Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-05-20
ONCE HANGED BY A MOB.
rowTRIED TO SEE II HE SHALL
RE HANG ED By THE LAW.

theodore
Naishbor's Wue-A Fight in which
the Husband was Kined-Lynched by
Citizens and Resuscitated by the Jailer
The Prisoner Tells How 1t Feels to
be Hanged.
From tbs Ne10 York Sun.
SANTA FE, n. NJ, May 10.-An inmate
ostbe Jail in this place Is Theodore Baker,
who is about to be tried for crime for
which he was once hanged. Baker was
brought here from Colfax county, where
his crime was committed, for safe keep
Ing, and, owing to the very remarkable
experience which he has had, he has been
treated with indulgence by his keepers.
About two years ago Frank S. Unruh, a
civil engineer, was married in German
town. Pa. and with his bride moved to
Trinidad, Col. Soon after going there
Unruh decided on taking ranch in Col
fax county, this Territory, and, after he
had arranged matters, he brought his
wife here. At first he stayed at home,
but as there was a steady demand for his
seryices as an engineer he gradually took
M with his profession again, and was
frequently away from home two or three
weeks at a time, leaving his young wife
practically alone in wilderness. She re-
monstrated with him for his conduct in
this respect, and finally, to quiet her, he
agreed to call on one of their neighbors
and see if something could not be done to
give her protection during mis- absence,
The nearest neighLor was Theodore Ba-
ker, a young and strapping pioneer, who
had located a ranch adjoining that of Un-
rub. and whose house was fully ten miles
away He proved to be of an accommOA
dating disposition, and bargain was
struck between him and the husband that
when the latter was away from home Ba-
ker would go over to the Unruh ranch
each night, and remain in the house with
Mrs. Unruh until morning. In this way
Baker and the young woman were thrown
together a great deal, and they became
quite friendly. Not many months elapsed
before the two men quarreled, and it was
with great difficulty that hostilities could
be avoided. Both were MasOns, and a
brother member of the order succeeded,
after careful diplomacy, in etfecUing
settlement between them.
Unruh then resumed his long trips on
surveying business, and Baker took care
of Mrs. Unruh and the stock. The hus-
bands peace of mind was Of short dura-
tion, however. On returning to his home
last December, he once again quarreled
With Baker, and the next morning the
dispute was renewed in the presence of
Mrs. Unruh. Before 1t had gone very far
Baker drew revolver and fired two shots
ut Unruh, killing him instantly. AS the
tragedy occurred many miles from a set
clement, Baker went TO the nearest neigh
Dor and got him TO send word to Trinidad
about the affair. The story told by Baker
was to the effect that the husband had
attacked him first without cause and that
be had shot in seh-defense. In this the
young woman cencurred. Five or six
men soon reached the ranch and
made a thorough examination OF
things. They found that the wounds
in Unruh's body indicated that he had
been shot when down, aud as Baker and
Mrs. Unruh appeared to be very fond Of
each other, they surmised that the muir
der had been arranged between them for
obvious reasons. IL was nearly a week
before the officers arrived, and when they
reached the place the OOdy had not vet
been buried. Taking Baker and Mrs. I'm
rub into custody ana loading the body
into a wagon, all were conveyed to
Springer, where an inquest was to be
held. Mrs. Unruh was held in $4,000
bonds. but before Bakers case had been
disposed OF a mob surrounded the Jail at
Springer on the night of Dec. q, CON-
PEELED the Sheriff to give up the Keys, and
took Baker out bareheaded and coatless
with the intention OF lVnching him.
Approaching the situation fully, and
realizing how futile would be any at
tempt at escape or appeal for mercy,
Baker said nothing and resigned himself
TO his fate. Not tar from the Jail be
noticed a rope with a moose at one end
swinging from the crossbar of a telegraph
pole, and a moment later the leaders of
the mob had the moose over his head,
while 20 men stood ready with the other
end OF the rope in their hands to hoist
him up. While he was in the act of
pulling off his boots some one gave the
signal to hoist, and before those who were
nearest the culprit knew it almost he was
kicking in the air. After hanging five or
ten minutes some one in the crowd
seized hold of Bakers legs
and pulled them down with all
his might. AS he then hung motiOnless
1t was assumed that he was dead, and the
lynchers feeling that they had done good
Job and saved the county considerable
expense, separated, and were soon dis
trlbuted about the various saloons. Tney
had hardly vanished when the taller ap-
peared on the scene, with three or four
citizens, whom he had hastily summoned
and the body of Baker was quickly cut
down and conveyed back to the jail. 1t
had been hanging Tor 10 minutes, and a
physician who was summoned pronounce
ed the man dead. There WAS no pulse,
and repeated examinations failed to re-
veal any movement OF the heart.
Nothing daunted by tne uniaYOrable re-
port of the doctor, the jailer insisted on
trying his hand at resuscitaLiOn. Order
ing liberal supply Of Springer whisky,
he began work on the body. First he
poured about 4 pint down Bakers
throat. Then he rubbed him, rolled him
over and over, and tried to walk him up
and down. Several citizens who dropped
IN began to take al interest in the matter,
and when one man got tired another took
the subject in hand. Daybreak found all
OF the tOilers nearly exhausted and Baker
apparently as dead as ever. One by one
the men came TO the conclusion that il
was useless tack, and tinaly all sat
down convinced that the prisoner had
gone beyond recall. After talking
awhile, and before separating, the men
concluded to try it once
more, and they gave the remains
furious shaking up. More WHISKY
was poured down the swollen throat, and
the body, now nearly nude, was rubbed
more vigorously than ever. After halt an
hours work the jaier was oyeU0yed by
the discovery that BAKER had opened his
eyes. Color began to appear in his face
and slight warmth was noticeable all
over his body. More whisky and more
rubbing had beneficial effect, and at .
O'Clock in the forenoon, more than eight
hours alter the lynching, Baker was able