Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1897-04-30
Children Cry for
Pitchers Castoria.
Tho Hon. Ws.ley Baker

The editor of the Emmons County Rec
ord takes great pleasure in reprinting
from the Fargo Record the following
biographical sketch of one of this coun-
ty's most popular and broad. gauged citi-
zens:
Wesley Baker, representative from EN-.
mons county. is an old settler, and has
been an active participant in the affairs
Of North Dakota since 1872, when he was
stationed at Fort Buford as member Of
the Sixth United States Infantry. He
was at Fort A. Lincoln in 1874 when the
Indians raided the stock owned by John
W. Smith, which were feeding under the
very guns of the fort and saw Custer 9
dashing charge on that occasion. The
mules were recovered. together with sew
srsA Iadass ponies which bad become ri.
derless from the merciless fire of the
Seventh cavalry. He was at Fort Yates
when rumors came of the Custer massacre
on the Little Big Horn, two or three days
before the news of the affair was received
from official sources. Indian runners had
brought the news even in advance of the
steamer Far West, which seemed to come
almost on the wings Of the wind. He
was at Fort A. Lincoln when Frank
King was killed by "Spotty" Whaleu.
which resulted in q raid on Bismarck by
members Of tho Seventh cavalry, in
which John Dalton, of that regiment,
and Dave Mullen. the notorious dance.
house keeper, we're killed, most Of the
sporting fraternity leaving Bismarck fol
fear of their lives. These people en-
camped in vacant buildings or any othsl
possible place Of hiding. that night. tax.
ing the first train east. That was a wild
and bloody night In Bismarck, and ONT
that will long be remembered by the old
settlers.
Wesley Baker was born Jan. 81, 1847
Of American parentsge, in Tuscarawa,
county, Ohio. He was educated IN the
public schools of Ohio, and spent hi.
early life on farm. He served one yeal
in the Twenty-afth Ohio. and, like man,
others at the close Of the civil war, he re
enlisted and served for period of thir
= teen years in the Sixth U. 8. infantry
In 1881. after the extension of the N. p
railroad west, and having been on escor
duty with his regiment to the Yellow
stone. he settled at Livona, Emmon
county, where he Is postmaster and en-
gagged In stock. growing. He keeps 2, 40'
1 head of sheep, "a head of cattle, and ,
small band Of horses. He believes i,
sheep-growlng, and has found it profit
4 able even under the low tariff. He keep
grade Shropshires, realizing about 75 pc
cent increase. His annual losses hav'
not exceeded 8 per cent until this year
when they have been heavy.
Generally, ten tons Of hay will keep 10'
sheep. and they are not required to be fet
more than sixty days; but this winter i
has taken fifteen tons for 100, and they
have been fed Since election day. Mr.
/ Baker is republican and trusty friend
He was elected to the legislature at tn,
last election, and has made an excellsn
Representative. He was the author Of tn,
resolution-which passed the legislature
within ten minutes after its introduction
calling on the governor to give re
wa,d OF $500 for the arrest and convio
tion Of the murderers of six persons mos
horribly butchered at Winona--lt is sup,
posed by Indians.
The following bills were introduced by
him: No. Q, providing for the erection
\ of grain warehouses on the railroad right
\ of.way and contiguous thereto No. 78
relating to the number of county commls
sioners, and providing for reducing thu
number to three or increasing to five
No. 93, providing for applying all of tht
rulessand regulations for the pI0tectior
of the elective franchise at the polls tt
prihary elections, aud. in addition, pro
vidlaG fof scha!lenge on party grounds
with 8 view TO keeping opponents Of thu
I party AOid,ng the primary election ou
fSof ~ caucus, and requiring the caucus II
- held at seasonable hours and to bt
Kept open one hour.