The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-08-15

The great Baker trial, the most sensa-
tionai, and in many respects the most
important in the criminal annals of
Virginia, is at an end for some time to
come at least.
The court convened at Si5 this morn
ing. AS usual the room was packed
like sardines with people anxious and
determined to witness the last act save
ono, in the tragedy. The prisoner was
brought in and was surrounded by a few
relatives, including his son and
brother. The latter bowed his head
upon his hands and occasionally his
body shivered like q reed in Il storm.
The object of his solicitudc and grief
was apparently the most unconccrned
person in the room.
The jury entered and after the roll
was called retired to their room for con-
sultation. AT o:20 commotion in the
crowd and the hurried entrance of Judge
Ward proclaimed their return
BRINGING IN TIE VERDICT.
The death-like silence which pervadcd
the court room was broken only by the
measured tread of the twelve men who
had decrecd that DR.. John Alexander
Preston Baker should die an ignomin-
GUS death. AS they filed past him with
averted faces he cast n rapid, anxious
glance into each as if to read their YER
dict and then held brief whispered
conversation with General Blair, one of
his counsel. The jury answered to their
names and the clerk stepped from be-
hind his desk and in a low voice asked
'Gentlcmen, have you agreed upon q
verdict"
"Wo have" answered the foreman,
Hon. S. Z. Edmundson, with tremulous
voice.
John A. P. Baker, stand up" COM
manded the clerk; and the prisoner
sprang to his feet quickly, moved for
ward step or two and bent his brightly
piercing eyes upon tho official.
How say you, gentlemen, guilty or
not gulty?" asked tho clerk, turning
again to the jury.
Guilty" fcebly answered tho fore
man.
THE EFFECT on THE PRISONER.
The doomed prisoner dropped into his
scat like a lump of lead He pulled
nervously at his large gray mustache
with one hand and fumbled at his
watch chain for few seconds. BEYOND
this he did not differ from tho attitude
he assumed when he was put on trial
July 90 for his life. Save word or
two whispered to General Blair he said
nothing until removed to the Jail.
The verdict was made OUT i'll proper
form. The clerk read: I'VE the jury,
find tho prisoner, John A. p. Baker,
guilty Of murder in the first degree, as
charged in tho Indictment"
a TEAR-sTAINED VERDICT.
AS Foreman Ednundson stopped to
the Commonwealth Attorneys desk to
aiiiX his namc to it tears rolled down
his bron2cd cheeks. Several Of his as
socates wept also Wysor, the eloquent
attorney from Pulaski Countrywide madc
the brilliant opening speech for tho
prosecutions; big-hearted. genial Dan.
Trigg. Hon. ID. + Bailey and Judge
Hutton, all Of whom commended for DR..
Bakers life, now that the jury had rem
dored tho verdict they asked for, bowed
their heads and wept.
Blanchcd faces and moist eyes were
everywhere noticeable. The coolest and
apparently the least concerned nan in
the vast thrOng was DR.. Baker.
General Blair informed the court that
the defense desired time to prepare sew
eral motrins and an adjournment was
ordered to IL IN.
THE PRISONER BREAKS DOWN.
Dr. Baker was removed to his cell in
the Jail. Here his great will power
yielded to the strain it had been sub
jected to and be sobbed and prayed. He
cried to God tor mercy and bear witness
that he was innocent of tho terrible
crime he had been adjudged guilty Of
llo was truly pitiable object.
EFFECT OF TIE VERDICT.
Business is practically suspended
here. The great trial and its sad ending
is the all-absorbing theme of convcrsa-
ton in the stores, hotels and upon the
streets. Unboundcd sympathy is ex-
pressed for the innocent children Of the
unfortunate prisoner. They are greatly
beloved and all hearts arc moved with
deep sorrow for them. If, after exhaust
ing every remedy in the courts to save
the life OF their father, it is decreed
that be must die on the gallows, Cover
nor Mckinney will probably be asked to
commute the sentence to Imprisonment
for life. The petition will be numer-
ously signed.
THE NUMBER TIIIRTEEy.
The number thirteen has played an
important part in the life of DR.. Baker.
Thirteen years ago he met Mrs. Mar
garet Gilmer at a church festival and
fell in love with her. His wife died
after bearing him thirteen children, and
the analytical chemist found tho thir-
tcenth part of grain of arsenic in her
stomach. His case was submitted to a
jury of his countrymen on the 18th day