The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-02-26

ABlNHDoN, tcD. 90 Special The
Baker trial still proceeds very slowly.
The cross.eXamination of Mrs. Gilmer
was begun this morning. She stated
that she was sick in bed at the time of
Mrs. Bakers death; that Or. Baker was
waiting on her at the time as her physi-
clan; that tho visit of DR.. Baker on Sat.
urday after his wifes death was, as far
as she know, professional visit. Mrs.
Baker died tuesday and was buried
Thursday.
Criminal intimacy between DR..
Baker and myself began five years ago
last August. He said from the begin
ming that all barriers should be burned
away BY tho beginning mean the
time that he first made love to me.
did not know at first what he meant.
AT the time he made the remark / did
not take it that he meant to destroy his
wife. There was never any agreement
between us about taking her life lie
told me that she should not live to see
the birth of her child.
"He made no proposition to mo about
destroying my husband till about four
months after his wife's death. | won't
to Pulaski and remained month. 1t
was after my return that the PROPOSE
ton was made. The first poison-hy-
drccianic acid-was given to me for NV
husband moro than twelve months after
Mrs. Bakers death. 1o gave mo ar
senic the same month that he gavo me
tho hydrocianic acid. lie left two cap
sules for my husband (witness stated on
examination in chief that he had left
only onel. wrote letter,,of coincidence
to DR.. Baker and The members of his
family at the time Of his wife's death.
l meant every word that said. The
letter was from my soul; sympa-
thized with the entire family.
~ did not know anything about the
state OF Mrs. Bakers health before her
death. because l had not seen her. |
knew she was in labor"
The witness was then asked if Mrs.
Bakers life had not been despaircd of
on other occasions similar to the &C.
casion of her death. The question was
objected to on the ground that it was
out of order on cross examination.
The point was argued, and tho ques.
ton was finally admitted. Witness
answered: 81 did not know that her
death had been expected on similar
occasions. did not think she was
any more liable to die than any
other delicate woman. did not think
before her last sickness that she was
woman of frail constitution. did NOT,
visit her often on account of tho
rumors throughout tho neighborhood
about my intimacy with Dr. Baker.
did not take his remark that his wife
should not see the birth of her child
as meaning that he meant to DESTROY
her."
She was asked whether she would
have written the letter of confidence 10
the doctors family If she had believed
that he took his wife's life for her sake.
II think IL would have been still more
my duty in that case" She continued:
IF he committed that crime for nv
sake it was my duty to do all could to
console his children. believed. at
that time, that he had killed his wife"
~ never made any false statements
to him except in connection with poison
ing my husband. l swore in the pres
ence OF my minister that there had never
been any criminal intimacy between DR..
Baker and myself. / was trying to obtain
Mr.. Gilmer's forgiveness. The recon
citation between Mr.. Gilmer and myself
occurred. about three weeks after DIR.
BAKERS conviction. We are now living
together as man and wife,"
The record of the circuit court was
then sent for and it was proven that a
divorce snit was brought by Wyndham
Gllmer against Margaret Gilmer last
May, but that no further action had
been taken, and that sufficient time had
elapsed for the suit to be dismissed.
Mrs. Gilmer was then questioned
again as to the criminal intimacy.
whether it commenced in August or
october five years ago. Sho said that
IL was In October, but that he had made
love to her in August; that she deemed
it all criminal intercourse.
MIR. Gilmer did not "believe at first
That there was any criminal intimacy"
she said, but thought my conduct i'm
prudent"
The witness then detailed the manner
of their clandestine meetinvs and cor
respondence, all OF which substantially
agrees with her testimony at the former
trial.
The efforts of the defense in this limo
OF examination were to provo that the
advances came from Mrs. Gilmer and not
from DR.. Baker
Ono Important point gained by the
defense was the statement by tho wit.
ness that there was nothing to prevent
her intercourse with the doctor during
the life of Mrs. Baker. She stated
that her husband allowed her to keep n
photograph of DIR. Baker and various
other presents from him, but that when
he became very jealous no destroyed
the photograph.
She admitted that many statements
In the letters we're false. though at the
other trial she said they were true in all
their details.
Her answers during thi, part OF tho
examination often expressed the most
intense feeling, but they were framed
with