The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-08-15
OF exceptions to be certified to the cir
cult court.
At o'clock tomorrow motion to
arrest Judgment Will be made and
argued
WILL MRS. GII.MER BE TRIED?

WILL. MRS. GII.MER BE TRIED?
great many people express the fear
that Mrs. Margaret Gtlmer will not DO
brought to trial for the part she took in
this horrible domestic tragedy. She is
on 100000 bail bond to answer an in
dictment charging her with conspiring
with DR.. Baker to take tho life of her
husband, Wyndham A. Gilmer. by poi
son. An Indictment was also found
against DR.. Baker, but unless the higher
courts set aside the verdict rendered by
the jury to-day, and he is acquitted OF
the charge of numbering his wife at
subsequent trial, he will never be called
upon to answer this charge
Mrs. Gilmer will DO tried, but not
likely on the charge now resting against
her. 1t is said she will be indicted for
conspiracy with DR.. Baker to murder
his wife. Susan Baker. 1t is thought
she can be convicted OF this charge on
her confession in letters to DR.. Baker,
now in the hands of tho prosecuting
attorney.
TIE PRESIDING JUDGE.
Hon. George W. Ward, Judge Of the
county court Of Washington county,
would adorn the circuit or supreme
court bench lie is we'll versed in tho
law and rules promptly on points raised
without recourse to the books. His
courteous bearing toward the attorneys,
witnesses, reporters and spectators dur
ing the long and exceptionally tedious
Baker trial, as vel! as his frmness, and
promptness impressed most favorably
the many strangers in attendance.
Judge Ward has quito an interesting
history. He was schoolmate of the
Hon. John Wise and his second in a
duel with Crockett near Glade Spring, if
your correspondent is not mistaken, sew
eral years ago. During his first term he
resigned the judgcship to meet an attor-
ney on the field Of honor in Tennessee
Fortunately the officers of the law got
on the ir track and arrested his antago-
mist before he reached tho appointed
place of meeting, where Judge Ward " as
found i'll waiting.
The Judge is an old newspaper man.
lie edited paper in Abingdon several
years ago and was shot from ambush
Tor paragraph in n caustic editorial he
published. Just as he was about enter
ing tho Colonnadc Hotel n short time
after returning from Il trip, DR.. White
and his son fired at him from across the
street. The Judge fell, pierced by sew
cral huckshot lie turned over and sue
cceded in getting revolver from his
pocket. Noticing young White behind
tree he called upon him to come from
behind shelter, but the call was not
obeycd. we are told. The wounded man
pulled up by the porch by which he had
fallen and sent several shots at his an
tagonist, one or more OF them striking
the tree. There are rino holes in the
brick wall opposite whero he fell. These
were made by buckshot that did not
find lodgment in Judge Wards body
NOTES.
DR.. John a. p. Baker was born March
/, lSfl. He is abouC feet o inches high,
and when arrested whilc attending di-
vine service last May, weighed about
2i0 pounds. His hair and whiskcrs are
almost white, and his face denotes
strong virle passion. His record in this
particular is unsavory and extends over
many years. If reports arc to be be-
llevcd Mrs. Gilmcr is not his first con
quest among married women whose hus-
bands trusted him as physician and
friend.
That Mrs. Baker was a most lovablo
and popular woman is the testimony of
her husbands friends and enemies.
ii r people rank high socially and intel
lcctually. One OF her brothers, Col.
Alex. Davis, represontcde the Grayson
district ono term in Congress, and
another, Prof. James a. Davis, is a
popular minister, and was for some
time member of the faculty of Emory
and Henry College. Tho motherless
children Of his sister will never feel the
want OF friend as long as he and his
brothers survive her. At first they
did not think it possible that their
sister, who devoted her life 10 making
DR.. Baker happy and nursing his chill
drcn, was tho victim of his murderous
hand. But it is said that the testimony
and the masterful speech of Wysor
weakened their confidence in him.
THE SCENE OF TIE EARTIIOANE.