Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-03-04
DIR. BAKERS CASE.
THE EVIDENCE FOR THE DEFENCE
CLOSED AND ARGUMENT BEGUN.
Counael for the Prosecution Confused
Only Five Witnesses Examined for the
Prisoner-rwo Speeches Made.
lspeclnI toIegrnm o the pispatch.,

Especial telegram 20 the uiscnt'n''
ABINGDON. Va. March SIN order TO
prove that the fluid analyzed by Professor
Jarman was the same a. that given Br.
Taylor, the defence introduced DIR. W. II.
Washington as the first witness this morn
ing, be having sent IT to the Professor at
Emory by another party.
no SYMPTOMS OF POISON.
DR.. George Z. Wiley, of Abingdon. wes
next introduced, and testified that he was
called 10 see Wyndham Gilmer about two
years ago and found him suffering from
nervous prostrauon. but had no reason TO
believe he had been poisoned. Did not
recollect any symptoms gwen him by Mr..
Gilmer that indicated such was the case.
He diagnosed the case for himself. and
thought If he had heard of the symptoms
detailed by Mr.. Gilmer on his examina-
tion he would have remembered them.
DIR. TAYLOR. the expert from Richmond.
took the stand 70 make some further ex-
plantations IN regard TO the chlorate OF
potash. about which there was consldera-
bic contention Yesterday. but II was not
deemed proper that the case should be
opened again. and the Doctor did not get
through WITH his explanations.
SURPRISE.
Up 10 this time only FIVE witnesses bad
| been examined by the defence, and but
very few were prepared 70 hear Mr.
| Buchanan, of counsel for the prisoner.
announce that they would close the case.
The prosecution was thrown into CON
fusion, and their disappointment at TINS
action has been apparent all day.
ARGUMENT BEGUN.
After a short conference Mr. ID. Il. Bal
, ley said that they had determined that ne
| should open the case for the Common
monwealth, and expressed himself pleased
with the honor conferred by allotting him
this responsible position. lie made an
able speech of about two aud one half
| hours, and dwelt az length upon Baker 8
conduct as neighOor and physician ana
the part he had play ed in the destruction II
! ais own and his friend and patrons fam
| lily.
| FOR THE DEFENCE
He was followed by +. S. Blair for the
| defence, who has consumed the remainder
of the evening. HIS speech so far Is able
and to the point lie speaks like one con-
| fident of his position. and handles botn
law and facts with perfect ease. lie laid
great stress on the fact that the principal
witness in the case has proven untrue 10
everything and everybody. and boots at
| the idea of man leaving love-letters,
! containing dangerous statements a. these
do. IN old tobacco barns and unGer the
| corners of deserted houses. where every
tramp that runs the road could walk and
! pick them up. lie bad nothing to say
against the learned expert from Richmond,
who was employed by the Commonwealth
10 make the analysis in the case. and he
thought when such authority told the
prosecution that his opinion IN the case
was so worthless that he could place bu'
| little confidence In IL. that the Common
wealth would surrender its case.
RATHER ODD.
The Commonwealth introduced about
fifty-eight witnesses aud the defendant
only five. and 1t is remarkable that out OF
all this number not one was present at the
death of Mrs. Baker. Everybody has beer
called 10 testify. except those who ought
to know the facts. All admit that the cas-,
has been well handled by the defence, ano
the unexpected turn this morning has in
sUlred confidence that perhaps nothing
else could.
PROBABLE RESULT.
The case will very likely DO determined
this week. and great many who think Dr
Baker guilty. also think the Common
wealth have failed 20 prove it aud look tol
acquIttal or a hung jury.