The times., 1897-10-29
BY POISON SOUGHT DEATH
Thomas Baker Takes Laudanum
With Almost Fatal Effect
Lies un the Cot in the Emergency
Hospital on which His Wife
AIet Al Suicides Death.

Thomas Baker occupied the same cot at
TIE Emergency Hospital that his wife died
upon aiout eight weeks ago after she had
jumped from 8 third-story window at Cat
70 Hotel fuT the purpose Of ending her life.
Baker also tried 10 commit suicide last
night. but hls attempt VIII not be as sue
cesSsul as was that Of Mrs Baker. She died
after lingering about twenty four hours,
but ne viii recover. Hetooklaudanum, was
discovered short time afterwards and
hurried to the Emergency Hospital
Baker Is tiIrty-nine years Of age, hand
sJme man and q drummer. His home Is
al Clayton, nd. Much OF his time, when
n0tUl,0n the road, he spends in VI Washington.
About two months ago, while he was
here Tor a time, his wife came On 10
Spuitd brief time with him, and thcy
En0UIed together at GRtUO's Hotel, where
Baker was then stopping. one Saturday
night Baker had gentleman friend 10
call upon him at his rooms.
They drank heavily during the evening
and when the friend departed Baker aC-
Campanied him part way down the stairs.
Duriul his absence Mrs. Baker, either il
q flt OF dependency or temporary aber-
TauOn OF the mind, arose from her chair
end, without hesitation, went 10 tie win
dow. u " a. raised, as the evening was
warm, and. stepping upon the sill, she
lesped cut.
Isakcr returned to his room and found
her missing, and few moments later she
was picked up bleedfnga badly injured
on the groUnd below.
Mrs. Baker was removed TO the Emer-
gency Hospital and her husband was ar
rested by Policeman Lally on suspicion
OF having been responsible for the woman 5
injuries Ms. Baker regained conscious
ness, and a short time before her death
made a statement 10 the corOuer eXonerat-
ing her husband aud admitting that she
desired tC end her life and relating the
circumstances. Upon this Baker was re
leased. il was thought there were other
causes wisch lead Mrs. Baker 10 take
her life, but nothing further could be de-
veloPad.
After that Baker remained a greater
portion OF las uuIe in this city and rented
a ro,m over a small cigar store kept by q
woman at No. 1903 Seventh street north
west What this woman knows OF Baker,
If anything, she refuses TO disclose, and also
refused To give her own name. 1t was III
his Room at that nuIntssr that Baker took
laudanuln ah0ut $50 O'Clock last night,
and was discovered by the woman a short
time later
she called in Seret. DunRigan, OF The Sec
ond precinct who discovered the empty
vial, and reaiizing the situation hastily
sent for an ambulance and had him e
moved tS tee Emergency Hospital The
Officer then made d careful examination
OF The Room, hUt could find no further
evidence OF anything JO indicate why Baker
had sought 10 kin himself
He had hot been at the hospital long
before the woman "a He'd and asked 20 be
slluwed 70 see Baker. She would say
nothing about the case and refused 10
give her name. She left, saying that she
HUuId call for the would be suichie at 5
O'clock TINS morning, and if be was able
10 leave the institution she would take
him sway.
Baker revived consciousness in a shOri
tiUle, bUt would say nothing except t0den y
that lie had taken poison. The physicians
At the hospital, tUyvever once recognized
tic maA and discovered strong evidences
~ an opiate poisoning. il is thought tina {
he win recover.