The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1904-06-01
FORMER TIONESTA MAN SUICIDES
DIR. Clinton d. Baker Takes His Own
Life at His Home in COnneaut, o.

DIR. Clinton ID. Baker takes HIS own
Life at His Home in COnneaut, o.
The announcement of the suicide on
Thursday morning last, of DR.. Clinton d.
Baker, former wellknown and very
popular citizen of Tionesta, will prove
most profound shock to his large circle of
friends in this section, where he is so fa-
yorably remem bered. The particulars of
this sad affair are CLEANED from the Con-
neaut, Ohio. Evening News, of May 26,
1904:
In temporary fit of dementia, result
ing from the excessive use of chloral
and chloroform, DR.. Clinton D. Baker
took his own life this morning by sever
ing the arteries in both wrists, in his left
arm on the inside of the elbow, and in his
neck below the right ear. He was dis
covered lying in pool of blood in his of
flee on the second floor of the Stanley
block at nine o'clock or thereabouts by
G. w. Pelton and DR.. Kelley, and was
removed in an unconscious condition to
Grace hospital, where he died an hour
later.
DR.. Baker was for years one of the
leading physicians of this city, and his
practice was at enc time second to none.
When his wife died he was so affected
that he lost heart in his work, and from
that time on his decline was steady.
though gradual. Leaving Conneaut
about four years ago, he spent some time
at Elyria with his sister, Mrs. Symonds,
and then he returned to this city for a
brief period. Ha then went to Cory,
Pa, where he spent two years at the old
home with another sister, Mrs. Bates.
From Cory he returned to this city
about year ago.
For some time it has been known that
DR.. Baker has been addicted to the use of
drugs. About the first of April DR.. Bak
drugs. and G. w. Pelton took him into
his home Tor month so that he might
have proper care aud attention. After
spending this time with Mr.. Pelton he
he was ready to begin life anew. The at
tack which led up to his death set in
Tuesday night. Yesterday he was de-
mented all day, and his friends watched
him closely to see that ne did himself no
harm.
At four O'Clock yesterday afternoon
Mr.. Pelton asked DR.. Warner to call at
Dr. Bakers Office and ascertain his con-
dition. DR.. Warner raped at the door
AID was greeted by gruff query of
whats wanted?" He then entered to
find that he was covered by shot gnn in
the hands of the demented man. He took
the gun away, and a revolver as well,
and did what he could to relieve the un-
fortunate mans condition.
Shortly before 8 o'clock this morning
Mr.. Pelton attempted to enter DR.. Bakers
office, but found that the door was locked.
He then asked DR.. Kelley, who has an
Office close by, to bring him out step
ladder in order that they might look
over the transom.
DR.. Baker was found lying on the floor
beside his operating table, on which he
had evidently lain down to breathe his
last after taking the fatal step. A coal
scuttle stood beside the table, evidently
placed there to catch the blood.
AS soon as possible, the unfortunate
man was removed to Grace hospital,
where further efforts were made to re-
vive him. He had used a lance in in
flicting the wounds in bis wrist, left arm,
and neck, and the cuts were so effective
that he died in an hour from loss of
blood.
In the office letter addressed to his
son aud note to Mr.. Peton were found.
Both were turned over to Mr.. Pelton.
The note read as follows:
"Mr. C. W. Pelton:
while die the death of criminal,
do die Christian, for l have been re-
deemed. Goodbye, CLINT.
"To Harold say that his papa still loved
him, and sign papa"
The bottom of the note was smeared
with blood, ard the message was evident
ly written after the gashes had been
made. The letter was addressed to Har-
old L. Baker, Morris, Minnesota, and
will be forwarded by Mr.. Pelton.
Besides his son, Harold, DIR. Baker is
survived by one brother and three sisters,
the third residing at Morris, Minnesota.