davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-12-12
IS HE INNOCENT?
A Remarkable Letter to the Register,
from an Unknown Source.
THE BBKER MURDERS RECALLED,
By a Man Who Says he Helped to
Murder the Two Women.
A DETAILED STORY OF The CRIME.

Is Van B. Baker Innocent Of the terrible
crime of which he was twice convicted?
Tee great majority of the people fsmil-
lar with the history of the terrible tragedy
enscted ct Holidays Cove, have always
believed and contended that Baker wss the
murderer Of bis wife and mo;her-in-laW.
On the other hand, May have formed
and expressed the opinion, after careful
study Of the situation, that Baker could
not have committed the mOnstrOua crime
The arguments which had been carried
on pro and con, during the two years
and eigh, months elapsiDg since the dis
COveFy Of the bodies of the murdered
women by the husband of one OF them,
weIe practically erded during the few
days following ths late decision by the
Supreme Court of Appeals Of the State.
The minority seemed to have been silenced
by the events transpiriDg in ths Courts,
and to have all but come to the conclusion
that perhaps, after al, the twice-cOnvict
ed defendant was 10 reality the monster
depicted in the evidence for the State, and
with the transportation of Baker to the
peuilentiary at MoundsviIle the matter
seemed to have ended for the public, and
to be in fair way to pass quietly into q
fitting place in the criminal history OF tie
State and country.
But 1t seems the crime is not to be thus
allowed 10 pass into oblivion.
Almost coincident With ,kei's DOMINIC
TIE striped suit of the life convict, there
has come into the possession Of the REGIS
TER letter of very remarkable nature
q document eminently calculated 20 arrest
public attention throughout the Pan Han.
die counties of this State, sud in the con-
tigious territory of Ohio and P5nnsylvanis,
snd to revive il more or less decided
way, the belief Of innocence which for
merly, If not at present existing, found
place 10 the minds Of sOue OF those who
followed The history OF the case from first
10 last.
This letter the REGIsrER gives to the
public this morning, verbatim ct litera-
tim
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-12-12
Xmaa BareaIns

Ia diamonds. watches and fine jewelry.
Prices very lON. w. J. LUKENs,
No. 1858 Main street.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-12-12

BErrHArs Pills ac, like magic on a
weak stomach.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-12-12

THE best Ohio Valley" Coffee.
YOUR grocer has Electric Light Flour
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-12-12
Great Reduction

TRY Electric Light, you will use DO other
UsR Ohio Valley Coffee. It's The best.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-12-12

THEy are JUS. about nght-our new
line OF Cincinnati Shoes. Tor Ladies', at
A. 90 ]. III. LOCRE * Co,
1913 Main street.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-12-12

BUY your Fruit Cake from the Wheeling
Bakery %.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-12-12

WEAR Locke's own make Shoes at 81 80
J. II. LOCKE Il Co,
1913 Main street.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-12-12

False CLAIMS" t--morrow evening,
a. G-rmsnia Hall.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-12-12
The LargestIo stock at Rice's

EVERY ore should buy that elegant
Golden Fruit Cake at the Wheeling Blk
cry.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-12-12

WE now odsr the largest and finest lot
of Emit Cake tor the holidays IN the city.
WHEELING BAKERY Co.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-12-12

In diamonds, watches and rings. Opera
glasses 10 great variety, gold spsctacles
and eyeglasses. w. J. LJRENs,
No 1858 Main street.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-12-12
Hfm Adrfrtlstments.

L. 8. Coon ssjls Dry Goods the cheap
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-12-12
CARPET DEPARTMENT

Come from where you will We chal-
lenee you to produce the ,qusl ir price
and quality to Bny Of those we show 10
this immense apartment You cannot
outside OF this hon get such values a. We
offer during this sale in K yal Wltons--
Wiltons-Yelvtts- Mtq ltts- Body Brns-
sels-Tspestry Btuseels-- TOIee-Plis
ALI Weol, Extra Super - Cot
tou-Hemp--Rsg end Jnie Carpets
We have stock to select fom such A.
can't be seen elsewhere and prices 10
quote that will save you money. Qlai.
ity and prics 90 hand in baud here ara
quail values are given for money invested
WHEELING INSrALMENI co.
WHEELING IN
113G-3S-1O MAR
JOS. II. M'AKDLF, Manager.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-12-12

