansas, Louisiana,
and Texas, will feel safer now that Baker
is dead