The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-12-23
He Had Been a Complete Mental
Wreck for Several Years Past.
CHARGED WITH WIFE MURDER
On Account of His Passion for Mrs.
GiImcr-Hc Was Found Guilty,
But on Rctriai Was Acquit-
ted-TriaI Created Intense
and Widespread Interest
~ the Time.

BRISTOL, VA. Dec 22-Speciai.-Dr
John a. p Baker. the principal in the
famous Baker-Gilmer case tried i'm Abb
ingdon ia lsqi. died last evening OF soft
onlng of the brain after being a mental
wreck for several years past.
lis trial was one of the most sensa-
tional ever recorded in the annals Of
Nlrsinia. and is yet fresh in the minds
Of the people of this section.
DIR. JOHN \. =. BAKER.
Dr. john s.. r.. Baker was born -FOUR
miles west of Abingdon, on the place now
known as the Charles Clyce farm. The
date of his birth is about the year ISL
So that he Was Gny-oight years of age
A marriage license was granted 10 him
and Miss suo G.. Davis, daughter Of
Joseph W. and Lucy Davis. by the clerk
of the court of Washington county. JAS.
c. Campbell oct. 90 1866
ON that day Dr. Baker and Miss Davis
were married. Rev J.. a.. Wiley J.. d.
officiating Tho nuDtials Werr .sie-
bratcd at the home OF the brides par
cnts At this time Dr Baker was
twenty-five years OF age. and was
young man with seemingly brilliant pros
poets The Young lady, who entrusted
her life 90 his care. was nineteen years
of age and was possessed of 1n ania-
hlc disposition. which was graced by nice
accomplishments
HIS YOUTH
From tlo time Of his marriage Dir.
Baker began 10 exercise Dis talents and
accomplishments in "a material way. Tie
was young man of excellent atain-
mcuts and rapidly gained favor as
ur4rficiue uhys iciln. He settled In his
native county near where he was born
and began life with an the Vigor of MS
louns manic Iu. 70 Nas not iong unN
Do had gained lucrative practice a~
physician. and This practice carried with
So the high esteem ard admiration among
whom Dr. Baker had cast his lol By
his commanding influence, fe was en-
ablcd between lQf and 1921. NOT only %
educate DIS children. but to accumulate
snug fortune.
Dr. Hakrr WAS not onIl promlu ni 90
bis business relations. but was promi-
nent in Church affairs. and built
church in tine county. known as Bakers
chapel Ills home had been one of the
utmost comfort. and his family WAS
hspp, one. with no cloud or gloom 10
M Tho pleasures of an opuleni home
MET MRS. GlLMER
some eight yoarr prior to 1891 Dr.
Baker met at Suuday-scho0l picnic
noar Wyndllc Va. Mrs. Nyudham r.
Gilucr the Wifo of wealthy farmer
or that c'mmuniiv From that day
fondut-s f0r each other WAS manifest
IIe afterwards became toe family phy-
sician of Mr. Glmor and bon this way
frequently mot Mrs. Gimcr As a re-
sut undue Intimacy followed but this
unloi~ foiffion Wa- INDUCED I'm for a
long time before 30 became the talk l0t
fhc community. Dr Baker would see
Mrs Golmer often at n.r home and they
also made 10 convenient to meet in Biis-
to and ai other points
BUNDLES or LETTERS.
Iu 1So AR Baker d'ed suddenly and
was buried without riou- suspicion of
foul play. but when f,W months later
an employc M hc Boxer home discovered
"a batch of letters ln am opening "a the
wall OF the brick residence. The whole
secret was ont. The letters We're carried
te the county officials and We're read 10y
thcm. These letters proved TO Doe from
Mrs Gumer TO Dr. Baker. and were
filled 90 overnowine with expressions of
n.r attachment for th- doctor
They also alluded 10 what seemed 60 ba
congriracy between DR. Baker and Mrs
Gilmer by which he was TO get rid cf
his wife and she her husband. 10 sp-
uearcd from the letters that d. Baker
had told Mrs. Gilmcr that ho got rid Of
- wife by poison.
: wsrIan, was issued for Dr. Baker.
charging him with the murder of his
wife hy poison. on "a sunday night in
Nay i@l C e. Counts. deputy shern.
arrested Dr Baker I'm the Methodist
church an Abingdon From this time the
story of me scandal spread ike Wild fire.
and tho people of Washington county
were mover before 50 ihoroushy aroused.
Dr. Baker was lodged IN jail. where ne
remained until August when his case
came up tor trial in the county court az
Abingdon. Judge Ward presiding.
SENSATIONAL TRIAL
After a sensational til lasting three
weeks. in which Mrs. Gnmer related the
stony OF nor conduct with Dr
Raker without reserve Or Baker was
found guilty and sentenced 90 death.
Tie was defended by able counsel n
Guiding Hon. John A Buchanan (now of
che Supreme bench). Hon. Frank :
Blair. EX-Attornev-Genersl of The stale.
and Hon. G. =. Trieg. Ex-Coneressroon
Among the lawyers for the prosecution
were Hon. H. =. Bailey. Of Bristol. Tudee
Hutton and Col J. c. Wysor OF Newburn
Inr jury was NpllpNrtA mainly OF men
who had been Dr Bakers lifelong
friends
The case was appealed 20 the Circuit
Court; and Judge Kelly on technicalnles
granted the defendant a new trial.
The second trial took place IN January
lSae and despite the strong evidence
against the prisoner. he was acquitted
The acouittlng Jury was summoned from
a c. unity adjoining Roanoke
Dr W H. Taylor. Of Richmond the
state chemist. figured conspicuousiy I'm
each trial as an expert witness ana testi
fed 70 having found arsenic IN the stom-
ech Of Mrs. Baker whose remains were
exhumed for an autopsy several months
after burial
After regainins his freedom. Dr. Baker
undertook 10 resume the practice Of med
lcne bui was practically unsuccessful
Depressed IN spirits. and perhaps con
science-iashed. his health declined until