Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-31
DIR. BAKERS TRIAL.

The Sensational Poisoning Case Being Heard
at Abingdon. Va
The trial Of DR.. John A. p. Baker, for the
murder Of his wife by poisoning. has been
snxionsly looked forward to 40 most sensa,
tional event at Abingdon, Va. The interest in
the case grows as the trial progresses. No such
crowd Of people has ever been collected In the
court house Us that through which DIR. Bake,
followed Tailor Clark yesterday morning a
$40 o'clock. 1t was understood that Mrs. Wynd
ham r. Gimer WAS to be introduced as the frs,
witness for the commonwealth and at an early
hour every seat was taken. The aisle was filed
with anxious spectators. At 10 o'clock Mrs.
Gilmer, dressed in solid black and leaning on
the arm Of her brother. walked TO the clerk 9
desk and was sworn.
The cross examination was commenced a
once, and Mrs Gilmsr stated that she was
thirty-tbree years old; the wife OF Wyndham
Gilmer Of Washington county, Va; that she
had been his wife for thirteen years; that she
knew the prisoner at the bar, and had known
him since August, 1873, when she net him at
festival at Maple Grove. in that county; that
DR.. Baker was living at that time within about
three miles OF her home and had lived there
until the latter part of November or the 1st OF
December Of that year; that he had been their
physician for eight or nine years, and her
family and DIR. Bakers had been on very in
innate terms; she also stated that their rela.
tions dated back about five years, when she
was sick, and Mr.. Gilmer. of course, was absent
from home. DR.. Bakers attentions while In
the sick room were Of the kindest imaginable
and long before he made known to her his love
she believed from his actions that he thought
a great deal Of her and that she loved him
dearly.
The plans for the poisoning Of her husband
were detailed and the private post office from
which they received letters from each other wai
often mentioned, 1t being small house near
the Gilmer dwelling house. where they de-
posted their letters almost nightly. The wit
ness was asked how many children she had
and answered ''fve," and completely broke
down. Some minutes were required for Aer
to regain her seaf-control, SO as to proceed with
her statement :.
When able TO resume the story. she told tina,
DR.. Baker had visited her frequently, some.
pleasant for him to do D on account OF the
jealousy of her husband. Counsel asked her il
DIR. Baker had ever made threats concerning
the taking OF his wifes life, to which she re-
piled that his identical words were that eevery
barrier shall be burned away"
An exhibit of jewelry was then made by thu
attorney for the commonwealth, consisting OF
a gold watch, gold pen and ring and some
other articles all of which the witness identified
and told when, how and where they had beer
presented her, and how portion OF them haG
been concealed from her husband. Engraved
in the ring were these words: Love for Mag
gie." When called up to explain who Maggie
was Mrs. Gilmer replied it was herself, anc
that DIR. Baker told her if any one asked to SCI
tine ring, and asked about it, TO tell them it wal
for my little Maggie" She also told of her trif
to Hotel Paramount at Bristol, Tenn, wherr
DR.. Baker met her and spent the night Will
her. Seven letters OF the most disgusting
love-sick nature that could be devised were in
troduced.
The first was dated August 26, 1890, and be-
gan: MY own little guardian angel, my little
love- sing forever. God knows that this is from
my soul surely as one Of his angels could
utter it," &c. 1t was signed "L.W.," which the
witness explained to mean Little Wife" An,
other began: MY own little sweet precious
darling angel. My heart is bleeding at thy
door," and dated August 2S, 1880.
There was heated argument between coun-
sei as to the admission of certain testimony
concerning tho plot TO poison Wyndham r.
Gilmer several months after the death of Mrs
Baker, and at o'clock the court was adjourned
until today.