The sun., 1878-08-12
P00LE'S MURDER RECALLED.
LEWIS BAKER, VINO sHOT HIN. DIES IN
PARIS ALMOST FORGOTTEN
The Tragedy that Deepened the Antagoni.m
Between the Foreigners aud the Know
NothinR--Bnker's Escape and his Capture.

Lewis Baker, who shot Bill Poole In New
York twenty three years ago. died in Paris on
Saturday His death recalls the excitement that
tho tragedy caused IN New York throughout the
country. as well rs the escape. recapture. and
discharge OF Baker. Lewis Baker was Welsh
man who came TO the United States when lad.
and after Jack all trades life got from Fer
nando Wood an appointment MS police officer.
His special duty was the care Of emigrants.
When the native American fever began to burn
in 1853. Baker took prominent part with those
who opposed the Know Nothing leaders. He
met a kindred spirit in John Morrisscy then set
down In the police records IA n pugilist. Nor
rissey's reputation as fighter in behalf Of Irish
men attracted Baker. and Bakers vehemcncc
in denouncing the prominent native American
won for him Morrissoy's friendship. Poole. n
Ninth Ward man. a hard hitter and plucky
fighter. pounded his way with his fists to the
leadership Of the small fry know-Nothings in
New York. Poole kept a barroom at Broadway
and Howard street. which was the resort OF all
the boys" who looked after the American par
ty's interests In the wards. Poole became an
idol after his fight with Morrissey. The two
men were looked upon as the champion bruis-
ers In each party. and every one knew that
sooner or later they would have battle. They
met on the pier Mt Amos street early one morn
ing in July. 1854 Poole had dared Morrissey
to meot him there and fight for sl00 and Nor
rissey accepted the challenge foolishly. his
friends told him. because Amos street was in
the Ninth Ward-Poole's home and the strong
hold OF the American party. Surrounded by
his friends Poole gave Morrssey severe
drubbing-so severe that the Trojan beloved
as he lay on the pier and Poole on top of him.
and gave in as beaten The encounter CALLED
Morrissey and his friends as much as IL IN
creased the reputation of Poole and his toadics:
II was a great victory for the Americans. and
Poole was at once marked by such men as
Baker. Paugeen." Jim Turner. and other
fighters who opposed the Americans as n man
TO be settled with, Poole was often warned
that these men would do him Injury. but he only
laughed, and there was no taunt that iniamed
Morrissey to see Bill Poole"
On the evening Of the oath Of February. 1855.
Tony Pastors Theatre now is Morrissey.
somewhat intoxicated was there. and he at
ton followed for an hour. At length Morrissey
drew his revolver and snapped II three times
close TO Poole's head. but 4 missed tire. The
out. but the officers let him go soon as they
got on the sidewalk. Morrssey drank deeply
and was taken home few hours later. That
who were arrested after Poole was shot, Poole
remained n the barroom, and shortly after
Gus roughl. jim" Turner. Lewis Baker. and
one or two other leaders Of the foreign element
entered. Iney nNd hcard OF the previous row
with Morrissey and set out, armed. 10 see What
they called fair play; Pooie, stood stood leaning
seized him by the coat collar.
You're II id pretty American hummer"
well, the boys say I'm their standard
bearer" Poole remarked
~ devil of standard bearer. I'm going to
Poole looked at Paugeen and laughed. and
then Paugeen coughed and spat three times
in Poolc's face. That appears 70 have been an
IA frttt4I Lat for n.E An a ROY
an enormous revolver that weighed twelve
pounds, and placed the muz.le on his left arm
Poole saw the movement and starting back
said: For Gods sake dent murder met
then he fred His hand must have been un.
steady for tho bullet passed through the arm
upon which he had rested the pistol, shaitering
T. and he fell 70 the floor. Raising himself on
his elbow he fred again, the bullet breaking
Poole's leg. Poole fell. and as he lay on the
floor Baker jumped on him and drawing a re-
yoiver fired twice Poole not even grooming
Then Baker jumped up. looked around tue
d A9S Boyes e0Paf S" f.sd S hat 9r RSG
Then he ran into the street
Poole :hd, stasEsrnfE to his ie' ,n,a SSid
pher street, He lived twelve days. After
tho bullets had lodged IN his heart Ills death
was recognized rs the culmnatio OF the Amer
ican party excitement, Poole the leader; had
bod, said: 81 die true American. and the
apothegm was caught up and sent broadcast
throughout the country. The Know Nothing
party set Poole up ms martyr TO the cause and
$4,000 Of them attended his funeral. For weeks
afterward II was not safe for any man to say n
word against the Americans. and II Baker could
have been found the police would have had all
they could do to prevent lynching;
one was asking for Baker. The police reported
that they could not find him. and said that he
Would & be- 50 safely ] secreted by his friends that
Judge Stuart was SO Disguised with the in
efficiency OF the ipoliee that he took the case
personally in hand. He said that Baker should
be caught II II cost 5000 and he organized
an amateur detective force. Soon nfterward
Councilman Kerrigan. Of the Sixth Ward. Po-
tician were arrested. Judge Stuart said that
they had aided in Bakers escape He learned
that on the night Of the murder Baker went 10
hng's gambling house IN Centre street and
stayed there until morning. At day0reak he
borrowed Police Officer Linn's coat and rode In
Third avenue ear 10 house up town. Thence
he WAS taken in close carriage 20 n resort in
wooster street. whore he remained until purse
had been made up for him; Early one morn
ing he was taken in u milk wagon To Jersey
City and concealed there Tor three days His
friends engaged passage for him. representing
that he was an invalid. in the ship Isabella
Jewett. bound for the Canary Islands
The police officials were greatly mortified
when II WAS shown that Judge Stuart had
beaten them easily. and they took hold Of the
case in earnest. Judge stuart wished to char
authorities at Washington offered revenue
cutter. Tho Counclmen passed Il resolution
Offering reward uf 50 900 Tor Bakers capture,
and the aid Of the Governor was sought. Judge
Stuart chartered one Of the fastest clippers in
port. fitted her in one day. and she sailed ON
the 18th Of March. Lieut.. Brush. with four
police officers. having the proper pupers.
There was no extradition treaty with Spain.
but Judge stuart thought that the authorities
at Palma, the chief city Ia the Canaries would
turn over Baker as a matter Of courtesy. The
clipper Grapeshot arrived at Palma ten days
before the Isabella Jewett, and tho Spanish
officials promised 10 do all in their power to
secure Baker. The Isabella Jewett was sighted
one morning sailing up the bay nj Palma. and
the Grapeshot put out 10 meet her. Baker was
found al the wheel. He was struck dumb
when he saw Lieut.. Brush aud Sergeant Rands
heads as they climbed up tho side of the
Jewett. On recovering his speech he told them
that they could not take him away from Spanish
We're going to-" Lieut. Brush said.
Then you'll kidnap mo-"
Call II what you like"
The Grapeshot came up New York bay on the
evening OF the 18th OF May. and anchored of
the Battery. Baker was taken to the Leonard
street police station The news spreAd through