The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-08-15
SLAIN AT PRAYER MEETING.
Terrible Tragedy at Religious Revival I'm
Texas.


Terrible Tragedy at a Religious Revival In
Texas.
From the San Antonio Express.l
There was Methodist camp-meeting
under the leadership of Messrs. Lam
caster and Joyce, in progress on the st.
Geronimo, about three miles west of
Seguin, and considerable feeling had
begun to be manifested. On Sunday a
large crowd was in attendance, and again
on Monday night, when the number
reached about 600 or 700 persons. The
preaching had concluded and mourners
were at the bench seeking their souls
salvation. There had been alternate
praying and singing, with call for those
who wished the prayers of their friends
to come forward. MIR. John L. Baker,
with friend. had been occupying the
background behind the arbor, and they
then separated, his friend taking seat
In the congregation and Baker going
toward the center aisles as if to go for
ward, but, hesitating, he leaned on the
bench with both hands on the back OF
the same, and on his left, almost touch
ing shoulders, was Pick j. Burgess, a
young and intimate friend, while to the
right, and very close, was Mr.. j. L.
Fulgham, and in front sat Miss Doug
lass. To the rear some few feet, and
under a tree, were several gentlemen,
and all about were persons engaged IN
watching and listening to the services
near the altar. The moon was shining
brightly and the grounds were illumin-
ated by lamps and lanterns, one hanging
on a tree very near by where Baker was
standing.
The preacher, Mr. Lancaster, had just
been praying with the mourners, and
was rising, singing, and the congre-
CATION doing likewise, when man, with
determined, cool deliberate tread, passed
the gentleman by the tree, walked up to
the left of where Baker was standing,
and in full glare of the light raised a
pistol, and, as Baker was turning his
head toward him, within probably about
twelve or fifteen inches, fired the fatal
bullet through and through the head OF
John u. Baker, scattering his brains
over Miss Douglass in front, and Pick
Burgess and Mr.. Fulgham, and powder
burning these gentlemen. Then stepping
backward two or three steps with pistol
in hand, with ali the grace of a finished
tragedian, he gave one glance a. his
fallen victim. to make sure that his
murderous deed had been well done,
and, being satisfied passed out to the
rear and right of where Baker lay,
broke into run, reached ready horse
in wait, mounted, and, being joined by
friends, rode off until yet to parts un-
known. No pen can faithfully portray
the scenes that followed. At first every
body, even those who saw the fatal shot
fired, were paralyzed with horror, and
moved not, when suddenly Pick Bur
CESS, recovering himself, sprung toward
the assassin, but, realizing his defense
less condition, and being warned of his
folly, he stopped. AT first no one in
the congregation knew what had hap
pened, many supposing that the shot
had been an accidental explosion, and
others that some rowdy boys were try
ing to raise disturbance, but soon the
cry arose, "Jobn Baker is killed when
a most indescribable jam ensued, the
wildness of which beggars description.
Men broke and ran, women screamed
and tainted and were thrown into hys-
terics ana pandemonium reigned SUI
preme. Soon Bakers head was raised,
the blood washed from it, and he lived
about three-quarters of an hour, but
never returned to consciousness.