The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-05
MURDER TO Be AVENGED.
Cabinet Exercised Over Postmaster
Bakers Killing.
LARGE REWARDS WILL BE OFFERED
Fifteen Hundred Dollars for Each
Participant in the Crime-hD
account of the Tragedy.

washington March 1.--IodayS cabinel
meeting occupied about three hours and
at its conclusion it was announced that
nothing of an important nature had oc-
CURED. No information of any character
it was stated. had boon received either
from General Lee or the court of inquiry.
eminent as to The character al the infor-
nation SO far obtained bv the court or az
to when the court would conclude its inves-
legation and make its report.
IN hour or more OF the tiln0 OF the cabi-
net session was occupied in the reading
OF long report from the special agent
of The postOfice department on the killing
of Baker the colored postmaster at Lake
City, s. G. In view of The peculiar cir
cumstances connected with the matter and
the enormity OF the crime it was decided
To increase the governments reward to
$500 in each case. Every effort Will be
made by the Federal authorities to bring
tue guilty parties to justice.
The report on the case was presented by
Postmaster General Gary and the action
taken by the cabinet in the offerings of re-
wards for the apprehension and conviction
Of the guilty persons is said to be the most
energetic ever engaged upon by any adj
ministration In a similar case II is prom
able that the postoffise department. Will
de,ail other inspectors to assist those now
in the field in ferreting out the murder
ers and the large amount of reward, il is
thought, Will induce private detectives to
work on the case.
II is said that Attorney General Grlggs
holds to the opinion that the Federal gov
eminent Will have jurisdiction 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 discharge of his duty.
and the attack on him was similar to an
attack on deputy marshal or other Of
fetal.
Postmaster General Gary expressed his
determination to do everything in his
power to ascertain the identity of The
guilty parties. In response to Inquiries he
made the following statement
me department is in possession of a
preliminary report from its representatives
in regard to Ibis sad tragedy. from which
a few details may be given.
The widow of the murdered postmaster
mas been interviewed and her story ia
about as follows They were awakened
some time in the early part of the morn-
ing by a small stir and smoke, ana arlsins,
luuuo that the house was in flames Baker
.. a itpt 10 eXtlnguish the fire. but soon
uisooVered mat this would be impossible
ne Then told his wife that he would eo n
the door and call for help. Az soon ss ~,
opened the door the firing began and
storm OF bullets struck the door and house
sirs. haker said that her husband thnn
.eii on mas knees aud prayed for prote,- |
,ion' Ihe heat and smoke became so I'M |
puaiupie al length that they could no
~ ~. ieliialh IN the house. On appearing
:. ,he door they were greeted with anotlsr
Volley of bullets
me hrst one oi the family TO be killed
Nas the baby in its mothers arms /,
'uhet striking it IN the side. Mrs. Rnherl
"a, aw me wound and told her husband that 1
ne paoy was killed. second later he
81 81 nack against her dead. She and the
liner children were struck by the bul,ets
= this time or just as they escanad II fron
u w., ouiiulns' Mrs. Baker had the Younger
lris WIN her when they got out and thev
an until they were exhausted and fall
oMn. me older girls went into a neigh
oring ned and remained there until they
{, -, no more sounds from the vicinity
:, their Old dwelling. Late at night tbay
u found shelter at the houses of some
Their colored friends. 'eNs
me mother and children saw they saw
zen standing about the trees and bushes
,'. tne mouse. but were unable 70 recog
i2e any one. ee
Mrs Baker is reported to be n small
81 woman about 30 years OF age. she
rs a snnshot wound in the left arm and
70 pones are fractured. Rosa, The Oldest
-agnser' aged about 16 years. received
suhsnot wound which broke the homes
'oye the left elbow, Cora, the naxt rirl
as shot In thu right hand and wrist
y, ABOUT II years old. has one serious
ound In The abdomen and another in the
gnu forearm. both bones of the arm
eng hroken~and badly shattered. His {
hdltion Is serious. and he is NOT ex- {
ciea to live. Two very young girls
the family. escaped unbuTt' {
~ Is needless for ME to add that tho
'piinlsration, together with all good cir
ms OF the country In whatever section
~ may reside, FULLY appreciate the enor {
IVY OF the crime which has been comm,,
9 not against this unoffendins man ana
: family. but against the government, ~, |
presented by. the postmaster and l AS
re you that the postoffice department vii, !
everything In its power 10 app,ebnnd l
= convict the men who committel thi.
rriele outrage. Roth Of the dgpartmentS
anuoned are using every means In the,r
wei TO the end that Justice NAV be met "a
! 70 the criminals esu q
rave you noticed the new rate for pos, T
ant Adsy' They don't cost much hn. !;