New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-15
LEWIS BAKERS LAST DAYS.
WHY HE WENT TO EUROPE IN 1S71-PoLIcE CAP
TAI& WALSH DOES NOT THINK he SHOT BILL

WHY HE WENT TO EUROPE IN 1871-PoLIcE CAP
TAIS WALSH DOES NOT THINK he SHOT " BILL"
PooLE-HIs PROPERTY IN NEw-YoRK.
fPRoM SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNEl
SARATOGA, N. Y, Aug. 14.-Several police
officials, politicians, gamblers and turfmen VINO are
Lewis Baker, the alleged murderer OF Bill
Poole, surprised at thS contradictory reports
about him. They say that be went 20 Europe in 1871
fearing prosecution on of bis connection with
the crimes of the Tweed Ring and that he has not been
IN NewYork more than since that time. They are
not inclined to doubt the report OF bis death In Paris
and say that he had sufferer from kidney disease
for two three years.
Police Captain Walsh said to-day that he last
saw Lewis Baker in FourteenJb-st, New-YOrk
eighteen twenty months ago. Baker had come to the
city from Europe only two days before He talked with
Baker for nearly three hours, Baker giving him long
Of his travels in Europe Baker said that dur
ing Of the time his departure from 6ewYcrk
he had lived in Paris. He had not visited New-York
after his flight until that time. He seemed home
sick he liked Paris better than any other place he had
been In except HewYOrk but he anxious to return
to Manhattan Island to remain. Captain Walsh ex-
pected Baker again within day or two but on
the day Baker suddenly returned 10 Europe hav-
ing heard that Indictment had been found against
him. Captain Walsh said that Baker, far as lie knew
was never In NewYork afIerward, and he believed that
be should have known IL II the fugitive had appeared
there again number OF other persons who knew
Baker well confirmed the that lac has been in
this country only once since 1871.
Captain Walsh declared that there could be no founda-
ton for the report that Baker had obtained contracts
from the Department Of Public Works while George NJ
Van Mort was Commissioner. He had the contract for
sand for Harry " Genets Harlem Court House aud
other ring contracts, but lie left The country at 700
early date tO get contracts while Mr. Van Mort
in office. lie owned property which was probably
worth 100000 In 1871. He formerly had some tene-
ment DOsps the Seventeenth Ward but he sold these
and bought real estate In YOrkyiile. He not at AL
extravagunt IN ms tastes, did not spend much money
aud IL was ikey that he in good circumstances
during the last year Of his bfe in 1871. He drank
very freely until his physicians forbade on account OF
bis disease. In Paris, he heque ted the
bar-rOom Of James Cooney, au EngNshman,
who had been this country and familiar with the
tastes uf Americans COOney employed American bar
tenders aud his place In Paris favore resort OF
exIcs aud travellers from the United states VINO were
fond OF mixed driuks made the manner popular on
this side of the Atlantic. James NJ Sweeney as' visited
Coonry place often. lie very anxious TO retu TO
NewYor and said repeatedly that he would prefer liY
ing IN New-York IN garnet and with only dime day
rather thaB iO remain In Europe In luxury. Bakers
longing 10 get hack 70 the American metropolis was not
intense sweeney. but II was very strong Captain
Walsh SAID, In cOneiusUn that bo felt confident that
Baker did not shoot Poole, but that the fatal shot was
fired by Turner.