The times., 1901-06-10
A BULLET In HIS TEMPLE
4 Salesman Injuries Himself and
Expresses a Wish to Die.
Ernest Baker Fires a Shot Into His
own Hend-No Cause Known for
the Acf-The Hospital Physician
Thinks His Recovery Is Probable.

Ernest Baker Fires n Shot Into His
own Hend-No Cause Known for
the Acf-The Hospital Physician
Thinks His Recovery Is Probable.
Ernest /. Baker, a salesman, en-
ployed by Daniel Miller & Co, dry
goods, of Baltimore, Nd, whose home
is at the boarding house of Miss Al
berta skinner, POS z Street northwest,
is at the Emergency Hospital, suffering
from a self-inlicted bullet wound in the
right temple. He shot himself late yes
terday afternoon in his second-stOry
bedroom at the boarding house, and last
night was reported to be in a serious
condition. Nobody saw the shooting,
about which mystery appears to hover
because of attending circumstances.
Baker said last night that he courted
death; that he would surely end his life
in case Of recovery from the pistol shot
wound. No cause for the deed can be
assigned by friends. Mrs. Baker. wife
of the patient was notified Of the shoot
ing last night. and will come here today
from Orange County, Va, together with
Bakers uncle, whose home is at Fred
ericksburg, Va.
At the boarding house yesterday
afternoon. besides Baker, were Mr.. and
Mrs. W. ". Skinner, parents of Miss
Skinner. both of them being on the
first floor of the house when the shoot
ing occurred Baker had been out most
of the day, but returned to the house
about o'clock and went at once to his
room Nothing more was heard from
him for an hour or more.
Shortly after 4 o'clock a pistol shot
rang out, and the windows being open
in Bakers room, the report was heard
across the street. AIr. Skinner says he
heard the shot. but mistook it for the
slamming of a door. Several minutes
later he was startled While walking
through the hallway to hear groans and
feeble calls for help from Bakers room.
Going upstairs Mr.. Skinner opened the
door of the room occupied by Baker,
which was unlocked, and went in.
Baker was standing up, with both
hands covering his head, and blood
pouring from a wound in his right tenn
pie He sat down on the bed a moment
later. The revolver, a .3S calibre. from
which one shot had been fired, lay be-
side him.
The report of the pistol served to at
tract nearly hundred people about the
front of the boarding house, and some
body ran around the corner to summon
DR.. hewitt, the Coroner. to attend the
patient Dr. hewitt was not at home.
Mr.. Skinner. meanwhile, ran out Of his
house and across the street to the Of
fee of DR.. William Walker, 221 E Street
northwest. DR.. Walker responded and
went TO the bedside of Baker. He found
the patient nervous, both from the ef-
fects of the wound and from liquor.
While not intoxicated, it was evident,
the physician says, that Baker had been
drinking. Everything possible was
done for him; the wound was cleansed
and bandages applied. 1t was said
afterward that Baker has a fair chance
for recovery.
a telegram was sent shortly after the
shooting to Mrs. Baker, who has been
spending several weeks with her father
and young child in Virginia Word was
received later of her coming here today.
An intimate friend Of Baker, George
r. Richardson, a salesman, whose home
is at 916 I Street northwest, and who is
connected with Guy, Curran & Co, Of
this city, called with Mrs. Richardson
last night. and spent some time at the
bedside OF his friend. Mr. Richardson
told a reporter that Baker was to ac-
company him this morning on bust
ness trip into Virginia, especially to
Fredericksburg. Plans for the journey
had already been made. Mr.. Richard
son also said he thought the shooting
Was an accident He had known bake
many years, and knew Of nothing which
would cause him to attempt self de-
struction. It is understood Raker has
been employed by Miller 6. Co. about a
year and a half. at a salary Of $1,000 per
year.
DR.. Walker was seen last night by a
reporter. He said be had found the
bullet, which caused the wound in Ba-
ker's skull, in crack Of the looking
glass, where it had evidently fallen
after passing out at the bridge of the /
nose of his patient Apparently the /
bullet had broken the mirror. DR.. Wal /
kcr stated that the revolver was on the Z
bed when he arrived at the house. !
Baker WAS then unable 10 make any
statement about the affair at all
On q second cali on his patient last
night DR.. Walker found his condition
and decided 30 send him TO
the hospital. Accordingly a call was
sent to the Emergency Hospital, and .
The ambulance respon led. Baker was
TO the hospital There he
stated that he wanted 10 die. He gave
no reason for expressing such a desire
Dr. Walker expressed the opinion that
there was good chance for Bakers
-ecovery.