Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-03-02
a Terrible Tragedy.

AS stated in yesterdays GAZETTE,
Henry Baker and William Thompson,
colored, entered the home of Moore
Baker, at Franklin Park, six miles west
of New Brunswick, n. j., early yester-
day morning for the purpose of robbie
~. Upon being discovered by Mrs.
Baker the robbers killed her and her
child with an axe. Mr.. Baker sprang
from the bed and killed n negro with
the same axe and shot the other dead
as he attempted to escape.
Moore Baker, a farmer, twenty-three
years of age, was married a few years
ago TO Miss Luette Evans, a young and
pretty woman. The couple prospered
and they had q fine farm. Sixteen
months ago q little girl baby was born.
In Mr.. Bakers household was a colored
boy about eighteen years of age, whom
Mr.. Baker had brought up. This col
ored boy took Bakers name and called
himself Henry Baker. Another col
ored man about twenty years of age,
named Willett Thompson, worked on
Mr.. Bakers farm. The two negroes
were very friendly and were widely
known throughout that part of the
country. Mr.. Baker was always kind
to Henry and the young colored man
told people what a good home he had.
Mr.. Baker had about $3.50 in the house
Wednesday. He showed the money to
the young colored q
About 2 o'clock yesterday morning
Baker and Thompson took Mr.. Bakers
axe from the woodpile and broke an
entrance to the cellar from the outside,
forced their way up through the kitch-
en- and tiptoed upstairs to Mr.. Bakers
sleeping ROOF in the second story.
Thompson carried the axe. When they
opened the door of Mr.. Bakers sleeping
apartments, Mr.. Baker, his wife and
baby Gertrude were fast asleep in bed.
The noise OF opening the door aroused
Mrs. Baker and she saw Thompson's face
and the cleaning axe in his hand and
screamed. Thompson sprang upon her
and struck her upon the head with the
axe. He cut her head nearly in two,
killing her instantly. Her brains spat-
tered over the wall, over the head Of
her bed, over the head of her sleeping
baby and over her husbands face.
Thompson raised the bloody IKE again,
and this time buried it in the body of
baby Gertrude. He cut the baby near
ly in two, killing it at once. Farmer
Baker had been sleeping soundly, but
was now thoroughly awakened and
sprang out of bed. He saw Thompson
with the bloody in his hand, and
realizing the awful truth in an instant,
that his wife and baby had been MUIR
dered, sprang at Thompson like a
maniac. Thompson aimed q blow at
him with the axe, but beyond a flesh
wound he did no serious damage.
Farmer Baker is a strong, active man
and he finally overpowered Thompson.
During the struggle for the axe both
Baker and Thompson were severely
cut. Farmer Baker choked Thompson
till he lost his grip, then tripped him
and threw him to the floor, and grab
bling the bloody axe in his hands, dealt
him a blow that sent him into eternity.
Then the farmer turned his attention
to Baker, the other colored man, who
attempted to escape. but Farmer Baker
grabbed his shotgun and emptied its
contents into Bakers head and body.
Henry Baker died at 6 o'clock yes
terday morning. The killing of Mrs.
Baker, Gertrude and Thompson did not
occupy more than a few minutes.
Farmer Baker was badly injured DUR