The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1879-03-06
Baowxsv1LLE, KY. Feb. 20, 1879.

EDITORS JOURNAL: Win mucn pleas
ure the old triends of Capt. h. D. Baker,
1t his old home 10 kentucky, see IN your
issae of the 10th inst. the announcement
of hts appointment - sheriff Of Saline
county. We are proud to SEQ our old
friend and companion in arms, enjoying
the confidence of the people with whom
hS las cast his lot and made h's new
homo in the west, and also Of other Por.
tions Of his adopted State, - shown By
tho complimentary notice of his appoint
meot by the Topeka Commonwealth.
Capt H. D. Baker was born and rails
ed in Edmundson county, Kentucky, and
removed to Sallns. Kansas, 1t about the
age Of q years. HE father, Dr.. John
II. Baker, Was An eminent physician, and
man of rs6nement and culture. He
was the leading spirit OF the neighbor-
hood in which 10 lived, He wss a. en-
ergetic and enserpriaing man sad the
founder OF the Noiyn Furnsoe and lror
works, having spent mach money
in our county building and running
these works. When the late war broke
ont DR.. Baker took bold stand IN fav.
or of the union Of the states, and though
old, did not spare money, time nor CON-
fort, but rendered such service and -.
distance % was in his power, BY giving
die influence, labor and money to the
support of hrs country. This he did
in the spirit Of . genial, social and cour.
aeeous man. 10 did not make war up.
on his neighbors nor upon unarmed and
helpless persons, but like brave man
who, though then moro than d years
old, won't into the field and exposed him.
self at bis advanced age to the hardships
Of camp life, administering TO the wants
and neoessities OF the sick and suffering
soldiers. He was tho intimate friend
and associate OF our late and lamented
Senator James Guthrie, Attorney Gene
raj Speed, and many of Kentucky's lead
ing statesman, who with him stood firm
| 70 their country's cause bat after the
long and msny hardships undergone fo1
bis country, no returned to his home
with Joy, and in the language Of the 10
mentsd Lincoln, "with malice toward
mono and charity for ALL" But not 90
with his oowardly enemies. The doctor
and hrs family having decided TO move
70 Kansas was preparing, and the time
tor their departure tor your State hav'
ing almost arrived-the Wednesday fol-
lowing being the time 6xed-whsn q
cowardly assassin stsalthily crept to
within . short distance of the old mans
dwelling and in the morning when be
walked out in the yard, shot him dead,
from bis concealed position. The old
man was about 20 years of age when
killed, and did not suppose no had an
enemy so cowardly.
Young Baker, then being about 81
years Of age, together with his elder
brother, John s. Baker, bis mother and
sister, moved to Sslina-
And now Mr.. Editer, allow me to say
70 you and through your much valued
paper to tho people of Saline county,
and to all with whom Capt. Baker may
DO associated, that the warmeet and
iecpost emotions Of sympathy and
friendship of . large circle OF friends
followed this family to Kansas, and yet
entwiues around their little circle.
Capt. Baker and myself enlisted in
Company "B" of the 35th regiment Of
Keatucky Mounted Infantry Volunteers.
was Let Lieutenant of his company and
40 served out the full term OF enlistment
together. and though Capt. Baker was
ooly Is years of ago when commissioned
- Captain, he IVES . prompt, generous,
and brave (boy) Captain. He was the
youngest officer Of our regiment, and
one Of the best officers. His men loved
him, and for myself, must say have
been with him when the souis of men
we're tried. I always found him kind,
omen hearted. generous, and brave. and
IAN satisfied that his oosrss and con-
dsss among the people Of Kansas will
be such that they will never have cause
to regret any preferment which il may
be his good fortune TO receive at their
hands. 0irfg. -1a r. C. HAzELiP.