The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-03-09
OFFICIAL REPORT
ON LAKE CITY CASE.
The Outrage Formally Re-
ported TO the Cabinet.

IuS Outrage TOEudIsy No
ported 20 the Cabinet.
Wasaington. March 40 day's :
cabinet meeticg occupied about shsce
hours ard at lis cooclusion 1t vas
announced that noth;ug Of 80 impostacs
nascre had occurred No Information
Of any character, it is stated, bad been
received, either from General Lee or
the oourt G: iuquiry.
An hour or more OF the ti@e Of the
cabioes session was occupied in the
reading of a long report from the spe-
ciai ageot Of the posto6ce department.
90 the killing of Baker. the colored
postmaster at Lake City. S. Z. In
view Of the peculiar circumstances con-
uected with the murder and the enor-
nifty of the crimes. it was decided to
increase tie governments reward to
81, 500 ia each c.se Every effort will
be made by the fedora! authorities to
bring the guilty parties to justice.
The report on tho case was presented
by Postmaster General Gary aud the
action taken by the cabinet 10 the offer
ing of rewards for the apprehension
aod conviction Of the guilty persons Is
said to be the most energetic ever
agreed on by aoy administration 10 q
similar case. Il is probable that the
postofice department will detail other
inspectors to assist those now on the
field iu fe.resing out she murderers and
the large anoups Of reward offered, i. is
thought will induce private detectives
to work in the Case
Il is said that Attorney General
Griggs holds to the opioion that tbs
federal government will have jurisdic-
iioD over the mrrderers when captured
unless they are FIRST taken by the State
authorities Baker. is is held, vas an
officer Of the government 10 the dis
charge of his duty add the attack on
him was similar to an attack on deputy
marshal or other official
Postmaster General Gary expresses
the determination 70 do everything IN
bis power to ascertain the identity Of
the guilty parties 10 response to in-
quiries he made public the following
statement in regard 60 the case:
"The depar.mont is in possession of
preliminary report from ito representa-
tiyes in regard to this sad tragedy,
from which few details may be given.
The widow of the murdered postmaster
has been interviewed and her story in
brief ia about as follows.
"They were awakened some time
in the early morning by the smell OF
fire and smoke and upon rising found
that the house was in flames. Bsker
attempted to extinguished the fire,
but soon discovered that this would
be impossible. He then told his
wife he would 60 to the door and
call for help. AS soon as he opened
the door the firing began and storm
of bullets struck the door and house.
Mrs. Baker said that her husband
then fell on his knees and prayed fol
protection The heat and smoke be-
came so unbearable at length that
they could no longer remain in the
house. On again appearing at the
door they were greeted with another
volley of bullets.
"The first one of the family to be
killed waa the baby in its mothers
arms, bullet striking it in the side
Mrs. Baker saw the wound aud told
her husband that the baby was killed
A second later he fell back against
her dead. She and the other chill
dren were struck st this time OF
just as they escaped from the build
ing. Mrs. Baker had the younge,
girls with her when they got ont
They ran until they were exhausted
| and fell down. The older girls wen,
into neigbboring field and remained
there until they heard no more sounds
from the vicinity of their old dwell.
ing. Lnte ct night all found shelter
at the house of some of their colored
friends.
"The mother aud children say they
saw men standing about the trees
and bushes near the house, but were
unable to recognize any one.
Mrs Baker is reported to be 6
small, flail woman, about IS years o.
age She has gunshot wound in
the left forearm and the bones are
fractured Rosa, the Oldest daughter
aged about l6 years, received gun.
shot wound which broke the bones
about the left elbow. Cora, the next
girl, was shot in the right hand and
wrist A son, about IL years o.
age, has one serious wound in the
abdomen and another in the right
forearm, both bones Of the arm be
ino broken and Dadlv shattered he