Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-05-09
WIFE'S CONFESSION
q, Poisoned Her Husband and Her
Lover His ConsOft.
ABNGDoN's SENSATION.
,r People Of Hjgh Standing Indicted for
Great Crimes.
na BAKER AND MRS. GlLMER.
1ssse Are the Names Of the Accused
Persons.
TELL TALE LETTERS.
wy NiSiVes Of Affection Cause the
Revelation.
| STRYCHNINE IN MEDICINE.
g. Small Doses One Victim Killed, the
Other Receivers.
THE DOCTORS DENIAL.
r, Denounces the Whole story as a False
hood and Protests His Innocence
Course of the Defence.
The DOCTORS DENIAL.
II, Denounces the Whole Story as n False
hood and Protests His Innocence
Course of the Defence.

dependence of the Richmond Dispatch.l
igNdDoS, Va, May 7.-As your readers
t,1v. the good people of Washington
gr,,5l are much excited over the arrests
tpr. John O. y. Baker and Mrs. Gilmer,
- one charged with poisoning his wife and
10 other with a similar attempt upon the
h If her husband. The social standing
each Of the parties is high and their re-
stons are the most prominent citizens in
II. and adjoining counties. They were
crested last Sunday.
MODEL MAN.
Dr. Baker Il ff,y years Of age, and was born
--u,nos west Of Abingdon, whore he has been
.,-,Ianch his profession In almost every family in
=. Beiehb borhood for the past thirty years. Heis
,-,r of fine appearance, being nearly six feet
al ard weighing two hundred pounds He car
-. himself eroctly and walks with elastic step,
-u.r evidence Of wel-preseryed youthful vigor.
p. B. gifted with moro than ordinary mental en-
.vrent- and Is a fine conyersationalist. He
graduate Of Emory and Henry College,
,-ibenr a close observer and a diligent stu
..., has acquired q fund Of information that
nae, hiia at all times pleasing and entertain
IN The CHURCH.
p.msrricd early in life Miss Davis, the sis
,,d Professor James A. Davis, who for num-
,,o' years was professor Mt Emory and Henry
College and was well known throughout the
safe Dr. Baker has been q prominent men,
=. q the Methodist Episcopal Church for
,.rber Of years, and has always taken lively
-,srest in the work Of Christ. The Bakers
4,pel. costing g., 900, which was erected on his
hra. stands as a living monument 70 this fact.
ABEAUrIFUL cRURCH-MMBER.
grs. Cilmor is about thirty-three years Of age.
- vas n Miss Cecil, and was reared In
p.,.si county, where she married Mr.. Gllmer.
! - Il a handsome woman, and one that
so7M attract attention; has lovely dark-blue
ora, AMI luxuriant growth OF auburn hair,
V-i.n she wears coiled on the back OF her head.
So e a woman OF pleasant address, and has
lsss mu,h admired for her beauty. She also
y. a member of the Methodist Episcopal
d nh anl attended services at Bakers chapel
10 niles from her husbands home
Ys. Ms. Gllmer and DR.. Baker were men,
~, q the same church. They lived only two
s.i half miles apart. Their farms almost
lt5.led one another.
NEIGHBoRLY INTIMACY.
he families Of DR.. Baker and Mr.. Gilmer
ve on the best Of terms, certainly as far as the
i r.tlc knows Often Dr. Baker could be seen at
a-hme Of Mr. Gilmer and Mr.. Gilmer at the
nne q Dr. Baker. This pleasant neighborly
lamary continued for many years, DR.. Baker
eng the family physician and enjoying the full
| ,rf fence and respect of his neighbors.
/ III ireluent visits about three years ago TO Mr..
| Olners house aroused the suspicious OF the
-ssltors and created much small talk ana un-
ysssaut gossip, which Increased ana grew uhtu
| ffes-hed the ears OF the church ofrcials, VINO
n6l,tt IL necessary TO make an investigation.
/ p Baker and Mrs. Gilmer, 10 Is said by men,
ArGi tho church, were summoned Defore the
r-fsl body and charged with criminal inti-
| r.v They confessed and were permitted 10
ri5ifaw.
FuR THE CHILDRESs SAKE.
w. elmer In this way became acquainted
W Tue uuiaithfulness Of his wife. Words can
- express she great indignation that he felt
ksp.f, has Il that after appeal and appeal maoe
| eYAe- % him for pardon he granted II for the
Nks q his little ones, and they lived together AZ
e. % homestead harmoniously up 10 the time
. dls: arrest.
