The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-05-28
A. L. HUGHES TALKS.
Wabash Man Who is the Official go
Between"


Between"
Palladium Special
Wabash, Ind, May 27.-Arthur L.
Hughes, formerly engaged in the mill
ing business at Laketon, this county,
and who later became a member of
the Wabash bar, practicing in linn
tied way, has got into the spotlight in
the last day or two through his state
ment that he is in touch with the long
missing and much-desired O. A. Ba-
ker, known as Cigarette" Baker. en-
gagged lately in financial speculations
in the Indiana General assembly. Not
alone does Mr.. Hughes boast that he
is in communication with Baker, but
he says that as Bakers residuary leg
atee he has a large and interesting
collection of autograph letters and
light on the operations of Baker in
winning votes for the measure he
championed as leader of the third
House. At this time Mr.. Hughes is
not writing briefs or pleading causes
in the local courts, but is on the road
as salesman.
Talked With Baker.
Il know where Baker is" said he,
''and what is more, | have seen him
and talked with him in the last few
days. He is not far from Indiana, and
he wishes to come back but he had
rather die than surrender himself to
the authorities and be placed on trial
for bribery. He said to me that he
would never be taken alive and would
commit suicide before he would suf-
fer arrest, and he meant it, too. Ba-
ker looks well; he is employed in a
congenial occupation, and has not the
slightest fear that he will be betrayed
After the talk l had with Baker
he gave me authority to call on Gov
him immunity from punishment, on
the ground that he supply all of the
documentary evidence to obtain the
conviction of some of the agents who
haunt the corridors of the State
House, and the members who did
business" with the lobby at so much
per. He appeared very anxious to
tell all he knows, and back it up with
evidence that would boom the excur-
sion business from, Indiana points at
the first flash.
Interview With Governor.
Il called on the Governor and held
a confidential interview. He received
me very kindly, and when he had
heard Bakers proposition he wished
that, as an honorable man and friend
of Baker, who had confided in me,
could not reveal that until l had his
pledge that Baker should not be mo-
Tested.
Don't you think, Mr.. Hughes.
said the Governor, that. as a good
citizen, you could not do other than
tell me where Baker now is?'
II fatty declined to consider such
proposal, and the Governor ended
the interview by remarking that he
would see.
Some time ago / went to Marion
and took an interest in a plating es-
tablishment run by Baker prior to his
flight. l was well acquainted with
Baker and his family, and the free
dom of the place was given me as
soon as l assumed charge. In ransack-
ing Bakers desk l found big pile of
correspondence, letters, kilograms
and scraps of paper with notations
on them. Some of the correspond
ence was in cipher, and the remain
der was written out so anybody could
read. Later 1. found the code and
transcribed the cipher. I was astoun-
ded at the revelations of depravity.
The purchase of public officials was
discussed in cold blood, and embraced
in the category were men on the
bench and the humble servants of
municipal corporf tions. whom no one
would imagine b d anything to sell.
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