The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-05-21
ED BAXTER'S DEATH
What the Colorado Springs Paper Has to
Say of It.

ED BAXTER'S DEATH
What the Colorado Springs Paper Has to
Say oft.
The following from the Colorado
Springs Gazette is about right with the
| exception that ne was never a writer on
the Eagle, nigh or otherwise. He work
ed in the composing room Of the paper
seven or eight years ago and was first
class compositor The Gazette says:
Died in an opium joint. That was the
fate of Edward Baxter, a gambler and
faro bank dealer who has been employed
Cor some weeks in the Office saloon in
Colorado City, He was found dead yes
terday afternoon about o'clock in an
opium joint run by a Chinaman named
| Sue Wan, in an alley below Colorado
avenue, between First and West Secop d
stress.
The story as given by the authorities
is to the effect that Baxter went to the
opium joint yesterday morning in COM
pany with couple Of opium fiends, and
INDUCED in the questionable luxury of a
pipe" Baxter had been addicted to the
habit for several years, until he stopped
about six months ago, but Sunday night
he got started on a spree and finally
wound UP at the opium joint Baxter
was formerly one Of the brightest writers
on the Wichita kansas Eagle but about
five years ago he got started to gam
bling and finally sought the pleasures of
the pipe. His social downfall was rapid,
but through all Of mis- career ne is said
to have been exceedingly liberal with his
money to those who were financially en-
barrassad or in need.
He came TO Colorado City several
months ago and secured employment at
the Office saloon as a faro dealer. His
wife and a son. about 10 years old, soon
followed from the east, and they have
since been living in Judge Smiths house
on Lincoln avenue. Baxter broke away
from the opium habit soon after MS fam
lily came and has evadeo such things for
some time. Yesterday morning, just
about daylight, after drinking quite
heavily, be went to the opium joint with
a couple of regular habitues of the place
and there he smoked the pipe which
caused his death.
A man could not find a more dismal
and uninviting place in which to meet
mis- death. From the alley a door opens
up to what appears to be a regular Chi
nese laundry, with its ironing tables.
stoves, etc. To the right Is another room
about ten feet square, with two low
hunks covered with hay, pillows stuffed
with cornhusks ard a filthy quilt on each
bunk In here Bakers friends took
their whack a. the pipe, and after few
hours revived and were ready to go
away. In the attic above, which was
reached by a winding pair of stairs
about IS inches wide, the side walls ris-
ing only about two feet above the floor, |
and then the roof coming to a point a
few feet above, with only shingles and |
rafters in sight and little window in |
one end to let in few struggling rays of |
light, and IL bunk similar 10 the ones !
in the room below, there is where Baxter |
breathed his last.
His two companions, after recovering |
from their stupor. went UP stairs TO find |
If Baxter was ready 10 go away. They |
found him brea thing hard. in ar uncon- |
scious condition. and hastily summoned |
a physician and some of his intimate
friends among the sporting fraternity.
Baxter was dead. however, before assist |
arce arrived.
Two Cinnamon, who were in charge |
Of the place. named Ye Hoe and Sue
Wah, were arrested by Marshal Allen
and placed in the city jail pending the
result OF the inquest which will be held
al $50 this morning. The dead man was
removed 10 Fairley's undertaking estab-
lishment in Colorado Springs, where the
inquest will be held. Marshal Allen Sc
cured a trunk filled with numerous OPT
Im pipes, needles, amps and opium in
in cans and took them to the police sta
ion.
There was considerable excitement
among Bakers friends for some time
after his death, but everything gradually
iuieted down. and no trouble ensued, al
hough a number OF Cinnamon hastily
packed their grips and left town as soon
Is the death of Baxter became known.
He was So years old. and leaves a
wife. by a second marriage, and a boy
~ his former wife.
Inc matter Will De thoroughly l0NeS-
isated by the police"
Isaac Varney, for whom Baxter work
ID frequently in this city, received let
er yesterday which stated that Baxter
vas not addicted to the opium habit but
while on drunk was taken by some
hop fiends" ard tae Cinnamon thinking
hat he. too. was habiiue. gave him the
)i0e loaded with enough oni,r, n xiii
laf a dozen novices- The Chinaman has
iEce been arrested. Ed was smart
elbow, big hearted and generous. His
riends always considered i a great pity
hat he did not follow legitimate pro-
essioc OF some kind