Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-03-05
i. S. COVE RN MENT,
Will Use Every Energy to Locate and
Punish the Inhuman Fiends Who
Murdered Postmaster Baker.

Washington, d. G., March 4.-To-
days cabinet meeting occupied about
three hours, and at its conclusion it
was announced that nothing Of an i'm
pOrtant nature had occurred No in
formation of any character, it was
stated, had been received either from
Gen. Lee or the court Of inquiry, nor
had any information reached the gov
eminent as to the character Of the in
formation SO far obtained by the court
or as to when the court would con-
clude it's investigation and make it's
report.
An hour or more Of the time of the
cabinet session was occupied in the
reading OF a long report from the
special agent of the Postoffice Depart
ment on the killing Of Baker, the col
Ored postmaster at Lake City, 5. G..
In view of the peculiar circumstances
Connected with the murder, and the
enormity Of the crime it was decided
to increase the governments reward to
81 500 in each case. Every effort will
be made by the federal authorities to
bring the guilty parties to justice.
The report on the case was present.
ed by Postmaster General Gary, and
the action token by the cabinet in the
Offering of rewards for the appre-
hension and conviction of the guilty
persons is said 10 be the most ener-
getic ever agreed Oh by any admins
tration in a similar case. 1T is prob
able that the Postoflice Department
viii detail other inspectors to assist
those now on the field in ferreting out
the murderers ard the large amount of
reward offered, it is thought, will in.
duce private detectives
TO WORE. ON THE CASE.
1t is said that Attorney General
Griggs holds to the opinion that the
federal government win have iuris-
diction over the murderers when cap
tured, unless they are first taken by
the State authorities Balar, it is
held was an officer Of the government
in the discharge Of his duty. and the
attack on him was similar to an at
tack on a deputy marshal or other
official.
Postmaster General Gary exr<assed
the determination to do everything in
his power to ascertain the identity Of
the guilty parties. In response to in
qUiries, he made public the following
statement in regard to the case:
THE department is in possession
of preliminary report from its repre-
sentatives in regard to this sad trag-
edy, from which few details may be
given. The widow Of the murdered
postmaster and her story in brief, is
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. Baker at
tempted to eXtinguished the fire, but
soon discovered that this would be i'm
possible. He then told his WIFE that
he would go to the door and call for
help. AS soon as he opened the door
the firing began, and a storm of bull
let's struck the door and house Mrs.
Baker then said that her husband fell
on his knees and prayed for protec-
ton. The heat and smoke became 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 TO BE KILLED
was the baby in it's mothers arms,
bullet striking it in the side. Mrs.
Baker saw the wound and told her
husband that the baby was killed. A
second later he fell back against her,
dead She and the other children were
struck by the bullets at this time or
Just as they escaped from the building.
Mrs. Baker had the younger girls with
her when they got out and they ran
until they were exhausted and fell
down. The Older girls went into
field and remained there
until they heard no more sounds from
the vicinity of their home Late at
night all found shelter at the house Of
some Of their coIored friends.
The mother and children say they
saw men standing about the trees and
bushes near the house. but We're UNI
able to recognize any one.
''Mre. Baker is reported 10 be q small,
frai woman about IS years Of age. She
has a eunshot wound ia the left fore arm
ana the bones are fractured. Rosa, the
Oldest daughter, aged about is years, re-
ceived a gumshot wound which broke the
bones above the LETT elbow. Cora, the
next girl. was shot in the right hand and
wrist A son, about IA years Of age, has
one serious wound in the abdomen, and
another wound III tho right forearm, both
bones Of the arm being broken and badly
shattered His condition is serious and he
is not expected 70 live. Two very young
girls. completing tho family, escaped IN
hurt.
VT II needless for me To add that the
administration, together with all good cit
liens Of the country. III whatever section
they may reside. fully appreciates the
ENORMITY on THE CRIME
which has been committed, not only
against this uuonending man ana his
family. but against the government as
represented by the postmaster, aga as
sure you that thu postoffioe department.
in cooperation with the department OF
justice will 40 everything in It's power to
apprehend ana convict the men who COM
mitted this terrible outrage Both Of the
departments mentioned are using every
means in their power 70 the end that JUS
tice may he meted out to the criminals.
MANY FINE COLTS.
Louisville. XIV, March 4-Secreatry