The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-08-15

Tor elGLkeeu NhyS uhS DtcH oH VIM AV4o iDi
the murder Of his wife. came to an end this
morning. when the jury brought il verdict
OF murder in the first degree
During the trial there had been some little
doubt rs 10 whether the jury would agree, but
when the Jury yesterday evening came INTO
court after the case had been given them and
asked if they could receive the testimony of
Mrs Margaret Gimor, the handsome witness
whose testimony virtually puts the hang
mans moose around the prisoners neck, all
doubts as 10 their verdict were dissipated.
As the court instructed them that If they
believed she was an accomphce IN design To
murder Susan Baker wife of the accused, and
that Mrs. Baker came 20 her death 10y poison
Mrs Gimer was competent witness 20 prove
any material fact OF facts IA the case sufficient
10 convict. and they could do 50 upon her un-
cOrIObOrsted testimony If they believed her.
No verdict being found last night the Jury
WAS put 10 bed. and at $40 this morning was
pOlled and sent t. its room. At twenty
minutes past they came in, answered 20
their names and declared the prisoner guilty.
The prisoner was the most unmOyed # all
in the courtroom. He did not vince nor
change cOuntenanco. After hearing the yir
dict pronounced he sat down. whlspere ed to
his counsel aud mOmentarlly his face flushed,
but soon resumed its natural hue.
Counsel for the defense moved the court 10
set aside the verdict for fourteen reasons. all
Of which were overrued, and the court ad-
lourned TIL A. NJ. tomorrow TO allow the
defense to prepare attdavts on which to
base a motion in arrest If Judgment. On the
grounds for the latter motion IS the assertion
about certain letters from Or. Baker being
suppressed by the Commonwealth.
History of the Crime.
The crime of which DR.. Baker is convicted
is wife poisoning. deliberately and malicious
" planned and cOnsummated, because Ms.
Baker stood IN the way Of his unlaWiul alice
tion for Mrs. Cfilmer The plan also included
the slow killing Of Mr. Gllmer With these
ends scconpishedthe two criminals intended
+ marry Mrs. Baker first put Out OF
the way with pOisOus given by her husband
and then lJr. Baker as the physician OF Nj
Gimer, began 70 dose him. The man grad
ualy grew worse. The ply scian was changed
and be got better Then some crlmlnatng
letters were found which led to al inyestga-
ton and resulted in d whole dlabOhcal
scheme coming 70 hight.
The leading witness in the case was Mrs.
Gilmer. q very handsome and clever woman,
who told a very straight and uncOn-
tradicted tale She said that she WAS thirty
three years Old the wife Of Nyndham Il. Gil
mer, Of Washington county, Va: that she
had been his wife for thirteen years that she
had known the prisoner since august, 1878.
when she met him at IA festival at Maple
trlOAe. III Illh tDuuLN. lllhl IL. ifhhti Wfo
living AT that time within about three miles of
her home. and had lived there until the latter
part Of November or the inst OF December OF
last year; that lie had been their physician
for eight or nine years. and that her tamliN
and Dr. Bakers had all been on very intimate
terms.
She also stated that their unlawful relations
dated back five years when she was sick, and
Mi Gilmer was absent from home. Dr.
Bakers attentions while IN the sick-room
were Of the kiDdest imaginable. and that
long before he made known 10 her his love
she believed from his conduct he thought
great deal If her, and that she loved hlm.
The plans for poisoning her husband were
detailed, and the private postoihce whlch
led to the investigation when discovered,
through which they received letters from
each other, Was often mentioned, 1t being
small house near the Gilmer dwelling-hOuse,
where they deposited their letters almost
nightly.
MADE FOR EACH OTHER.
The witness was asked how many children
she had. and answered five" and when
asked if DR.. Baker never demonstrated with
her for her criminallty she answered no,
never. Or. Baker talked 10 me many times,
but he always said that God would rot look
al such as a sin. for God said he, has made
Us for each other and it IS right that my wife
and your husband should die so that we may
accomplish His Will and live together.
hen NOUr HUSbaA0 iONiiN bNb tAtob you
and nr Baker were intimate what uld he do;
She was asked by counsel.
He chided me. demonstrated With me ana
forbade the doctor from coming 10 our mousse
again. but that did not stop It. We CORE
sponded and he met me at other places.
went 10 Paramount Hotel, IN Bristol, and he
met me- there. / have seen him at other
places. This intimacy was Kept mp i0r three
or four wears. j never dlyuiged II TIL on the
morning Of my arrest. Colonel Summers
came to my house and said he had three war
rants for me- Ny brother. Mr.. Cecil, was
along and said Marguerite, tell, no matter
how bad it is then fell on my Knees aud
confessed all to him
BURNING AWAY BARRIERS.
Counsel asked her il Dr. Baker had ever
mRde any threats concerning The taxing ~
his wife's lite, TO which she replied that bis
identical words were that every barrier
shal be burned away"
An exhibit of Jewelry was made during Mrs
Gilmers testimony by tho attorney for tho
state. consisting Of gold watch, gold pen.
and a ring, and some other articles, ali oI
which the witness identified. and told when,
how and where they had been presented %
her and how portion of them had been con-
ceaied from her husband Engraved IN the
ring were the words Love for Maggie.
When called upon 10 explain who Maggie
was. Mrs. Gilmer replied il WAS herself. and
that Dr. Baker told her if any one asked 10
see the ring and asked aboutit 70 tell them
1t was from my little Maggie" She also
told Of her trip TO the Hotel Paramount;
Bristol. Tenn. where DIR. Baker met her ana
speut the night
seven letters of the most disgusting. love-
sick nature that could he devised were intro
duced. The first was dated August 2G. 1880. |
and begins: My Own Little Guardian
Angel.-Ny little love sing forever and ever.
God knows this is from my soul as purely as
ma ~ - 4
signed T. W., which the witness explained to
mean little wife.
Another begins my Own Little Sweet |
Precious Darling Angel. My heart is bleed !
ing NJ every pore" de-. aud is dated August
2o 1880