The Newtown bee., 1900-04-27

l Newtown people were not prepared fol the sad intelligence that came over the wire on Wednesday morning, announcing the death of Alpheus G. Baker of Wash. ington and Hawleyville, at the former place. MT Baker was taken i'll about 1C days ago, and went at once to Washing. ton, that he might have the attention oi his family physician, Dr Ford, who is also his brother-in-law. Blood poisoning developed, causing his death at about g o'clock on Wednesday.
 His death comes as 8 shock and a real loss to the people of Hawleyville and Newtown, to say nothing of Washington, where he was also highly esteemed.
 Ira Baker, the grandfather of A. G. Baker, was born at the old homestead in Washington, and in early manhood en. gagged in agricultural pursuits. He took an 1T fiuential part in local affairs, and was regarded ss one of the leading men of the town. In 1861 he was accidentally killed by the discharge of gun.
 The late Samuel A. Baker, A. G. Ba- ker's father, inherited the homestead, and he lived on it until about i've years before his death, which occurred in 1880. He was man of fine natural abilities, and as his prudence and good judgment were proved bytsuccess in his own enterprises he was often called upon to act for others in the capacity of guardian, trustee and administrator of estates. He was leader in the democratic organization, and was for great many years first selectman of his town. In religious faith he WAS an Episcopalian, and for many ears served as vestryman and warden In St Johns church at Washington. He married Miss Elizabeth M. Hickok Ca daughter of Austin and Betsey Hickok, of Naugatuck, Conn. ), who died in September, 1898, at the age of 80 years; her death was the direct result of fall. Mrs Elizabeth M. Baker was 8 woman endowed with an exceptionally beautiful character, and she died beloved by every man, woman and child who had ever had the good fortune to come in contact with her.
 Alpheus G. Baker, the only son of Mir and Mrs Samuel A. Baker, was born at the old homestead May 20, 1947. His ed- ucation, except for few terms at outside boarding school, was acquired in the pub lie and private schools of his native town, Washington having achieved almost 8 national reputation for the excellency of iCs private schools. Later, however, he spent one summer in the law office of Judge Origen s. Seymour, at Litchneld, Conn.,, where he studied business law and forms. His business career began as 8 clerk and later as partner in the estab- lishment of K. J. Hurlburt, who then carried on general country store. When, in 1870, the Shepaug railroad was built through Washington MT Baker was early on the ground, and he secured desira- ble half-acre of land near where the depot was finally located and erected the fl st building in what is now the thriving village of Washington Depot. He formed partnership with his brother-in- law, the late s. l.. Brinsmade, and these two young men started a general mercantile business. AS their patronage inLress sed each year they added new buildings, in which were carried on tailoring, millinery, harnessmaking, shoemaking, timing and plumbing, furniture business, 8 market and poste flee. in addition to the original line of general merchandise as first started. Their business grew and expanded, and thriving village sprang up around them, but the clcss attention necessitated by the many details of their large business soon began to undermine the health of both partners, and under medical advice the business was sold out in 1880.
 MT Baker immediately went into the open.range cattle business in south western Colorado and northern New Mexico, stock company being formed of which he was president. He moved at once to Colorado and took up his abode in a log cabin at the ranch in the noun tains, some 30 miles from the nearest settlement, taking in as partner and co. worker on the range with him V. s Weaver (now deceased) who was for. merly clerk in his business at Washing | ton. A wild, mountainous range some 50 miles in length by 15In width between the Los Pinos and Piedra rivers was taken up and stocked with some 4 4.00C he ad of cattlo. They were right in among the Navaioes, the Apaches and Southern Ute Indiars, and at this time numerous bands of white and Mexican horse and csttle thieves infested the borders of the reservation. A band of cowboys wal employed ard Mir Baker was in ths saddle with them continually, sharing every hardship and danger. He experi enced an exceedingly rough and hazard ous time during the first initiatory year but this rough experience, it proved wal Ijust the thing needed to bring his healtf up again to the "top notch.n Hi used to go down to lowe
 Texas and Mexico and gather herd
 of cattle for restocking the Celorad, ranch, driving through from 1,500 t, 2 GOO head of cattle In bunch, and spend ing four months on the trail. exposed b, night and day to trouble from Mexicana