OsT-RED MEMORANDUM BOOK, CON
tanning bills. &c Finder will please return
to this oil or a. Thirteenth str ct, aud receive
reward delEQ
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-12-12

Dolls, Dolls. Dolls, Dolls, at RICE's,
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-12-12

RE,isBURG at G5rmsnia Hall, tO-mor
row night.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-12-12
Please print this and send copy to Chicago pa
pers 10 pub ish.
MAN NUMBER H.
HOW TT WAS RECEIVED

Among the letters brought TO this Office
yesterday morning, was one contained in
a small white envelope. 1t was three by
four AID ihTee-fonrths inches in sis, aud
was addressed
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-12-12

XITANTED TO DO WASHING FOR FAMl-
w lies, ~ piece or dozen. Satisfaction guar
anteCd tall AT this office. dei3A
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-12-12

InpapeScS mok ipg Jackets nj Riee's.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-12-12
P0RPOISE SHOES! EXTRA OFFER!

henS POrpOSe Winter shoes This is
water proof and the best leather POrpoe
generally
enable 20 offer this lot at THREE DOLLARS Fifty
CENTS PER PAIR.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-12-12

Fancy Goods AT KICE's.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-12-12

,rsel by the heads of the Great universities
81 and most lItalthtul pr Prices Cream
" Alum Dr Prices Delicious Flavorin4 l.s-
, Do uotcouAin Poisonous Olsor Chemicals.
Now Yort. Chicago. ST. Louis.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-12-12

"Union Halter and Fdrnisher," ms
MrLnre House, Wheeling, W. Va.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-03-28
ARKANSAS PASS RAILROAD.

The Company Wants Time to
Complete the Austin Branch.
The following letter, received yesterday
| by Messrs. Castleman, Woodbridge and
Saunders, explains itself:
SAN ANTONIO, Texas, March %, 1899.
Messrs. r. NJ. Castleman, A. P. Woodbridge and
e. Saunders, Railway Committee, Austin, Texas
Gentlemen-I have just concluded an
interview with the Lockhsrt, Luling and
Gonzales railway committee, in which
they agree to affirm their original agree
ments for cash donations and right-of-
way and depot grounds, extending time
for completion of our road to Lockhart to
September 1.
To carry our road to Austin we should
require the time extended to January 1,
1890, with a proviso that failure to COM
plete our bridge across Colorado river be-
fore April l, 1890, should not work for
feiture of our donations, provided the
track was completed to west side of river
by January l, and work was being pushed
upon bridge without unnecessary delay to
com pletion. This bridge clause is simply
a precaution. We have a fine all-iron
bridge now under contract, to cost $l1O,-
900 complete. There has been no time
since August last when it was safe to try
very much work upon our piers, and we
only wish to guard against Interruptions
by high water.
All my agreements with the other COM
mittees are based on the non-passage of
any restrictive laws by the legislature at
this session. We have now about 400
miles of new road, which We have made
arrangements to build, but if the railroad
bills now pending should become laws, it
will absolutely prevent our building a
single mile of it. Personally, have faith
in the good sense of the people of Texas,
and cannot believe that, just as the bright
est days in the development of her dor
mant resources are dawning they will throt-
tie the most potent agency in its accom-
plishment. We have met with many dis
appointments in our efforts to provide
the capital for the completion of the road
to your city as originally proposed, and
have only now been able to complete
negotiations for the necessary capital, on
my personal assurance that there would
be no adverse railway legislation in Texas
by this legislature. Ii the contrary should
be the case the capital will be withheld.
Yours truly, U. LOTT,
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-03-28
THE DIAMOND.
Personnel of the Austin Base
Ball Team.
A Fine Body of Fine Looking
Men to Do Fine Playing.

