The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-05
THE LAKE CITY SHOOTING.
The Wife of the Late Postmaster Gives
Details of the Crime.

WASHINGTON. March To-day Cabi-
net meeting occupied three hours, and
at is conclusion 10 was announced that
nothing Of an important nature had oc-
CURED.
40 information. Of any character, it
was s.a ed had been received. either
from General Lee or the court of inquiry.
An hour or more OF the time OF tho
Cabinet session was occupied I'm The read
ing Of a long report from the special
agent of the Post-Olhce Department on
the killing OF Baker The co.ored post
master al Lake CITY. s. G.
In view OF the peculiar circumstances
connected with The murder and The enor-
nifty Of the crime, IL was decided 20 in-
crease the Government reward 10 $3.50
in each case.
Every effort win be made by the Fed
cral authorities 10 bring the guilty par
ties 90 justice.
The report on the case was presented
by Posimaster-Gcnerai Gary. and thc ac-
ton taken boy the Cabinet IN The o6crug
of rewards for the apprehension and cone
y.ction of tho guilty persons Us said 90
De most energetic over agreed on boy any
administration bon "a similar case
II is probable that the rostofilce De-
parunent Will detail other insle .,ors 90
assist those now in the field o. ferre-lns
Out The mrrdercrs. and the large amount
of reward offered. it is thought. VIII Inc
duce private detectives % work ON tae
case.
u is said that At-orncy-General Griegs
holds 90 the opinion tLat the Federal Gov
crnment viii have jurisdiction over thc
murderers, even ~ Trey are first taken Dy
the : ate authorities.
Baker it is held. was an officer OF the
Government in the discharge of Dis duty,
ana the attack upon him was similar TO
an aitack upon "a deputy marshal or other
Official
Tostmastor-Ccnoral Cary expresses the
determination 90 DO everything in h'8
power TO- ascertain the identity Of Tho
guilty parties. ln response 90 inquiries.
be made public the following statement.
'"rhe department g. in pc session OF n
preliminary report from its representa-
tivcs In regard 10 This sad tragedy. from
which few details may BE- given.
1.-THE widow OF the murdered posu0as-
ter has been interviewed and her story
ia bIiel Us about as follows
"Thev were awakened some time I'm the
early morning by the smell OF fire and
smoke. and upon rising found that the
house was r flames. Bal e. attempted 10
eytinguished the flames but soon discov-
cred tnat this would De impossible He
thcr told his wife he would 90 TO the
door and call for help. IS soon as he
opened the door the firing began and a
storm OF bullets struck the door and
house.
Bakers wife said that her husband
then fen on his knees and prayed for pro-
lection The heat and smoke became so
uni earable at .ength that they could no
longer remain in the house. On again
81 IL Fla..ar r.fsn .fa.ft
wiki another voley Of bullets
"The first one Of the family 10 be Killed
was the baby in It's mothers arms a but
lct striking it 90 the side. The mother
saw the wound and told her husband that
the baby was killed \ second later he
fen hack against her dead. She and the
other children were struck by the bulets
at this time or just as they escaped from
the building.
'Raker's wife had the younger girls
withe her when they got out. They ran
until they were exhausted and fell down.
The older girls went into nelghhofing
field and remained there until they heard
no more sounds from the vicinity OF their
old dwelling. Late az night all found
shelter az the house Of some OF their col
ored friends.
"The mother and children say they saw
men standing about the trees and BUSH
es near the house but were unable 10
/ recognize any one.
"Rako~'s vile Is reported 20 be q
small fran woman about thlrty-hve years
old. She has a gun-shot wound IN the
left forearm and the homes are fractured.
Rosa. the Oldest daughter, aged about
sixteen years. received q gun-shot
wound which broke the bones above the
left elbow. Cora. the next Tirl was shot
IA the right hand and wrist. A son.
about eleven years Of age. has ore seri-
Gus worn1 In the abdomen and another
wound in the right forearm. both bOncs
uf the arm being broken and badly shat
tered. He is not expected 10 live. The
iwo Vory yuucg gir.a, completing the
family escaned uAhur,.
1T is needless for me TO add that the