ARRESTED AT CHURCH.
sunday morning last while attending divine
hurc a. the Methodist church at Abingdon,
- By the deputy sheriff, and when Informed by
"a 0rcer he was more than indignant ana ue-
e' the charges. Before the arrest oil Baket'
| f9liy-Sherif Counts, armed with Watraht!
az soaompanied by Squire Cunningham, visited
20 house of Mr.. Wyndham X. Gilmer, seven
-s. from Abingdon, and sersed the same upon
- Glmer.
APAINYUL soKHE.
ne DISPATCH reporter to-day asked the Sherin
~ took place al this time. His answer was;
H F.rn e.Inr n Of
l2iless was nrst told her by the magistrate. ~
si' ols q the most unpleasant duties nave
fH Lad % perform. don't know that haNo
tT Witnessed more painful scene ana as
,lca distress before. She made her confession
| ne magistrate and not 70 me. sald 70 heI
AA regretted very much 20 have 10 VISIT noI III
/ se capacity Of an onicer. She wept bitterly.
Hr brother, Gray Cecil, was present AZ the tlliie
l1. lE0gll rather not talk Of II. / know the
l.ils' veil placed her under arrest anu
Ut lef IN charge Of a guard"
EXAMINATIONS.
% Monday tho two prisoners appeared before
~ magistrate 81 Wallace's. BY consent OF @ tho
s.4a'@L examination was postponed. Dr. baker
/ - Placed In the hands Of the sergeant and con-
'ee4 % the jail in Abingdon, and Mrs. Gilmer
~ paeel IA the custody Of a guard anu Son. ,
--el q her husbands home until today, "nen ",
'poiAi grand Jury was empanenea IN TINS
| ta-e Several witnesses were summoned 10 ep-
| ies'taiofeit. Among them was Mrs. Gilmer, who
~ .aaie confession at the time OF her arres,,
~ ieloIe the grand fury on oath swore 70 tno
THE confession.
re said that FIVE years ago DR.. Baker was
- ID 20 see her and treated her as pa.ien'
ls and when she became conyalescons'
,--ag the absence Of her husband, he nauo eu.
/ 4-es 70 her which che did not repei, ana M tnas
/ - ihiimscy hes existed between the TWO ever
- one said further that about three years
x no people ia their neigh borhood began 70
-. ..p~ about IT, and that II was true that sne
= " Baker were summoned before the chuIvn -
As aud were there charged by them WIN WIN
rypef conduct, and that they ooth pasaneSs ps,.'Ss
l 10y and ~ the earnest solicitation OF Hienao
~ permitted 70 withdraw from the church
'A' undue publicity being given
KoEE INFATUATED AND INTIMATE.
i 't'1ly thereafter they renewed their iliicl.
i m and became more infatuated WIN cern csr
/ - tnd more intimate than ever before. 10
~ mon arousing the s0spicions Oh her nus nus,
s,..a'uiey adopted plan by which they ooula
/ ,,,1 1,i1n cate with each other. IL wss tho
~. +.ga.ashing Of what was known 20 thcm as
i r-,lllct, and whenever they desired 70 COM
/ aie with each other they would put io,lot
/ I.a-S,,h hsae pgrt-ofnce, which was Dothing pus
| ls,eA DOx hid In an obscure place on nor
| l1ia anls farm, and that Dr. Baker was 10 the
| - W rding by about o'clock In the eve
o1e' elihsf 70 deposit letter for her or 70 re-
gg,,tIse rom her. The two were always scl,
t-oa ABOUT this 10 as not 70 arouse the sur
ssll' 1919 q her husband and nelghbors, ana tneif
tr,s'o,1lne meetings were always appointed az
l,e.o When her husband wes away. After tney
a. .ssyfled 70 this method OF communication
g. ing as much Of each other es thfy hso'
t,-,ai the Doctor complained Of not having ~.
,sH,Allies 70 SEQ as much of her as he wanted W
S'A' her husband sas Ia tho way.
Tag nURDxE scnfhk.
q ~ Then oOncocted aud formulated O scheme
~. rli Of her husband andG)r. bakcr :
y when this proposition was nrsf maae
k, ~ by the Doctor shs declined, put ~ a
a. wa Wa persuaded by nifa 70 yield bne bsia "
IL e,ehd jury that the Doctor snid. fou mns'
kso aA opportunity 70 giye 70 your nus.
ys :. Prescription that Will have pu. " y ,Va |,
sshheneser he complsins u bsint anwsiAs I