The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-03-22
PROCEEDINGS IN DETAIL
A Full Report of the PreIimi-
nary Hearing in the
Baker Case.

opened the court and raped for order
The court room was crowded. On the
faces of the people there was an eager,
intent look that reflected the serious
matter to be heard DR. Baker had en-
tered a few minutes before, and sat with
his counsel His clear cut features bore
in them a look of earnest thought. He is
rather below the medium height of men.
His mustache is literally sprinkeled with
gray, yet there is but little of this seen
in his dark hair. He wore a dark bust
ness suit and during the entire session
OF the court had but few words with his
counsel.
Back of him, against the wall, sat the
brother of the late DR.. Bass. He is not
as large man, but is said to resemble
his brother greatly There were relatives
of both families in court, but no ladies'
were present.
The warrant was delivered to Judge
Brown by Deputy Sheriff jenkins, who
had DIR. Baker in charge, and this was
passed to Solicitor Daniels who read the
statutory words in which the killing was
set forth.
number of witnesses were sworn
and then Mr.. Fountain asked for q recess
till Senator Gillian, coming on a special
train, might reach the court The adj
journment was made till 1870 and at
that time Senator Gillian having arrived
the case was resumed and the witnesses
for the State were examined
THE STATE OPENS.
Mr. f. l.. Dancy, a brother n-law of
the late DR.. Bass, was first put on the
stand and was examined by Hon. 3. II.
Bum. He stated that on Monday morn
ing last he was in front of the posi-
office talking with DR.. Bass. when Or.
Baker passed, going into the post office.
AS he came from the post office DR.. Bass
struck DIR. Baker a number of blows. DR.
Baker got away from DR.. Bass and ran
across the street in a half crouching po-
Sltion. His coat was thrown back and
pistol could be seen in his hip pocket
and DR.. Bass was close after him, trying
to get it. Baker turned and Bass rushed
on him as Baker got out his pistol. Dr.
Bass caught the pistol in both hands and
swung It to one side as the first shot
was fired, this going into Cooks store
window. DR.. Baker wrenched himself
free from DR.. Bass, still retaining the
pistol. Il was a short distance away as
were others. Baker had his pistol point
ed at Bass as | dived forward and nearly
got between them when Baker fired, the
ball going in here (pointing to his right
side about two inches from the middle
of the vest and midway between the
pockets.) Dr. Bass was being held at
the time of the shots
At this time two men whom he be-
lieved were Mr.. Herbert Jenkins and Mr..
Martin Castarphen, had hold of DR.
Bass, and his hands were UP in front of
him. After Or. Baker fred he wrenched
the pistol from him, and on examination
it was found that two cartridges had
been used. 1t was after this that Dr.
Bass got out his pistol and fired
Being examined by Senator Don
nell Gillian, of the defence, he said that
he did not see DR.. Baker as he entered
the post office, but that the assault was
made on him by Dr. Bass as he came out
DR.. Baker went in the post office while
Dr. Bass, who had come out of the post
office, was talking to me about my wife
and child. In going by us to the
post office, DR. Baker passed near to DR..
Bass While DR.. Baker was in the post
office DR.. Bass was talking to me- As
Dr Baker came out the post office he
was assaulted by DR.. Bass, who struck
him several blows, DR.. Baker getting
back in the post-office and then running
from the post-office door half way across
the street. His pistol could be seen in
his hip pocket. and Dr. Bass was run
ming after him, trying to get at the
pistol, which was showing as DR.. Baker
ran in half crouching position with
his hand reaching as if trying to get his
pistol out. DR.. Bass was running after
him, grabbing at the pistol and caught
DIT Bakers coat, who then "shuckad'
out of it.
DR.. Bass he judged weighed about 2CO
pounds and DR.. Baker about 1870. Being
further asked as to whether DR.. Bass did
not appear to be strong physically he
said that he was large framed man and
had that appearance.
So far as he knew Dr. Baker had no
notice of an assault, nor were there any
words passed at any time in the conflict
He said that ne did not know that Dr.
Bass had pistol One was handed him
after the shootngq, and he was told il
was DR.. Bass
The first time after Dr. Baker got
away he ran into the street and then
NHcn BdSS Caught HIS COdt ne SiluCkGd
it and got away again. DR.. Bass kept
after him as Dr. Baker drew his pistol
and caught it. the pistol going off and the
ball going into Cooks window As DR..
Baker got away with the pistol and was
getting ready to shoot again l dived in
TO stop the shooting. but was just too
late, the ball going by me. Mr.. Herbert
jenkins and Mr. Martin Carstarphen at
this time had DR.. Bass by the arms
and this was the time of the second shot
that struck Dr.. Bass
In response to questions from Mr..
Bum, of the prosecution he said that
powder burns on the hands of DR.. Bass
showed that he had caught the pistol in
his hands as ii was fired the first time
when the men were together.
BASS DYING STATEMENT.
The prosecution here introduced the
dying declaration made by Or. Bass. This
had not been seen before by the defence
and the counsel took some time in eX-
aiming the document. 1t is type
written document read aloud by Solicitor
I. 4. Daniels. IT is as follows
Statement of Dr. II. T. Bass. made at