The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-05
BAKERS MURDER BARBAR0uS.
THE GOVERNMENT REWARDS IN
CREASED TO $4,000.

Every Effort Possible to he Made by
the Federal Authorities to Bring
the Guilty Parties TO Justice-En-
ergetic Action in the Matter De-
cIded on Mt a Meeting of the Cab
inet-BaLer Looked Upon as am
Omcer OF the Government.
Washington, March 4.-To-days cabinet
meeting occupied about three hours, oDd
at it's conclusion II was announced that
nothing of an important nature had oc-
Cured. No information of any character,
It was stated. had been received, either
from Gen. Lee or the court of inquiry. 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 ths
postoffice department on the killing OF Ba-
ker, the colored postmaster at Lake Citys
s. c.
In view of the peculiar circumstances
connected with the murder and the enor-
nifty of the crime, 1t was decided to in
crease the governments reward 10 81. 500 in
each case. Every effort will be made by
the federal authorities to bring the guilty
parties to justice.
The report of the case was presented
by Postmaster General Gary and the ac-
tion taken by the cabinet in the Offering
of rewards for the apprehension and con-
vlction OF the guilty persons Is said to
be the most energetic ever agreed upon
by any administration in a similar case-
1t is probable that the postoffice depart
ment will detail other inspectors TO as
sst those now on the field In ferreting
out the murderers and the large amount
of the reward offered. Ii is thought. will
induce private detectives to work on the
case. 1t is said Attorney General Griggs
holds to the opinion that the federal gov
ernment will have jurisdiction over the
murderers when captured, unless they are
first taken by the state authorities.
Bif1Ser, It Is held, was an officer OF the
government in the discharge of his duty
and the attack on him was similar to am
attack on a deputy marshal or other Off
cal.
Postmaster General Gary expresses the
determination to do everything In his
power to ascertain the identity Of the
guilty parties. In response to Inquiries
he made public the following statement In
regard to the case:
1.-THE department is In possession of a
preliminary report from it's representatives
In regard to this sad tragedy, from which
a few details may be given. The widow
of the murdered postmaster has been in
terviewed 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 attempt-
ed TO extinguish the flames, but soon dis
covered that this would be impossible He
then told his wife he would go to the door
and call for help. AS soon as he opened
the door the firing began and a storm OF
bullets struck the door and house. Mrs.
Baker said that her husband then fell on
his knees and prayed for protection. 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 vol-
ley of bullets.
1.-The first one of the family to be killed
was the baby in its mothers arms a buliet
striking IL 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 They
ran until they were exhaustedx and fell
down. The older girls went into a neigh
boring field and remained there until they
heard no more sounds from the vicinity
of their own dwelling Late at night all
found shelter at the house of some of their
colored friends.
''The mother and children say they saw
men standing about The trees and bushes
near the house, but were unable to reoog-
nize any one.
MRS Baker Is reported to be a small.
frail woman about 35 years of age. She
has a gunshot wound In the left forearm.
and the bones are fractured.
Rosa, the Oldest daughter, aged about
16, received a gunshot wound which broke
the bone above the left elbow.
Cora, the next girl, was shot in ths
right hand and wrist. A son about IL
years of age has one serious wound In
the abdomen and another wound in the
right forearm, both bones of the arm being
broken and badly shattered. He is nor
expected 10 live; two very young girls,
completing the family, escaping unhurt
IT Is needless for me to add
that the administration, together
with all good citizens of the country, in
whatever section of the country they may
reside, fully appreciate the enormity of
the crime which has been committed
not only against the unoffending man and
his family. but against the government az
represented by the postmaster, and 1 as
sure you that the postoffice department.
in cooperation with the department OF
Justice, will do everything in its power
to apprehend and convict the men who
committed this terrible outrage. Both of
the departments mentioned are using ev-
cry means in their power to the end that
justice may be meted out TO the crimi-