The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-10-02
Heard and Seen
in Public Places

Colonel William Baker. stalwart
Kentuckian and former Snowman, who
claims to be the tallest man In Ameri-
ca, standing seven fet seven inches
in his stocking feet, arrived In the
City yesterday and is stopping at
Murphys.
Colonel Baker is accompanied by his
friend. Captain G. Lee Weymouth, and
they are on their way home from the
Jamestown Exposition, where they
have spent the past month. Colonel
Baker is a most remarkable specimen
of manhood and towering high above
every one around him, he created
great CONSERVATION in the lobby last
night Men thought he was mounted on
stilts, and many OF them made personal
examination Of his lower limbs to sat
isfy themselves that he was the real
thing. He says he is Colonel" by rea-
son Of the fact that he is from Ken
lucky, which is noted for her colonels,
her pretty women her fast horses and
her good wllskey.
Aside from his extraordinary height,
there is nothing remarkable about
Colonel Baker, except perhaps his
good nature, which was fully demon.
strated at Murphy's last night, when
one OF the delegates to the Episcopal
Convention approached him an dasked
him what he did for living, The
colonel, in hts usual Joking mood, re-
piled, Il am doing Just what you are.
working all the people can"
Colonel Baker was born In Portland,
Ky. in 1880, and lived in the Blue
Grass State during the frst seven
years Of his life, after which his pa
rents removed to Philadelphia. He is
member Of the Knights OF Pythiaa
Maccabees. D. o. K. X, sud his ia
vol1te amusements are billiards and
bowling.
He was at one time leading at
traction in the "Ten Greatest Shows
on Earth" but he has eschewed the
show business and is now a gentleman
OF leisure. When asked about his stay
In Richmond. Colonel Baker said he
and Captain Weymouth. who is West
| Virginia newspaper man, would stay
certainly for a few days, and would
probably remain through next week
and attend the State Fair
t!emen from Versailles, KY, are hero
on their way to the Jamestown Ex-
position. They are stopping at the
Lexington Hotel, and will leave by
boat this morning. They came in over
the Chesapeake and. Ohio yesterday,
and are highly pleased With Rich.
mond.
4 Prominent among the lay delegates
4 to the Episcopal General Convention
from distance is United States Sem
ator-elect Joseph T. Johnston, OF Ala.
/ bama.
Mrs. Johnston, and they are registered
ut Murlhy's.
i Few men now living In his State
have bean so much In the public In
Il recent years as has Mr. Johnston. He
A took up the silver question back IN
the zoos, and led the forces OF tina,
wing of7the party in a. most brillian,
and sfkilful manner. This resulted II
his election as Governor. and severa
Senate against the late John T. Nor.
gan. Tie venerable Senator was re.
elected. but Gov.tnor Johnston bidet
!, his time and finally landed the honor
It VII be recal,ed that the Legisla-
:. ture Of Alabama does not meet as fire..
!, ruently as those CT many States, ant
several years ago the. Democrats de
cided to nominate two candidates To-
the Senate to succeed respectively
Messrs. Morgan and Pettus should
i either or both Of them die or resigl
: pending the next meeting Of the AS
!. sembly. The wisdom Of this move wa
, quickly seen. Former Congressman
!, Bankhead and Governor Johnston wer
!. nominated, the former receiving tn
! larger vote. 1t was not long betor
E the great leader OF the Democrati
: side Of the Senate. the aged Morgan
was gathered to his fathers, an
E Bankhead took his place. A few
9 months later Senator Pettus died, an
! the Legislature. then In session
4 promptly elected Governor Johnston
: The junior Alabama Senator is
o banker and is reputed to be ma
9 OF much wealth. He is most esti
9 mable Southern gentleman. and has
large number OF friends in Richmond
:, = Senator and Mrs. Johnston will re
5 main here during the entire session Q
n the convention. rs
Q Hon. John j. Owen, member OF tt