Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-03-08

that the post office department will de-
tall other inspectors to assist those now
on the field in ferreting out the muir
derers, and the large amount of reward
offered, it is thought, will induce pri-
vate detectives to work on the case.
1t is said that Acknowledgement
Griggs holds to the opinion that the
federal government will have jurisdic-
ton over the murderers when captured
unless they are first taken by the state
authorities. Baker, it is held, was an
officer of the government in the dis
charge of his duty and the attack on
him was similar to an attack on dep
uty marshal or other official.
Postmaster-General Gary expresses
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 Widows story.
THE department is in possession of a pre-
liminary report from its representatives in
regard to this sad tragedy, from which
few details may be given. The widow of
the murdered postmaster has been inter
viewed. and her story, in brief, is about
as follows: They were awakened some
time In the early morning by the smell of
nre ana smoke, and upon rising, found
that the house was in flames Baker at
tempted to extinguish the fire, but soon
discovered that this would be impossible
He then told his wife that he would 20
to the door and call for help. AS soon as
ne 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 for pro-
lection. The heat and smoke became so
unbearable at length that they could no
longer remain in the house. On again an
peartng at the door. they were greeted with
another volley of bullets
Father and Babe Killed.
The first one Of the family to be killed
was the baby in Its mothers arms. bull
let striking 1t 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 build
Ing. Mrs Baker had the younger girls
WIN her when they got out, and they ran
until they were exhausted and fell down,
The older girls went into a neighborine
field and remained there until they heard
no more sounds from the vicinity of their.
old dwelling. Late at night all found shell
ter at the house of some Of their colored
saw men standing about the trees and
bushes near the house, but were unable to
recognize anyone.
Wounds of Mother and Daughters
Mrs. Baker is reported to be a small.
frail woman, about IS years of age. She
has gunshot wound In the left forearm.
and the bones are fractured Rosa. the
Oldest daughter. aged about 16 years re-
ceived gunshot wound which broke the
bones above the left elbow Cora the nevt
girl, was shot in the right hand and wrist.
A son, about II years of age, has one seri-
Gus wound In the abdomen and another
wound in the right forearm. both hona.
OF the arm being broken and badly shat
tered. His condition is serious. and he
is not expected to live. Two very younp
girls. completing the family, escaped IN.
hurt
VIII See Justice Done.
Gen. Gary concludes:
ut Is needless for me to add that tho
administration, together with all good Gift
zens of the country, in whatever section
they may reside, fully appreciates the
enormity Of the crime which has been
committed, not only against this unof-
Tending man and his family, but against
the government. as represented by the
postmaster, and assure you that the post
office department, in cooperation with the
department OF justice. will do everything In
Its power to apprehend and convict the men
VINO committed this terrible outrage Both
OF the departments mentioned are using
every means in their power to the end
that justice may be meted out to the GRIM
inals.''
senate.
Washington, March 5.--After debate
lasting several days the senate late
Friday afternoon passed the bill ex-
tending the homestead laws and provid-
ing for right of way for railroads in the
district of Alaska. Comparatively little
discussion of general interest was Gre
ated by the bill. Section 10, provid-
ing for certain bonding concessions to
Canada in lieu of privileges to be ex-
tended by the dominion government to
THIS country, however, induced pretty