The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1907-09-04
DEAD MAN WIS
SEEN IN HONOLULU

CHICAGO, August Z5.-Although shy
order OF Senator r. r Platt." the re-
mains Of La Fora s. Baker. supposed
TO have been buried in the cemetery
at Big Rapids, Michigan. we're not 70
be exposed 10 view. James Donovan,
once a rich lumberman, formerly Of
Big Rapids, now living in Chicago,
succeeded yesterday IN having the
grave opened and the startling de-
claration now is made that the grave
had been opened before and that quick
lime and other chemicals had been
used to obl1terate the features of the
body in the casket-
Further, it is asserted by Donovan
and Pinkerton detectives that careful
measurements Of the collins contents
show them not to have been Bakers
remains and that the face was treated
with wax to resemble Bakers when
it was shipped to Big Rapids. On the
small piece Of glass through which the
face could be dInaIy seen was pasted
this notice:
Glass not TO be removed from face,
by order OF T. c. Platt, president Of
United States Express Company, presi-
dent Tfoga Lumber Company and To
ga National Bank and founder and
controller OF Northern National Bank
Of Big Rapids. Michigan
SENATOR PLATT ACCUSED.
Donovan. who lost heavily in the
failure OF the Northern National Bank,
of which Baker was cashier, has Tor
years insisted that Baker was alive
and that Senator Plat was a party 10
the deception Of his death. II is
claimed that Baker, under another
name, now has charge Of certain Platt
interests and sailed for Europe three
days before his supposed death in New
York city, years ago
Not the least interesting part Of
Donovan's pursuit Of Baker and his
effort to show Senator PIatt's alleged
part in the plot IS the declaration that
Baker introduced the Senator to Mae
Wood. VITO il Suing him for divorce,
and 70 Carrie Thompson, who later
became Mrs Plat. thus conplieating
E3ciAL : E4&AEA11EtE14G4 AZ8L0AF-= AfstAGits al
declares Baker fed from Big Rapids 70
Chicago and met Carrie Thompson,
then a member Of the BLACK Crook
company. knowledge OF PIatt's sus-
ceptibiIfty suggested To Baker the idea
Of taking Miss Thompson East and In
Producing her 70 Platt-
DEAD MAN" SEEN IN HONOLULU
It is claimed Baker was seen IN Ho-
nolulu a few years after his supposed
death. and that On account Of his
knowledge OF the affairs OF the North
ern National Bank. IN the failure Of
which about 8. 9o0.0e0 was involved.
running many hundreds Ct small AM
large depositors. Senator Plat and
Others we're interested in having him
thought dead
Vow that the body has been. ex-
huned Donovan says he viii continue
in New York city the fight he has
waged fer years n prove Baker IS
alive. and 10 bring justice upon several
persons who have directed the alleged
plan for tlle gross deception. He VIII
BE- assisted by Mrs. Baker. who. al
though she had obtained a divorce at
the time Of the supposed death. was
denied the privilege Of kissing the face
Of her former husband or OF seeing Il
exposed 20 near view ar the time CT
tia funeral
THE Northern National was wreck
ed BY Tom PIa1t's friends" Donovan
said today in Big Rapids, "and they
used Plat Underwood. Martin 7. Gale,
the president, and Frank P. RoEler
as their scaRegoats-"