The Atlanta constitution., 1898-02-28
Action Taken by the Federal Authorities
in tie Killing Of Baker.
OFFERS REWARD FOR MOB
Also for the Men Who Fired the Post
office Building.
INSPECTORS WILL NOW BE SENT
To Investigate and Try To Locate the
Murderers of the Colored Post
master at That Place.

N.asbtn.ton February % Special. ,
Both the postofiice department and the de
partment of Justice took action today in
regard to the killing of the colorcd post
master Fraser b. Baker, AT Lake CITY
: c. Yesterday by mob composed of
white people Al the postotiice depart
ment this summary killing of one of the
appointees of that department was ofh"la'-
lv resented in She shape of rewards offered
bv the postmaster general early III the day
The disContnuance of the office was also
ordered. Before taking these rigid steps
The attorney general was conferred WITH
ana he too, promised TO take the matter
ND for official consideration, which he did
during the day. Postmaster General Gary
took up the matter with Fourth Assistant
Postmaster General Bristow the first thing
after he reached his office and 1t was de
eidcd TO offer a reward of 500 for the men,
berS of the mob who shot Postmaster
Baker and $500 for those who set fire to the
postoffice The office at Lake CITY was
ordered discontinued Indefinitely. The
nearest office IS three miles away. This
action WAS taken to punish the people of
the little town. who have boycotted the
office ever since the negro was appointed
and some Of whom have repeatedly SHOWN
their dislike Tor the negro o1nclal by
demonstrations OF various natures some OF
before this last fatal demonstration the
postoffce officials had been seriously con-
-idering the step of closing the office. one
Of the inspectors sent there by Chief IN
sDcctor Hamlet had recommended that tfis
was the only way in which to end the
trouble so if is said, and It is believed by
some that the likelihood of the discontinue
jure of the office was the last straw that
broke the camers back and caused yester-
days outbreak of the laWless element at
the place.
When Fourth Assistant Postmaster Cen
eral Bristow asked whether the dis
continuance OF the office at Lake City was
permanent or temporary he replied: we
may take them back into the union later
on; its owing to developments"
Attorney General tirjsgs took the matter
up during the day and teleSraphed United
States District Attorney Lathrop, Of SoIth
Carolina. asking him to aid him all he pos
sb.v could in bringing the guilty parties
to justice.
The federal government. OF course, has
Jurisdiction only to punish the breaking
unen and burning of the postotiice and the
interference with the United States mail
AS tn the killing of Baker. the state of
South Carolina has the jurisdiction to pun
jsn the murdorers. but the opinion IS eX-
pressed by some OF the postotfcc officials,
Assistant Postmaster General Tyner in
particular. that the perpetrators of the
rriOc can never be convicted by jury in
South Carolina which would probably be
composed partly of some Of the members
of tine mop itself.
The postoffi.e departments may dispatch
Inspectors 10 Lake Guy when the excite
}uant dies away TO work UP the cases for
The United States not being able to trust
The local officials TO this work on account
or The fact that they are so well known in
the community. Then it is thought tt at