The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1912-05-29
FIND BODY OF
MISSING man
Remains Of Lee A. Baldwin, Rich
Druggist Of Warren, ILL.,,
Found South of City
EVIDENCE OF DEATH BY
TAKING CARBOLIC ACID
Temporarily u n b 4 Ia n d by
Brooding Over Death Of Wife,
Only Explanation Advanced by
Friends for Act

The body of Lee A. Baldwin. prom
inent druggist Of Warren, ILL.,. and
brother of e. H. Baldwin of this city.
twas found Thursday afternoon in a
clump of trees south of the Rex Spray
plant, bearing unmistakabe evidence
of suicide by taking carbolic acid. The
finding of the body cleared up what
promised to be another mysterious
disappearance. as Mr.. Baldwin had
been missing since Monday afternoon
and plans were being made by the
sherff's Office for an organized search
beginning last night.
Discovery of the body was made by
a man who gave his name as Albert
Liszt Liszt was walking along the
Northern Pacific right-of-way and
stepped down from the track behind
a clump of willows. where he found a
body. concealed from view of anyone
passing by. List came to the city
and reported to the police, who In
turn notified Coroner Fred Shaw. The
body was taken to the Flint-Shaw un-
dertaking parlors, and there by means
of letters was identified as that of Mr..
Baldwin.
Last Seen Monday
Mr.. Baldwin came to North Yakima
several months ago from his home at
Warren, ILL.,, and had been making his
home with his brother, e. H. Baldwin.
$40 South Fourth street. He had
spent considerable time in looking
over lands adjacent to the city, and
recently sent E. Fl. Baldwin back to
Warren and to Lena, ILL.,, to settle up
his property interests there, with the
intention of investing in the Yakima
valley ana making his home here.
During the absence of E. H. Bald
win from the grocery store of Baldwin
& Lmery Mr.. Baldwin was helping at
the store. He was at the store Mon
day afternoon, and busted himself
shifting some stock. Shortly after
noon he put on his hat and went out.
When he failed to return Monday
night Mrs. Baldwin was disturbed, but
knowing that he had left his home for
tt west urder similar circumsta noes,
notifying his family that he had gone
by letter written on the train, was
not alarmed until Tuesday, when no
word was received. Since then the
sheriff's Office has been making q
quiet earch, and friends of Mr.. Bald
win have spent much time making
inquiries about the city.
Unbalanced, + Theory
The only possible explanation given
by friends for Mr. Baldwin's taking
his life Is that he became temporarily
unbalanced on account of continued
brooding over the death of his wife,
which occurred about two years ago.
He had been successful in business
and was considered wealthy in the
city where he made his home. He had
three children, whom he expected to
bring to Yakima. as soon as he had
made home for them here. Several
men in the city were former business
associates of his in Illinois, and all are
unable to suggest any other explana-
ton II his act.
Lee Massey, a druggist in the employ
of the Stafford Drug company, worked
in Mr.. Baldwin's store for ~ years
before coming to this city. He had
spent considerable time with him
| lately, and the two were together
Sunday afternoon, when Mr.. Baldwin
seemed In the best of spirits.
May Have Been Robbed
The missing of a valuable watch
which Mr.. baldwin priced very highly
and the absence Of any evidence of
bank deposits or cash. besides s21
found in a small pocketbook In a hip
pocket, is Thought to indicate that
| the body had been robbed. He was
known to carry wallet, and had on
the watch, with double vest chain,
on Monday.
| The finding of three ounce bottle
with the carbClic acid label on It IN
tn badly burned hand, and the
burned face and mouth were. accepted
by the coroner as sufficient evidence,
ana no autopsy was held to further
determine the cause of death.
kilograms were sent to Mr. Bald
wins brother at Warren, ILL.,. and
Lena, ILL.,, and the remains are being
| held awaiting Instructions.