The Mankato free press., 1911-09-08

diately hastened to the scene and
placed handouts on the prisoner.
Before this was done, it is claimed,
that Baker made a wild grab for
the gun that the deputy was carry
out of his reach, before he could
lay hands upon it. Had he managed
to gain control of the gun, no doubt
his escape would have followed.
House Discovered on Fire.
Following Immediately upon the
heels of Bakers capture smoke was
observed curling out of second
story window of the UpsOn resi-
dence. The fire department was call
ed out and the dwelling entered.
The flames had gained but little
headway. The fremen found that a
slow burning fire had been started
in. one of the walls of the stairway
leading to the cellar and that the
flames were creeping up the side of
the wall. Right near the fire there
was discovered can of gasoline,
but this had not been touched. 1t
was evident that the slow blaze was
preferred as it gave the firebug time
to make good his escape. The fire
men arrived before serious headway
was made and the flames were
squelched.
The damage to the dwelling will
not amount to more than $3.50.
The fact thai its interior was pret-
ty well saturated with oil, is evi-
dence that plans had been carefully
made to burn the house completely
and as rapidly as possible, once the
flames reached the spots where the
oil had been dropped. The "firebug''
was careful not to use the gasoline,
as this would have caused an eX-
plosion and created a blaze which
must have attracted attention i'm
mediately and possibly before he
could have gotten some distance
from the dwelling.
Brought to Mankato.
AS soon as possible, two auto
mobiles were summoned and a posse
composed of A. T. Neumann, G.. M.
Black, r. B. Thomas, J. A. Jones, l..
A. Gaberding and l. E. Thompson all
Of whom were heavily armed started
on their way to Mankato to lodge the
prisoner in the Jail. The prisoner
was taken in the first machine and
several men trailed behind in a Sec
ond machine, to prevent any possible
escape. Marshal Neumann said that
while it seemed to be a rather heavy
guard he did not want to take any
chances and loose his prisoner. The
party arrived in Mankato at about
four o'clock this morning and took
their prisoner to the city Jail, where
he lapsed into sullen silence. Lat
er he was searched and a skeleton
key found on his person. Further
search revealed a rebate slip from
| an Omaha conductor for $277. The
regular fare from ST. Paul to Lake
Crystal is $2.67. This shows that
Baker took the train direct from
the Sanity City to Lake Crystal.
The rebate slip is No. 34,8O9.
A card of the International Team
sters' union was also found in one
! pocket, but Baker denied that he
was a teamster, declaring rimself
to be painter and not union man
at that. He also possessed a trans
fer slip of the Twin City Rapid
Transit company.
| Baker was asked how he came to
be in possession of the teamsters'
union card. He said he was paint
ing around and happened to pick it
up"
The authorities are not giving up
any more information than they
have to, which leads people to sus-
pect that Baker is a cog in con-
spiracy.
Baker has in his possession be-
tween S. and $6 in silver.
Near the Lake Crystal House.
The Upson dwelling is located en-
Humphrey street just west of the
Crystal house, d. C. Wood, propri-
etor. Adjoining on the other side IS
a large dwelling owned by Mr..
Davis of Mankato. Not far distant is
the big flour mill. Had fire once
gotten under headway in the Upson
house other property would have
been destroyed or damaged, no
doubt.
The Upson family have been ab-
sent from the house several days.
One of the Children is stopping with
its grandmother in Lake Crystal. 1t
is not kown where Mr.. Upson and
his wife are, but it is thought they
are in st. Paul.
The capture of Baker caused no
end of excitement in Lake Crystal.
A dance in progress in one of the
halls was broken up and dancers and
members of the orchestra hastened
TO the street where the prisoner
was an object of interest. Many