After extraordinary efforts by Mr.. Joe
Barbisch and other pushing wide-awake
young business men, the Austin team OF
base ball players has been fully organic I'd
and it is hummer.
Each of the players has q splendid rec
ord, and the lovers of the diamond sport
will have no end of pleasure during the
ball season. They are Industrious, quiet
and gentlemanly, and they propose to
play good ball and make interesting
sport.
Mr.. John T. Magner, of Austin, is
manager of the team, and he has the fol-
lowing array of superb players, making q
team which overshadows all others in the
state.
W. L. Yeaze', Troy, o., pitcher; Bert
Anderson, Dallas, Tex, pitcher; Geo. Am
mon, Vicksburg, Miss, catcher; VIM. An
drews, Bevier, Mo-, catcher; Mike Corners,
Chicago, first baseman; Harry TRULY,
Wheeling, w. Va, second baseman; VIM.
Mussey, ST. Louis, third baseman; Jno. A.
Tobias, left fielder; Jno. T. Magner, st.
Louis, center fielder; John j. Ryan, st.
Louis, right fielder.
Mr.. Chas. Bronson, catcher for last sea-
oOA NoAAS'V1 AAoh'y V0ohly Will Oo RiNCh
trial by Manager Magner the coming
week. He is quite an unass umipg gentle-
man, and has made many friends here
during the week who wish to have him
meet with success.
The uniform selected for this season is
the Cincinnati uniform-navy blue shirt
and pants, bright red caps, belts and
stockings; white letters, Austin, across tie
shirt.
Wagner, Bright, Tobias, Corners and
Ryan are here and practicing daily, all
looking in fine condition and trim. Mus
sey will arrive this morning, the balance
of the team will be here not later than
Wednesday.
Waco claims two out of three games of
the first series with the Austin club, but
Magner says he can't see it this way, as
he is figuring on three straights from
Waco.
The dates for games here in Austin will
be announced in few days.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-03-28
Governmental.

The following amendments to charters
were filed yesterday in the office of the
secretary of state:
The Nueces Land and Cattle company
providing for seven directors instead OF
three.
The Fort Worth Live Stock and Land
company, providing for seven instead of
three directors.
The San Antonio Ranch company, pro-
Viding for seven directors instead of
three.
The Cacachillas District Gold and Silver
Mining company of San Antonio, capital
stock 100000, filed a charter. Incorpora-
tors; Plutarco Ornelas, L. Orynski,
James V. Dignowity and Charles W.
Ogden, of San Antonio; Felix Gilbert, of
La Psz, Lower California; and Manuel M.
de Zamacona Yuclsn, of the City of
Mexico.
The following counties paid interest on
money borrowed from the school fund
yesterday:
Anderson, Bexar, Harrison, Smith and
Walker.
County tax fund paid in amounted to
$15,162.
Deposits to the school fund were $15,-
2S2, and to general revenue, $12, 100.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-03-28
A Voice From the Panhandle.
CANADIAN Cry, March q, 1885

CANADIAN CRY, March 81, 1889.
Special Correspondence of the Statesman.
The people of the Panhandle are at
present deeply interested in an act called
the validating Act" which is now before
the legislature.
This act is of interest, not only to the
Panhandle, but to the whole state of Texas
as we'll, from the fact that the states
reputation is at stake.
Under the law of 1883 the land board, as
the states agents,sold school land to man y
people who complied with the rules fixed
by thu board.
The supreme court has decided the sales
valid. Many of the original purchasers
have sold out to people who did not con-
template settlement themselves, for the
supreme court in Burke VS.. Taylor,
&C Texas, had decided such purchase
good when it could be shown that the
original purchaser had made such settle
ment on the land as would show good
faith.
Now, the Legislature proposes to validate
such sales only in cases where the pur-
chaser or his vendee was an actual settler
on January l., 1889. leaving all other cases
without relief and with the purchasers
money IN the states Golfers.
Instances are not wanting in which
original purchasers have received large
sums for their rights ;they with the money
received have taken up wild land and
made new Improvements, thus helping the
growth of the country.
The Panhandle furnishes many cases of
this kind.
These people, relying on the land board
as the states agents and supreme court
decision have,it appears, been deceived by
the state and induced to invest money to
be appropriated by the state without the
return of corresponding benefit.
This may be the correct thing for q
state to do, but to the man who has paid
his money to the state it looks like swim
ding.
An individual who obtained money in
such a way would be guilty, under the
law, of obtaining money under false pre-
lenses, but great state is beyond such.
The state of Texas cannot afford to be
dishonest, and those who make
her laws mistake the feelings
of her people if they think
they will be pleased to have the states
good name furnished with such transac-
ton.
The only honest law that can be passed
on this subject is one validating all the
purchases in cases where the law of 1883
and the rules of the land board, the states
agents, have been complied with by the
purchaser or his vendee. Anything short
of this is simply robbery.
This is of great importance to the PEG.
pie of the Panhandle, and she expects her
representatives to do their duty.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-03-28
BIDS OPENED.
The County Commissioners Open
Bids for Barton Creek Bridge.

