The morning call., 1891-10-19
TOLD BY REPORTERS.
Stray Leaves From the Lives of
Newspaper Men.
He Was Pious Journalist Getting Secret
Session - Numbering Johnstown's
Dead-Mrs. Brice's JOY
1t was group of newspaper men assem-

1t was group of newspaper men assem-
bled in the lobby of the Palace Hotel.
"reminiscences of professional character
were in 0rder-stOries of big scoops"
were told and journalistic experiences re.
lated. One interesting instance in particu-
lar was told by veteran which showed in
a strong light the inborn pluck and indom-
table perseverance of the true reporter, as
well as his devotion to duty and the willing
ness to sacrifice self-lntercsts for the good
of the paper. Delos r. Baker was, in the
early seventies, an Inherent Methodist
preacher, who tramped over the mountain
Businesses of the Vrginias, preaching the
Gospel as he understood it, and contra ting
slOveuly habits. from which he never cured
himself, such as wearing his trousers
tucked in his boots and going unkempt and
unshaven for weeks at time. After few
months Of this itineracy Baker was retired
from the conference for his hereses, and
he turned his attention to newspaper
work. He went to work for the
Scripps League OF Penny Papers and finally
was made managing editor of the Post at
Cincinnati. 1t was while serving in that
capacity that the yellow fever epidemic
broke out in Jacksonville, Fla, a few years
ago. The Post asked for a volunteer from
its staff to 90 to the afflicted city in the
double capacity of n correspondent and as
dlsbursing agent OF a popular relief fund
fever sufferers. Not man on the rep0r-
torial staff cared to undertake the mission
into yellow jacks domain until one day
Baker came to the Office, grip" in hand,
and announced his determination of going to
Florida. No argument could dsSuade him
from his rash resolve, not even the subject
OF his family, numerous and growing one.
to whom he was devotedly attached. "God
Will take care of them," was his answer.
lie started for Jacksonville, his grip filled
with anti-febrine medicines aud lot of
stuff and recipes he had gathered up as
warranted to ward off any attack Of the
dread scOurge or to cure it If contracted.
lie did good work in the afflicted city, send
ing dispatches regularly every day and also
inauguratlng system OF hourly bulletins
stating briefly the number Of deaths, new
cases and the progress Of the plague. One
day his matter ceased coming. The next
day still no word WIS received, and tee-
graphic inquiry of the Jacksonville West
ern Union Office developed that Baker had
not been seen since fling his last message
TWO days before.
A week passed with no tdings of Baker,
and the offce began TO entertain serious
fears for his safety. Mrs. Baker also visited
the office several times day in quest Of i'll
formation. When the tenth day came and
no word had yet been received Of Baker it
was determined to send another man down
TO hunt him up, If living. That night, how
ever, Baker was heard from. a message
was received stating that he had been at
tackled by yellow jack while visiting tho
cabin Of negro family and assisting in the
burial of two children, who had died that
day. He was seized with dizziness while
offering prayer. Fever, sickness and the
dread black vomit followed, and he lost
consciousness. The negro womaD, whom
he had assisted, proved devoted nurse and
saved him after an illness of ten days. The
dispatch, he stated, was written while in
bed, the npgress carrying It to the telegraph
office Baker remained here for several
weeks, doing good work in the double capac-
ity Of newspaper correspondent and as
nurse among the sick.