The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1913-04-15

Hamilton, April 14.-(Special.)-
William Perry Baker, one of western
Montana's best-known lawyers, passed
away shortly before ) o'clock this
morning at his home in the city, fol-
lowing an illness of foul months du-
ration. News of his death came as a
shock to the entire community. all
though no hope for his recovery had
been held out for the past two weeks.
Hamilton n the entire Bitter Root
valley is in mourning today, as no citi-
zen of the community was ever more
loved n respected than was Perry
Baker. Judge Baker. as he had
come to be Familiarity called by his ac-
quaintances, was a friend to all who
knew him, and his acquaintance ex-
tended over a large section of Mon
tana. His death came as a blow
keenly felt by his bar associates of
this city, all legal business being prac-
tically suspended for the day.
In the practice of law, Perry Baker
stood at the top of the profession. He
was especially effective in criminal
cases and in any case in which he ap-
peared legal talents We're strained in
competition. Especially strong We're
his appeals to a jury, no attorney APP
pearing in h local court being his
equal in jury arguments. His methods
in the courtroom We're always above
r%eproach and assisted him in holding
the esteem of everyone connected with
a case.
In December of last year no one
looked upon Perry Baker as a mar
marked by death. In fact, he first
complained of not feeling right on
New Years day. He then complained
to his law partner, e. c. kurtz, that
all was not right with his eyes. From
that time his decline was rapid. His
trouble was soon pronounced to be
Bright's disease. In hopes hat his
health might be regained, he visited
the famous Mayo hospital at Rochester
for treatment, but nothing more than
a stringent diet was prescribed by the
physicians there, it being realized that
there was no help for him. Although
in a critical condition, he visited the
district courtroom on April 3, just II
days before his death. He had pre-
viously been retained as Miles Rom
ney's counsel in the Western News
libel suits, his intense interest in the
outcome of the cases taking him to
the courthouse alive for the last time.
During the progress of the Cooper
Romney case, Attorneys Kurtz, Wag-
ner and Tolan conferred with the sick
man frequently.
Perry Baker was acknowledged to
be the best trial lawyer of Ravalli
nn1,,fx, n-J 1-n ,,,, .C%a~ .z..-1A -.
an advisory capacity by those from
other parts of the state. He served
four times as county attorney of Ra-
valli county and while in office at
tanned a notable recOrd for efficiency
ability. Twice he was a candidate
for the judgeship in the Fourth judi
cial district, comprising Ravalli, Mis-
and Sanders counties. He was a
staunch republican and had always
taken a leading part in the activities
of the party. AS a political leader
Mr.. Baker made many friends all
over the Treasurer state. A native
of Missouri, born in Lancaster, May
IL, 1854, Mr.. Baker obtained his ele-
mentary and college education in that
state and was admitted to the bar by
~ supp III court WITCH lie was
"a Years of age.
Shortly after his admission to the
bar, Mr.. Baker came to the Bitter
Root valley, in 1889, and practiced
law in Grantsdale until that town was
absorbed by Hamilton, when he quit
the profession Of law and took up
farming. Mr.. Baker was not per-
mitted to remain in retirement, for in
1898 he was elected county attorney,
being successful in a three-cornered
race as the candidate Of the populists
and Endorsed by the silver republicans.
In that warm contest one of Mr.,
Bakers opponents was r. Lee McCul-
loch, now judge of the Fourth judicial
district. In 1900 and 1902 Mr.. Baker
was reelected and again in 1906 he
was nominated and elected, this time
defeating Henry L. Myers, now senior
United States senator from Montana,
after a sharp contest. In 1908 and
1912 Mr.. Baker was a republican can