The County Commissioners Open
Bids for Barton Creek Bridge.
The county commissioners, in session
yesterday, opened bids for constructing q
bridge across Barton creek, near Mr..
Rabb's.
They were as follows.
Kansas City Bridge company, stone
piers, $4,940; iron piers, $4,000; span
alone, $3.50.
Berlin Bridge company, stone piers,
$4,000; Pratt's Trust, $500.
Penn Bridge company, iron piers, So
100.
Milwaukee Bridge and Iron company,
$4,000.
King Iron Bridge and Manufacturing
company, 1895.
Missouri Valley Bridge company, So
040.
Smith Bridge company, $5,225.
Lane Bridge and Iron works, stone
piers, $1,175; iron piers, 1900; span, 49,
575; span, $2S25.
Pittsburg Bridge company, superstruct-
ure, $3.50.
Francis Fischer, stone piers, $1,875.
Fuhrmnnn Bros, stone piers, 1885.
Jas. BeIger, two spans stone arch, so feet
each in the clear, $4,000.
Missilla Bridge company, $3,950.
A. M. johnson, $3,949.
Weber d Co., stone piers, slips.
The award will not be made until Mon
day or Tuesday.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-03-28
Musical News,

Messrs. Thos. Goggan g. Bro, of Gal
weston, the music men of Texas, have
bought the entire stock of the late firm of
H. H. Hazard d Co., including all pianos,
organs and other musical instrum ents,
sheet music, ETC., ETC., Lock, stock and
barrel" and have paid for the same in cold
cash. They have also taken the lease on
the building formerly occupied by Messrs.
Hazard & Co., and will take possession at
once and continue the business there.
Since the establishment of their branch
house here, the Messrs. Goggan's have
built up very large business and the as
sured permanenoy of their business inter
ests here is matter of congratulation to
Austin, for they are wide-awake progress
sive men who have at heart the interests
of every city where they have located.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-03-28
A COMPLIMENTARY PICNIC.
Beautiful Young Ladies Have O
Most Delightful Time.

That was happy picnic party the other
afternoon mplimentary to Miss Mamie
Pierce, charming young lady of south
west Texae, who has been visiting the
family of Major George W. Littiefeld for
several weeks.
IL was about O'Clock in the afternoon
when the party, some in buggies and some
on horseback, in charge of Major and
Mrs. Littlefeld, left the city for the
romantic region around Mount Bonnet.
1t was clear, delightful afternoon.
From over matchless plains and hills and
valleys balmy south breeze, redolent of
myriads of wild flowers, dreamily came,
and infusing new life into the happy
young folks UNNECESSARILY added to their
pleasures. The ride out to the traditional
mountain was gleeful one, and once
there the happy party scrambled up its
side, and viewed the incompatible land
scape from its summit. Never were hap
pier people together, and never before
did they see such glorious scene.
All nature smiled, and amid purling
brooks and songs of birds and perfume of
flowers greeted the delighted young peo-
pie and bade them make merry. The
young ladies, bright, beautiful and viva
cious, with their escorts rambled over hill
and dale, enjoying the beautiful scenery,
until called in by Major and Mrs. Little
field, who had spread an elegant lunch pre-
pared for the occasion. After lunch the
party returned to the city, having had a
most delightful time, and just such as
Major Littlefeld and Mrs. Littlefeld have
the happy knack of preparing for their
guests, who on that afternoon were as fol
lows:
Misses Mamie Pierce, Libbie White,
Alice Dowell, May Evans, of Kentucky;
Miss Seeligson, of Galveston; Lena Al
derson, Maud Wooten, Bernie Smith.
Mady Hart, Tommie Wooten, Derie Smith
and Mesdames Littlefed, Dilworth ard
Ryan; Messrs. j. j. Butts, s. II. johnson,
Senator Armistead, John Houghtop, Irv;u
Daniel, d. H. Hart, A. o. Watson, G. H.
Miller, A. 7. Patrick and Representative
Carwile.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-03-28
Indian Depredations IN Texas.

