The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-13
BAKERS PECULIAR STORY.
Report that He Acknowledged Rela-
tiOns with the Countess.
121 to 127
/. PENNSYLVANIA ST.

Ex-senator O. A. Baker, about whom
strange story was given publicity yester-
day. has not yet returned to his family at
Marion. but is still at the Denison Hotel. A
dispatch from Marion last night stated that
in an interview over the telephone yester-
day Mr.. Baker admitted his relations with
the Russian woman, who lives at Madison.
Wis, and who has brought sensational
story to light Mr.. Baker is credited with
saying that he made the acquaintance OF
the Countess of Nazimow while doing some
correspondence for the estate of man
named Marthi, who was connected with the
Soldiers Home at Marion. This man was
supposed to have relatives in Austria, and
while Attorney Baker was settling up the
estate he received a letter from the coun-
tess. In his interview yesterday Mr.. Baker
is quoted as saying: THE correspondence
continued for several months, growing to
tender nature She knew, however, that 1
was married. About the time of the death
of my daughter at Upland, about two and
half years ago, saw the error of my way
and wrote that everything between us must
stop. A few weeks later received a letter
from her stating that she en- route 10
this country, and was on her way TO Ma
rion. i telegraphed her to meet me AT Fort
Wayne and there she came on Oct. It, 1896.
I was weak, and she was a smooth adven-
turess. At that time she was twenty-eight
years old. From that time to the present L
have lived terrible life. She threatened to
60 to Marion and expose me before the peo-
pie. To protect my family / agreed to care
for her for a time until she could get to
teaching school. She taught French and
Russian in Austria. | saw that l was in
the meshes of a smooth adventures, and
from that time until this what l have done
has been to protect my family. 1t is not
true that / met her in New York and we
were married.
According to the Marion dispatch, Mr..
Baker admits he was present when a child
was buried, and paid its funeral expenses.
He then took the woman to Madison, WIS,
it is claimed, and did not see her
again until shortly before Christmas, when
he was summoned TO Madison by "A tele-
gram stating that his wife was very ill.,"
1t is claimed that Mr.. Baker admits going
to one of the Dakotas, where he obtained
a divorce from his wife in Marion. II is said
that he admits doing this while under the
lash and under threat Of exposure. The
countess had importuned him time and again
to marry her. it is said and then she would
go back to Austria, The alleged marriage is
supposed to have occurred two months ago.
Since then Mr.. Baker has been at his home
very little. Some time ago 1t Is understood
he decided valuable property to his wife
Mr. Baker was seen late last night and
asked as TO the statement credited 10 him
and coming from Marion. "All / can say,
remarked the ex-senator, lis that ] have
taken such steps will surely Vindicate
me-" He would not say whether or not he
had admitted his acquaintance and marriage
talk with friend of mine at Marion he
said, but the telephone was working badly
and I don't think either of us understood
very we'll what the other was saying.