The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-08-07
ABINGDONSGREATTRIAL
EVIDENCE ADDUCED DESTROYING
THE POISONING THEORY.

Mrs. Bakers Brother on the Stand
His Testimony Favorable to DR..
Baker-The Niece of the Doctor on
the Stand-She Was Present at the
Death OF Her Aunt.
ABINGDON, VA, Aug. 6-The court con-
vened at the usual hour this morning with a
smaller attendance than usual, and the wit
nesses for the defense in the Baker poison
ing case were Immediately called.
Prof. James A. Davis of Emory, O
brother of Mrs. Baker, took the stand and
testified that the relations between DR..
Baker and his wife had always
been pleasant, devoted and all that
they should be. he never heard
rumors of Bakers conduct until after
the death of Mrs. Baker. He was not
present at his SISTERS death, but was at the
funeral, and DR.. Baker appeared very much
distressed. He had beard of the previous
trouble Mrs, Baker had experienced In
childbirth, aud of the danger and pain
attending the last one.
DIR. BAKERS NIECE TEsTIFIEs.
The principal witness examined To-day
was Mrs Clice, a niece of DR.. Baker, who
lives close to their home. Her testimony
was as follows II have always been on
the most intimate terms with my uncle's
family. saw Mrs. Baker frequently prior
to her death. In June she apprised me Of
her pregnancy, and afterward, on several
occasions, spoke of her apprehensions
OF the approaching period. l saw her
died, and she was in most
delicate condition, and could hardly move
about the house. She was not in bed, but
could not take exercise. She again told me
that she could not live. Wednesday morn
ing the day she died, one of her daughters
came for me in buggy. On reaching her
room found her with her other daughter
and her husband. Sac was lyingIon the bed,
very nervous and weak d. BAKER was at
her side. and Bessie was rubbing her feet.
After short while the family went 10 din
ner leaving her in charge of Bessie
DR. WILEY SENT FOR.
after dinner. about | O'Clock, she seemed
to get worse, and DR.. Baker sent a mes
senger to Abingdon for DR.. Wiley. DIR.
Baker came to her bedside and she threw
her arms around his neck saying, 'O darl-
ing love, am going to have a spasm.' DR..
Baker told her TO try and keep quiet; that it
was only her old trouble, and that DR.. Wiley
was coming. / was on the opposite
SIDE or the bed from DIR. Baker.
She suddenly grasped one of
my hands and said, Pray that my labor
may be short, and then went into convul-
sions and died in a few minutes. 1t was
shortly after o'clock, and DIR. Wiley had
not come. DIR. Baker was the first TO leave
the room. He was crying. The neighbors
were notified and began coming in. | sent
word TO Undertaken Baldwin to select a
suitable coffin and bring the embalming
| fluid. Mrs. Baker did not vomit while |
was with her,
The witness was here subjected to most
trying cross examination, as her evidence
destroys, 1t is believed, all the theories that
| Mrs. Baker died from poisoning. She stood
the questioning well, and was not confused,
but had several very lively spats with Mr..
| Wyson, one of the counsel for the common
wealth, IN which she held her own. With
the conclusion OF her evidence the court ad-
| journed until tomorrow.