Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1891-08-01
The Baker Trial.

A. the Baker. Gilner murder trial in Alb
ingdon yesterday the day wes consumed In
the examination and cross-exGmloataou
@: Mrs. Gilmer, the chief witness for the
commonwealth. 1t was impossible to secure
a copy of the letters which were read, for
pgb ication. Dr.. Baker atill retains his M
eancernsd appearance, but listens sttoItiga-
~ to every word of The evidence.
Mrs Gilmer came into the court room
beryiy veilsd and in tears. Upon the re-
pewel Of the examination Mrs. Gilmer said {:
"Dr. Baker came to see me the day alter
the funeral Of his wlfe. About four days
atterHa-d We were again o:imiaal!T insi
mate He had liz sale December 10, and
moved TO Abingdon aiterwsrd. kbaut tbs
frat Of May, after the letters wsEe found,
ar. Summers came to my hcnse 10 aireat
me, and said he had three warrants egainet
me and DR.. Baker. My brother was there,
and advised me tc tell tie truth. l Tae
taken before E quire Cunningham. Dep
uty Sheriff Counts was there"
The witness here detailed fully as to the
viais containing medicine and poison. which
were exhibited, and as to their contents:
DE- Baker tod me-" she said, shat one OF
that tho ether was nerve depresaor. Dr..
Baker told me he put deadly poison In one
of the vials prescribed for Mr. Gilmer by his
brother, DR.. Gimer. I sew him put 1t Ia.
He said tesspoopful would accomplish our
purpose. was sri ested ia the paslor, and
I now say that an hour sfterwald, on leaving
the room, went and got two Of the vials and
gave them to CY]. Summers. Lou Gilmer
4 10 nd min
stered most of the medicine. Dr.. Baker
gave some of it TO bim."
Daring portions OF these details the wit
ness wapt bitterly, and % come extent aud
ib'y. Or. Baker snid the prussin acid would
Kill In one drop dose. hnt there was plen-
~ and to give pit nty ofit. DIR. Baker never
gave Mr. Giimer any medicine, except when
be was sick. He gave him tWo capsules,
which, he said, we're to quiet hin ard to
PIT him TO sleep but his complained very
mach frcm the first o3e, was sick, eud had
9 peiu in the stomach. Next morning no
YVES Tomitine wten DR.. Baker csme and
was being purgsd. He began to get better
after the vomiting The frst ono excited
him. The second, lister in the night. vas
followed by the ether symptoms.
The witness was surrendered for cross
examination. O2unse! objected to the jury
being affected By the tears OF the witness
and said he only wanted oil the faota and
the truth. Witness. Ia tears, exclaimed ::
lyon shall have 1t, and was deeply affected,
causing pause for S. mo minutes.
M. Gilmer waH generally present when
DR.. Baker cauter'zsd her throat and nose.
Tasrs wss ct this point much detail about
yieit of the'witness and Mrs. Rosers to the
house o! Dr. Bekes AID vile 10 the summer
of 1880. Witness arrived there sick and re-
msned three days. Nothing OF apparent
Importance Wss eioited.
After the recess Mrs Gilmer again took
the stand and was closely q,es,ioned for
aDother hour. Rev. D. Il. Carr, psstor of
their church, who made the invest CATION In
person. then took the stand, aud told Why
Mr.. and Mrs. Baker hsd Withdrawn froon
the church, and a'so related the scene be-
twesn Mrs. GiImsr and her husband when
Ms Gimer pleaded on be! knees TO be per-
mitted to remain with their children.
Ee was followed BIZ Sd MINISTERIAL witness
and court adjourned.