The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-11-09
MISTAKEN FOR A BURGLAR
While Attempting to Protect His Daugh-
ter's House From Robbers. an Hon
cred Farmer is Accidentally Killed
with His Own Rifle.
SHOT DOWN.


Mr.. ThoS. w. Baird, one of Deer
Parks oldest citizens and Il well
known and prominent farmer of La
Sale county, was shot down at the
residence of his daughter, Mrs. Bull
lock- wife of the late DIR. Bullock, post
mistress of Nermillionville, between
nine and ten o'clock Saturday
evening.
Mrs. Bullock has been postmistress
of Nermillionville for several years,
the postotiicc being at her residence
Her father, Thos. w. Baird, an old
gentleman of sixty years, resided Just
across the road from her home and
has been her main dependence in case
danger to her life or property should
threaten. She has upon several Occa-
Sions been molested 10y burglars, a pair
OF whom robbed the poStOtfice OF money
and valuables. These were in part
recovered. After this robbery Mrs.
Bullock established a code of signals
with her father, danger or the pres
ence of danger being denoted by the
linging of bell. This was done upon
were captured.
nv lHtlttlll VI lIlDlItlll Ildu OC-
Cured at the Bullock residence for
several months, but at about nine
o'clock Saturday evening. when Mrs.
Bullock was about to retire, she heard,
or thought she heard, a person or per-
sons in the vicinity of her window.
She listened, and, being ladyof cXcit-
able temperament, began to believe
that burglars were about to break into
the house. She Immediately ran to
the window and rang her call bell for
her father.
Mr.. Baird, who was also about to re-
tire, hurriedly put on his coat and
rushed out of the house and across
the road to his daughters assistance.
When he arrived at the fence he turn
ed and called to his servant, an old
negro, who had been in his service for
eight or ten years, TO come and bring
the gum" and then went around the
corner of the house to investigate.
The negro, an elderly man, became
greatly excited, and catching up Mr..
Baird'S rifle, gun Of larg" bore. ran
across the road with his mind made
up to shoot the first head he saw. He
had just entered the gate when Mr.
Baird appeared, having made circuit
Of the house, and, not recognizing him
in the darkness, the moon being OBJ
Scured raised the rifle and fired. Mr.
Baird fell to the ground and instantly
expired, the rife ball having passed
through his brain, entering through
the eye and coming out at the back Of
the head.
Hearing the shot, Mrs. Bullock
shouted to the negro, asking if he had
hit anyone. TO his horror, he found
upon examination that he had killed
Mr.. Baird. He grew wild with grief
and Mrs. Bullock, alarmed by his
sounds, and at not hearing the voice
Of her father, rushed out en- diStdbiile
and terrible scene Of grief ensued.
When at lenght Mrs. Bullock became
calmer, the neighbOrhOOd was aroused
and Mr.. Baird was carried into the
house. a physician was sent for, but
all hope was diSSipatcd, as Mr.. Baird
died where he fell.
The usual COrOners inquest was held,
but it was decided that the killing was
accidental, as the negro was SO pros
trated by grief that he became nearly
insane. He was greatly attached to
Mr.. Baird.
The funeral Of Mr.. Baird occurs at
ten o'clock this morning.