The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-03-05
cortes the mob mounted their horses and

eortes. the mob mounted their horses and
rode away
When appointed Baker had attempted to
secure an office somewhere within the linn
its OF the town, but being refused had re-
sorted TO a log cabin that he had built on
land belonging TO negro about a mile
from the corporate limits. This, with its
one room, served the double purpose of
postosiice and a dwelling for his family.
with his clerk. young negro named Brave
boy The first attack made on him was
several months ago. when Braveboy was
shot and severely wounded. From a state
ment made by Bakers wife. who survives,
Baker was then confident or government
protection and determined TO stand his
ground and offer resistance. Lake City is
In a thinly settled negro district, and he
had little trouble in surrounding himself
with a bodyguard OF five or six men. who,
fully armed, were constantly IN the house.
This state OF Siege lasted for several weeks,
during which Bakers vile says no con-
stantly received anonymous letters threat
cning him with death ard signed by The
White League"
Three months ago matters were brought
10 a climax by the burning or the postoftice.
Baker charged the turbulent element in the
community with the crime while his ene-
mics urged that he had done Il himself 20
cover up his ineompeJency by destroying
the records In the Office 1t was expected
that the blame would be fixed. but no active
steps were taken By the government 10
locate tho incendaries. The house in which
the unfortunate man was murdered Mon,
day night was built on the spot where the
other was burned.
In her statement his wife said;
We were warned during the evening
that they would come TO Kill US but we
rad heard so much about being killed tina,
we paid no attention 10 IL. We went 20
3D. ~ linz
his pistol on a small table by the bed,
where he always kept H. / was up once
after We went 70 bed and looked out doors.
but d.d not see any one. The next thing |
knew vas when somebody ran through the
yard. Then heard some one whistle and
then there was the report or several guns
and l heard the bullets his the house. II
was on!y a thin plank house, and the bull
lets pass Il through It, ~ne OF them hit A
d.shpan mat hung on the wall and knock
ed IL down. making big noise. My hus-
band jumped out OF bed and ran toward
the door. tellng me 20 bring the children
aBd follow him % the swamp, where he
could hide until daylight.
when be swung the door open a bah
hit him aud no fell back on the floor. An
other bah hit the baby IN my arms and its
bleed spurled all over me. Then | was nit
and dropped The baby There must have
been more than 100 men shooting at the
house Tor the bullets came tnick and be-
fore We could get out had hit every enc IL
us. I hardly had strength 20 drag myself
away from the house before the men set
fire 20 Il. They cheersd and cursed us all
the time they wsre shooting and when they
saw that they mad hit every one Of US they
said they hoped We would ali die There
were some men that I knew tn the crowd
and when the time comes 1 w.ll pat my I'm
ger on them. The lawyers have told me
moi 20 say any snors now.
Statements we're also made by the two
older chiidrea which agree with thai OF
their mother The ashes % the burned
house were strapped aside today and the
charred remains Of TIE pos master and the
infant recovered They saFo burned be-
ya1s recognition. ard 10 such az extent
taat 50 was impossible 20 locate the wounds
from wAlch they died
Il vas oHly last week that an inspector
q the department. submitted 4 report of
fhss ease. and advised that tae poatoffice %
Lake cay De- sboAsRsd because OF the con-
tant iutlmldatlaBs o. tha postmaster. The
town 81 abou1 slxfy miles Eorga 81 Charles
ten. u Williamsburg county. ard has be-
tween te9 ard So Inhabitants most of
taern being eoloTeI- BAKER vas appointed
IN September laSf. but dsd not take charge
q E1e osice until December. because Il
protests Senator Tliuau has been par
t.ellarfy sc.3ve In his opposition amd pss-
serted a number % petitions and com NUM-
Catsoas % The department. SAYING taAf the
patrons % the Lake city eggl1e -xere a
proud people. and wo2]d nat take their
mall from a a&sgsr" a. inspector = 10
N4z Sent down 20 MAKE Al Inquiry reported