Advance copies of a most interesting
volume entitled "Indian Depredations in
Texas" by j. W. WIlbarger, have Just
been issued by the Hutchipg's Printing
house, of this city. The book contains
nearly 700 pages, and is devoted excIu-
sively to Indian battles and massacres in
Texas from the earliest times. It has been
almost the life work of Mr.. Wlbarger,
who spent years in going from house to
house through the state collecting reliable
data. By his patient research, Mr.. Will
bRrger (who is an old Texan) has gathered
material to make a most readable book,
and thus to preserve and make historical
a great mass of information, which, in q
few years, would otherwise have been lost
forever. We believe that it is the only
book of any size of the kind
ever issued, which is devoted exclusively
to Indian murders and massacres in Texas.
All through the book are found graphic
descriptions of battles fought under the
leadership of such noted Indian fighters
as Jack Hays, Ben and Henry McCulloch,
"Big Foot" Wallace, John s.. Ford, Mat
thew (Old Saint Caldwell, Gov. L. S. Ross
and Others, and the reader can there learn
of their achievements in protecting the
frontier of Texas. Even casual perusal
of this book will satisfy anyone that
Texas has better right to be styled the
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-03-28
Deafness Can't be Cured

By local application, as they cannot reach
the disc ased portion of the ear. There is
only one way to cure Deafness, and that is
by constitutional remedies. Deafness is
caused by an infamed condition of the
mucus lining of the Eustachian Tube.
When this tube gets infamed you have a
rumbling sound or imperfect hearing,
and when it is entirely CLOSED Deafness is
the result, and unless the inflammation can
be taken out and this tube restored to its
normal condition, hearing will be de-
stroyed forever; nine cases out of ten are
caused by catarrh, which is nothing but an
inaamed condition of the mucus surfaces.
We will give One Hundred Dollars for
any case of Deafness (caused by Catarrh)
that we cannot cure by taking Halls
Catarrh Cure. Send for circulars, free.
F. j, CHENEY g. CO., Toledo, O.
.8g Sold by Druggists, 75c.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-03-28

ness, both selling goods and buying pro-
duce, and having establishments larger
than are usually seen in town of this
size.
j. F. Cook Co. are exclusive grocers,
doing large business.
s. s. Olive d Co., prosperous general
merchandise house, is composed OF young
men who go at business in way and with
an energy that means success.
In drugs, II. @. Whitney has a large and
prosperous local business, and a large
jobbing trade with western Counties.
In hsrdwsre,is Churchill Bros. ard T. W.
Smith, both houses long established and
prosperous.
Barnes & Russell represent farm
machinery, wagons, buggies, ETC., and
have the state agency for a number of
standard articles in this line.>
j. @. Mckee is an extensive buyer of pc
cans, hides and furs,an deals in salt, fence
wire, etc.
The sadilery business is repre-
sented by large establishment under
the typical western name of "Cow-boy
Depot" Jones g. Thomas, proprietors.
The lumber trade, which is very large at
Burnett, as it supplies an extensive terri
tory, is conducted by Christian g. Allen
and Gus Grove g. Co., each yard repre-
senting a capital of from $4,000 to $780,,
600. M. Hockwald, general merchant,
also handles a stock of lumber.
The livery establishments of the town
are Berry & O'Hair, j. p. Garrett and W.
w. Brooks, all first class in this line.
There are many other smaller yet
prosperous houses in the various branches
of trade, making town that, as before
said, Is really a city in its trade,
The legal profession counts among its
members in Burnet: j. G. Cook, I. E.
Hammond, W. o. Baker, W. Fl. Erwin, j.
berville.
The medical profession: Drs. G. W.
Christian, W. II. Westfall, G. j. McFar-
land, A. j. Culbertson, Jas. S. Watson,
Stewart s. Watson and 7. G. Cheatham.
Land and Insurance agents. Timber
lake g. Watson, j. Moses and General A.
R. johnson. The last named has been
for many years one of the leading real
estate men in Texas, and has
been engaged in many other
enterprises, the last of which
and successful one was the founding of
the new town of Marble Falls, which, in a
short time, has built up until it is re-
garded as rival of Burnett Situated as
it is, at the famous Marble falls, and sur
rounded with splendid natural resources,
it seems destined to become, ALL 10 dis
tant day, large manufacturing and To-
dustrial center. Since the first tale Of
lots it has grown into a town OF 400 peo-
pie without railroad facilities. But the
railroad is now within few miles of it,
and it will be there by the LIST of May. So
that May 81, the day fixed for the next
public sale of lots, those who have not
seen the coming city and the splendid
water power can reach it by the iron horse
instead of the buggy horse or saddle horse
Boils, pimples. hives, ringworm, letter
and all other manifestations of impure