The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1909-03-25
ANANIAS BAKER
DIES in N. M.
EX-FULTON COUNTY LEGIS-
LATOR PASSES AWAY AT
ALBUQUERQUE.
Had Been Long Ill With Consamp-
tion-Exposed Cigarette Bribery
in Legislature.

Rochester, Ind, March 1s.-Anan-
las Baker. member of the Indiana
House of Representatives in 1905,
died today at Albuquerque, n NJ
Mr.. Baker left here a little over two
weeks ago. He had been long suffer
ing with tuberculosis, but after Ewing
in the open air in a tent here, ne
showed such signs OF improvement
that his vtends and family were
much encouraged. Then he went to
New Mexico and Arizona, where he
expected to recover fully The body
will reach here Saturday.
Ananias Baker caused one of the
greatest sensations ever known in an
indiana Legislature when in the ses-
sion OF 1905 he exposed an alleged
attempt at bribery, in connection
with the anti-cigarette bill which was
then pending in the House OF which
Mr.. Baker was member.
Waved Five $50 Bills.
The arti-cigarette bill to prohibit
the sale of cigarettes within the state
was under discussion in the House
when Mr. Baker arose to speak. He
declared that there had been attempts
al bribery and when he reached the
climax OF his speech he took from
pocket an envelope which he said
contained FIVE $40 bills and waived it
nigh above hrs head The money, ne
SAID, had been given to him by lob
byistS, who opposed the enactment
Of the anti-cigarette law.
This episode caused a great stir
in the House and led to the chase
after o. A. Cigarette Baker, which
has continued ever since. Represen-
;ative Bakers dramatic speech was
made in the forenoon and by the
middle OF the afternoon the Marion
county grand jury and the city de-
tectives were busy. 1t was charged
that Cigarette" Baker, representing
tobacco company, mad been lobby
ing against the anti-cigarette bill and
detectives were on guard ar the Dem
ison hotel, Indianapolis, until late a.
night trying to find Cigarette" Bak-
er. They failed and all efforts to ar
rest him since have been fruitless Il
has been reported several times thar
Cigarette" Baker was living the life
of prince in Canada, but as far a.
is known he has never ventured int
the United States.
About one year ago Ananias Bake.
went to Indianapolis TO find out jus.
what had become OF the five $50 bills
which had been turned over 10 the
Marion county prosecutor and which
were being held as a part OF the re-
ward offered for the arrest OF Gig
arctic" Baker. Mr.. Baker found tilat
The money was safe in the hands OF
the Marion county authorities and he
was satisfied.
Why He Was Named Ananias.
Mr. Baker was born on a farm
near Straudsburg, Va, January ?,
1s4S His mother gave him the name
of Ananiass because she believed ii
to be a good, honest Bible name,
and also because one of her uncles
was named Ananias. After a little
schooling he drifted into Mississippi.
and worked at a blacksmith forge
Later he became a book agent in IL
ligofs forsone year.
His second year as book agent
was spent in Fulton county, Indiana
and there he met and swung on the
gate" at Tanner Marian Holders
home, and it was not many months
until she became his bride
Astrologer as Prophet.
Mr. Baker went into the lumber
trade in 1908, and before he retired
from 1T he mad yards at Rochester,
Upton, Marion and Elwood, and he
operated at other points in the gas
belt He was ce-president of a
Rochester bank, and later became a
money lender on his own account.
Sixteen years ago he was following
the political life OF Democrat, but
the money ideas of that party were
not in accord with his, and he be-
came Republican.
His faith in atsrology became a
factor in his political affairs. He
paid 50 to an astrologer to read the
answer IN the stars" for him. AS
trology is guidepost''. Mr.. Baker
said. What are the heavens for?
Who made them? Tire stars contain
information for every man, ii he
knows how TO read them"
Mr.. Baker also said the inferma-
ton given him by the astrologer led
him TO seek the nomination for joint
Representative from Cass and Fulton
counties. and his faith in astrology
vas strengthened when he was elect
ed in 1904
Mr. Baker was Mason and an
Odd Fellow A widow and three
children, two sons and daughter
survive
M,rc.~ Ca1a