The San Francisco call., 1899-07-12
Told the Fugitive's
Hiding-PlaCe.
RECEIVES A SMALL REWARD
HE FIRST WANTED FIVE HUN
DRED DOLLARS.
While Eavesdropping He Learned the
Whereabouts Of the Embezzler
and Informed the De-
tectiVes.

Willard Baker, the fugitive embezzler
who escaped officers at the ferry depot,
was betrayed to the police by Dr.. John
H. Decker. a dentist, who has an office in
the Phelan building. Decker learned tnat
Baker was in hiding in a room in the
Florence House at Ellis and Powell
streets and seeing a chance to make some
''easy money as he expressed 1t, he con-
cluded to inform the police. Going to the
Office of Chief Lees he announced that he
knew the whereabouts Of Baker, but de-
manded 800 for the information. Lees re-
ferred him to Inspector Morrtssey OF the
Boston police, who was in the office aIlx-
iously waiting for some news Of Baker s
whereabouts Decker, after introducing
himself, told the inspector that he had
positive information that the much want
ed eufbezZler was in a certain lodging
house.
at is to your interest to get him. sup
pose" carelessly remarked the enterpris-
ing dentist. Come up witt. a hundred
dollars and I'll put you next"
Morrissey proceeded to question Decker
and after satisfying himself that he knew
the whereabouts of Baker he offered him
forty dollars 10 betray his hiding place
After considerable hesitancy Decker ac-
cepted his offer and agreed to accompany
the inspector to the lodging house Where
Baker was concealed. Accompanied by
Morrissey and several local detectives
Decker went to the Florence House and
pointed out the room occupied by the
fugitive. On opening the door they found
Baker lying on a lounge engaged in read
ing a book. He offered no resistance when
placed under arrest and was at once
taken to police headquarters.
After he was safely locked up Decker
was paid the amount agreed on for be-
traying the helpless victim.
It developed yesterday that Decker
managed to learn of Bakers whereabouts
through a conversation he overheard In
g. POWell-street saloon. Baker, prior to
his arrest in Seattle, was one of the lead
E~T#e fasa flyf7a 4
WINGED OF his innocence the members or
the Seattle lodge made a vigorous fight
10 prevent the Boston detectives, who had
been sent after hlm, from taxing MN
back to the scene of his peculauons- He
was finally turned over to the Boston au-
thorities and brought to this city. w nile
at the ferry, preparatory to making the
trip eastward. Baker slipped away from
his captOrs and quickly disappeared in
the crowd. He lost no time in visiting a
barber shop, where he had his luXuriant
whiskers shaved off. Learning the names
OF several prominent members of the
Eagles he appealed TO them TO save him
from being taken back to Boston.
Evidently touched by his fearful words
of misguided confidence and convinced
that he was not a real criminal his fell
low Eagles took him to the Florence
House where they rented a room for him,
paying q weeks rent in advance. They
also stocked his room with provisions and
warned him against speaking to any of
the inmates.
several days later Decker, the enter
priSing dentist, happened 10 De IN the Sa-
loon Of one Of the men who was caring
for the Boston fugitive. He was convers-
Ing with a friend. who seemed anxious to
financially assist Baker in Guiding the po-
lice Decker listened attentivey to the
conversation and finally heard the saloon
keeper tell his friend that Baker was in
hiding in the Florence House. After
thinking the matter over Decker deter
mined to inform the police Of Bakers
whereabouts, providing he was rewarded
for his services His first intention was to
demand $500 for the information, but after
visiting police headquarters he got 'Cold
feet" and contented himself by asking for
300 He finally compromised on $40, with
the understanding that his name should
not be mentioned in connection with the
hetraNaI of Baker.