The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1889-11-16
lHE MASSACRE OF BA-
YOU BOEUF.
Felix Il. Baker of st. Martinsvill,
the Insane Man.

Became Violently and Suddenly IDsan,
While on his way Home, from Nashville
The unfortunate affair which resulted
III the killing of one man and the wound
ing OF three or four others at b yo,
Boeuf. by man supposed to be an i'm
sane tramp, unknown in that neighbor
hood, created intense excitement and
comments. The crazy man af,eI
having accomplished his bloody worA
took SIX III TO make his escape, Wa,
Killed while i'll the skiff, fell over board
and remained i'll the water two days
proved 10 be Felix z. Baker, son of Mon.
roe Baker, a highly esteemed and respect.
ell colored nan, IA life long resident Of
st. Martinyille.
Tile very same day that this unfortu-
nate affair occurred, the trunk of Baker,
who was returning from Nashville, Tenn,
where he has been visiting friends and
relatives since about month OF so, ar
rived at the railroad depot at this place,
but nothing had been heard of Baker, ex-
cept he had called Oh a friend at New
Orleans and had left.
His family became suspicious and tele-
graphed To several friends in New Or
leans and other places to make inquiiles
as to his whereabouts. but none of them
answered, and their suspicion was there
by increased.
The particulars of the affair al Bayou
BOnef was read here ami commented up
Oh on our streets. but as every one be-
lieyed the deed To have been committed
by demented, no one had the least idea
that ii could he Baker, who was man Of
education, printer by trade, a mau
quiet in his manners, very polite and
peaceful, never having been in any trou-
bles before, and he always dressed well,
never showed any sign of insanity. But
when the body was recovered aud his
descriptions published i'll the city papers
were seen by his paren,s, they at once
recognized the man 10 be Felix Z. Bakef
who was missing. The family immedia-
ly proceeded to Morgan City to take au-
thority to eXhume tht body. and found
on their arrival there, the brain and
lungs of the dead MAJ, which had been
taken by the Coroner at the inquest aI!d
preserved. They were also shown the
articles found on the to, y, consisting OF
a velvet pocket book, a cOmmutation,
ticket upon which was the name Of Ba-
ker and Other articles which were recO-
gnizpd by his ather anu bIttheI.
Ii appears that Baker had taken pas
sage on the Morgan train rom New Or
leans on We nes,iay the 9th inst, and
while on the train the Conductor per-
cieved that h. showed signs of insanity
as he said he was pursued by posse Of
IUen who wanted to kill him. He was
assured by that official that he would not
be hurt, but he becamr more and mo e
troubled with that idea, and got off the
train at Schrpyer, unseen by the COnduc-
tor. At this time being rayiug maniac
he walked his way TO Bayou Bouef and
there, We presume, while in violent
spell of insanity, committed the horrible
butchery which has cost him his lite.
His family never perceived in his
manners and dOings any gn OF insanl-
ty, tut some five years ago he was ap-
pointed mail m, So niger % run between
New Orleans and Huston, aud OH his first
tIip h. acted exactly in the same way
as ne did in this instance, saying he was
shit while at work in the car, took his
clothes off and Jumped ilCm the car
which was running at speed of 20 miles
an hour, passed one whole night i'll the
woods and walked some 20 miles to take
another train to return home, his story
although denied by the train officials
was given credence here, as when he re-
turned he showed not the least sign of
a deranged mind. and gave his story of
the affair in a clear and concise manner.
The belief now is that he had at that
time. an attack of insanity.
Mr.. Monroe Baker and hi' son, Gus
taye. retured from Bayou Bouef Wednes-
day evening, bringing home the articles
which were found on the body Of his son.
After visiting the place where he was
hurried. it was decided not to eXhume the
hody which was too advanced in decom-