Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-05-13

giving evidence of well-pressrved youthful
vigor. He is gifted with more than ordi-
nary mental endowments and ia fine con-
versstonalist. He is graduate of Emory
and Henry College, and being close OBJ
server and dlligent student, has acquired
fund of information that makes him OF
all times pleasing and entertaining.
IN THE CHURCH.
Hs married early iu life Miss Davis, the
sister of Prof. James A. Davis, who for .
number of years was professor at Emory
and Henry ColleTe and was we'll known
throughout the State. DR.. Baker has been
prominent member of the Methodist Epis
copal Church for q number of years, and
has always taken lively interest in the
work OF Christ. The Bakers chapel, cost
ing So 0GO, which was erected on his farm,
stands as living monument to this fact
A BEAUTIFUL CHURCH MEMBER.
MIS-. Gilmer is about Thirty three years
of age Sac was a Miss Cecil, and was
reared in Pulaski county, where she mar
ried Mr.. Gilmar. She is a handsome wo-
man, and one that would attract attention;
has lovely dark blue eyes, and luxuriant
growth OF auburn hair, which she wears
coiled on the back of her head. She is a
woman of pleasant address, and has been
much admired for her beauty. She ais,
was member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, and attended services at Bakers
chapel, two miles from her husbands home.
Yes, Mrs. Giimer and DIR. Baker were
members of the same church. They lived
ocly two ard half miles apart. Their
farms almost adjoined one another.
NEIaHBoRLY INTIMACY.
The families of Dr. Baker aud Mr.. Gill
mer were on the best of terms, certainly as
far as the public knows. Often DR.. Baker
could be sean at the home of Mr.. Gilmer
aud Mr.. Gilmer at the home of DR.. Baker.
This pleasant neighborly intimacy confirm
ed for many years, DIR. Baker being the
family physician ard enjoying the full con-
fldence and respect of his neighbors. His
frequent visits abou. three years ago to Mr..
Gilmer's house aroused the suspicious of
the neighbors, ana created much small talk
and unpleasant gossip, which increased and
grew until it reached the ears of the church
officials, who thought it necessary to make
an investigation. DR.. Baker and Mrs. Gill
mer, it is said by members of the church,
were summoned before the official body
and charged with criminal intimacy. They
confessed and were permitted to withdraw.
FOR THE cHILDREN's SAKE.
Mr.. Gilmer in this way became acquaint-
ed with the unfaithfulness of his wife.
Words cannot express the great indignation
that he felt. Report has it that after ap-
peal made by her to him for pardon he
granted it for the sake of his little ones,
and they lived together at the old home
stead harmoniously up to the time of her
arrest"
On being informed by the correspondent
of the Dispatch of the statement made by
Mrs. Gilmer to the Grand. Jury that indict
ed him for poisoning his wife, and
both him and Mrs. Gilmer for an attempt
to take the life of Mr.. Gilmer by poison,
DR.. Baker denounced it"as false as HI"
Prof. Jas. A. Davis, who is brother of
DR.. Bakers wife does not believe that DR..
Walker poisoned his sister-"that they
were just as affectionate to one another as
husband and wife could be, and that the
cause Of Mrs. Bakers death was paralysis
aud puerpersl convnlsicns."