Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-07-31
Or. ]. A. P. Baker on Trial for the Murder Of
Ills Wife BY Poison
hrs. WYyDHiN R. GILNER on THE STAND
Sensational Details Of Her Criminal In.
tercourse with the Accused.
THE POST-OFFiCE IN THE OTT.H0TSR,
DIR. Giimer's sJcsiousy-Sevcn Disgustingly
Loye-Slck Lctters-His Presents of
Jeweiry-Adjourncd to To-Day.
lsneclal telegram 70 the Dllpatch. ]

ABIxGDON. Va, July 30.--The trial Of DR..
John A. 7. Baker. for tho murder of his
wife by poison has been nnxiously looked
forward TO a. a most Sensational event.
The interest IN this case grows as the trial
progresses. No such crowd of people has
ever been collected IN the courthouse at
Abingdon as that through which DR.. Baker
followed Jailor Clark this morning. 1t was
understood that Mrs. Wyndham Il. Gill
mer. who has played such an important
part in this unequalled criminal transac-
ton, was TO be introduced as the first wit
ness for the Commonwealth and at an
early hour every seat was occupied, and IN
the aisles were masses Of anxious specta-
tors watching tor the approach Of this re
markable character who divides with Dr.
J. A. j. Baker the disgrace Of the terrible
charge against him.
MRS. GIIMER on TIE STAND.
At 10 O'Clock Mrs Gllmer, dressed in
SOLID black and leaning on the arm Of her
brother. walked TO the clerks desk and
was sworn 10 tell the truth, the whole
truth. and nothing but the truth regard
ing the charges against the prisoner
at the bar. The examination was
commenced at once. and Mrs. Gil
rer stated that she was thrty-throe
years old, the wife Of Wyndham Il.
Gilmer. Of Washington county, Va; that
she had been his wife for thirteen years {;
that she knew the prisoner at the bar, and
had known him since August, 1878. when
she met him at a festival At Maple Grove.
in this county: that DR.. Baker was living
at that time within about three miles of
her home, and had lived there until the
latter part Of November or the LIST OF De-
cember Of last year: that he had been
their physician for eight or nine years, and
that her family and DR.. Bakers had all
been on very intimate terms.
CRIMINAL RELATIONS.
She also stated that their criminal rela-
tious dated back about tiyo years. when
she was sick. and Mr.. Gilmcr, of course,
was absent frOE home. Or. Bakers attvn-
tions while IN the slck-rOom were ot the
kindcst imaginable. and that long before
ne made known 10 her his love she believed
from his conduct be thought a great deal
Of Der, and that she loved him dearly.
The plans for poisoning her husband
were detailed, ami the private post-9ih
throncb which they received letters from
each other was often mentioned. 1t beng
n small house near the Gilmer dwelling
house. where tnev deposited their letters
almost nightly. The witness was asked
how many children size had and answered
" Five" and completely broke down and
some minutes were required tor her TO re-
GAIN her self-control so as 10 proceed with
her statements.
HEB HUSBANDS JEALOUSY.
When able to resume the story she told
that Or. Baker had visited her frequently,
sonetimes every day. until il became very
unpleasant for him TO do 80 on account OF
the jealousy of her husband.
Counsel asked her If DR.. Baker had ever
made any threats concerning the taking of
his wife's life, TO which she replied that his
Identical words were that every barrier
sfall be burned away.
LOVE FOR MAGGIE
An exhibit of iewolry was then made by
the Attorney for the state, consisting OF a
cold watch. gold pen, and ring, and some
other articles. all OF which the witness
identified. and told when. how, and whore
they had been presented to her, and how
portion Of them had been concealed
from her husband. Engraved in the ring
were these words: Love for Maggie"
TIE VISIT TO BRISTOL.
When called upon to explain who Mag
gle was. Mrs. Gilmer replied IT was herself,
and that DR.. Baker told her if any one
asked to see the ring and asked about II
to tell them lit was from my little Mag
ric.~ She also told of her trip TO The
Hotel Farmount. Bristol. Tenn, where
DR.. Baker met her and spent the night
with her.
TIRE sEvEN LETTHHs
Seven letters of the most disgusting
lovc-sick; nature that could be devised
were introduced. The first was dated
August 2G. 1890, and begins: My own
Little Guardian Angel" =" My little love,
sjng forever and ever. God knows this Is
from my soul "a purely as one OF hls angels
could utter it," &c. II is signed l.. W..
which the witness explained TO mean
Little Wife.
Another begins: MY Own Little Sweet
Precious Darling Angel" NV heart Is
bleeding at every pore" &c, and s dated
August 2S, 1890.
DISCUSSION.
There was heated argument between
counsel as to the admission of certain tes
tmOnv concerning the plot TO poison
Wyndham X. GIlmer several months aitor
the death Of Mrs Baker. and AT O'Clock
the court was adjourned until tomorrow
morning at 9 o'clock.