The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1913-04-17
LAST H0N0RS PAID
PERRY BAKER
HOST OF FRIENDS GATHER TO DO
HOMAGE TO MEMORY OF
DEPARTED LAWYER.

ASooN AMY SalliCI GU III T1dIliItOn to-
day to pay homage to the memor of
w. Perry Baker. The funeral was
held at 1880 o'clock this afternoon
from the district courtroom, Rev. O.
w. Jones, pastor of the Christian
church, officiating. Simple and pri-
vate services were held at the
Baker home at | O'Clock. These at
an end, the remains We're taken in
charge by the local Masonic lodge and
moved to the courtroom. The local
Masonic, Odd Fellows and Eagle
lodges, as well as the bar associations
of Ravalli and Missoula counties.
formed an escort for the body as it
was carried into the courtroom, where
the dead attorneys ~eloquence had
swayed juries during the trial of
numerous cases.
Resting before the judges bench and
surrounded by a p%rofusion of beau
tiful floral offerings from o%rganiza-
tons with which the deceased was as
ISOLATED and from soErowing friends. all
that is mortal of Perry Baker Law
where he had stood on numerous oc-
casions in all the vigor of his rugged
health as he argued eloquently for his
client. Today he lay silent and UNI
appreciative of the services in honor
of his memory. But associates before
the bar of justice, clients, friends. rel
tatives-all bowed with sorrow-were
there, each in possession of a sweet.
4 wholesome memory of an interesting.
sympathetic n useful life.
The scene in the courtroom was re-
markedly impressive. At one end of
the casket were seated the former and
present judges of the Fourth judicial
district of Montana, before all of
whom the attorney had s%killfully ham
died many a case. Directly chino
the judges were seated the members
OF the bar of Ravalli and Missoula
counties. Inside the court railing and
before the casket were seated the rela-
tlVes of the deceased and behind them
the Shriners, Masonic brothers of the
departed. The office of the clerk of
the court was reserved for members
or the Masonic order, while the body
OF the courtroom was given over to
the general public. Silently, but elo-
quently, a bank of floral OFFERINGS
n the collection was most beautiful
n Varied-bespoke the sorrow of
many an aching heart that will always
carry fondeSt recollections of Perry
Baker.
Rev. Mr.. Jones sermon was chosen
from the 18th verse of chapter 4 of
ii Corinthians as follows: "While we
look not at the things which are seen
but at the things which are not seen,
for the things which are seer are
temporary but the things which are
not seen are eternal" He also spoke
of the life work of the deceased, call
ing attention to his strength in Gods
word during his illness. Before enter
ing upon his sermon from the text
given Mr.. Jones called on Judge Frank
Woody of Missoula to speak of the
departed for the Missoula and Raval-
Ii county bar associations. The aged
pioneer and jurist spoke feelingly of
his acquaintance with Perry Baker,
paying a fine tribute to his sterling
qualities both as a citizen and as a
lawyer.
In part Judge Woody spoke as fol-
lows: Dear friends, We are here to-
day on a mournful mission; an old
friend has Deer taken from US and we
are to offer and extend our last trib-
ute. With the exception of his rela-
tives | doubt if a person present has
knoWn Perry Baker longer than I
have. l became acquainted with him
about 1890. Associated with Attor-
neys Reeves and Smith he opened an
office in the Higgins block in Mis-
soula across the a from my office.
There l met him and there l formed a
close friendship with him.
During my eight years as judge I
saw much of him. During that time
he practiced law before me and I had
him as an opponent in several cases.
| will say that I never had a more
respected antagonist and never knew
a better trial lawyer than Perry Baker
| never heard him speak disrespect-
fully of another attorney during a
trial, and l never heard an attorney
speak disrespectfully of Perry Baker
He was an opponent one was glad to
meet. No one needed a written agree
ment when dealing with Perry Baker
In the handling of a case his word
was as good as his bond. When he
said he would do a thing it was done,
He was a most effective jury lawyer
| never knew a lawyer who command
ed a jury as did his man. He had
no flowery language, but his earnest
common sense talks in a natural tone
of voice carried weight.
Il will always remember Perry and
his sunny disposition. Whenever he
entered a group he always had some
words of cheer. He had a wholesome
idea of the humorous n his good
humor made him a good companion. !
var to remember Perry Baker as !
saw him the last time | was in Ham
ilton. I called at his office to see
him. He complained of not feeling
quite right, but was as jolly and
cheerful as ever. l had little thought
at that time that l would be here SC
soon at his funeral.
in closing l will say that I e
had a better friend than Perry Baker
He was a man among men, one to be
esteemed for his manly conduct ant
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