Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-13
AGENCY MAN NEAR
THE HUNDRED MARK
3. D. BAKER AGED 90 HAS WIT
MESSED GROWTH OF AGENCY
AND oTTUMWA.
VOTED FOR WINGS
In Agency at Time the Indians Were
Paid OF for Their Land; Served
as Deputy Provost Marshal
Throughout Civil War.

| Byrd Duke henuTEh DohS.
IAgency's oldest resident was at MI
home Monday receiving postal caro'
and letters from friends and relatives
in all parts of the country In honol
of his ninety-second birthday. ~
was apparently in the best of health
and eager to talk. When asked about
the pioneer days of Iowa Mr.. Baker
Immediately became reminiscent and
told of those days with enthusiasm
and with a wonderful recollection.
Mr.. Bakers eyesight Is still very
good at his age being compelled to
use glasses only when reading, and he
| is a great reader. He delights espec
tally in reading of the progress of his
country. He mentioned many OF his
old friends and companions with
kindly flicker in his eye, and asked
regarding the health of one of his
oldest and best friends, Major Hamil'
ton. ...s
Has Led Useful Life.
Mr.. Baker was born on farm near
Glasgow, Baron county, Kentucky,
March 10, 1921. He lived there until
he was nineteen years old, when with
the balance of the family, he removed
to Fl Madison. The trip was made
overland as railroads had not pene-
trated the middlewest then. In 1841
the family removed to Van Buren, coun-
ty and settled near the town of Win
chester. Soon after Mr.. Baker came
to Wapello county and purchased a
farm near Agency. He was married
in 1914 and with his wife he followed
the pursuit of farming until 1916, when
he engaged in the business of trading
live stock and real estate. During the
civil war, Mr.. Baker served as deputy
provost marshal, getting men to enlist
and capturing deserters from the
army. In 1865 he took up his resi-
dence in the city Of Agency, and con-
tinued the real estate business until
1878, when Mrs. Baker died. The
following two years, Mr.. Baker spent
in rowing about the country, finally
settling down in the real estate bust
ness in Kansas City in 1880. He was
in active business there until he
reached his eighty-second annivers'
airy. when he returned to his old home
in Agency. AS an evidence OF his hon.
esty, Mr. Baker modestly says that he
has never had a law suit during his
business career. Mr.. Baker has al
ways been a worker in his church.
having been a consistent member OF
the Methodist faith for over four score
years. He has held numerous offices
in the churches he attended, and a
matter Of much pride is that he never
missed Sunday worship while able
to 20. He was compelled to be absent
once last winter, and this winter he
has been unable to go because OF his
advanced age.
Mr.. Baker has two sisters and five
children living. His sisters are Mrs.
C. H. Parmele and Miss Sarah G.
Baker. The children are William H.
of Monrovia, Cal, John w. of Los
Angeles, Cal, Mrs. Olive Garner of
Omaha. Neb., Mrs. Jessie Burr1ss of
Kansas City and Mrs. H. A. Reynolds
of Agency, with whom he is living at
present.
Tells Of Indians.
Upon his arrival in Agency Mr..
Baker found the Indians living in tents
or tepees where the streets now are.
When the whites or palefaces came IN
and bought the land from the Indians
there was one big day Of payment. A
wagon carrying the money, which was
all in silver, was surrounded with
guards heavily armed. The money
was all taken to a log structure
erected for the purpose, being built
with very thick walls. The Indians
were arranged around outside and the
men in charge of the transaction went
around and dropped the money into
the laps Of the Redskins. Of course
trinkets of all kinds were in evidence
to attract the Indians and their money.
The sale of whisky was prohibited by
the government. Many of the Indians
remained In Agency until their money
was spent, when they left for new
hunting ground farther west.
Progress In Ottumwa.
Mr.. Baker spoke of the first house
that was built in Ottumwa AS near
as he could recollect 1t was near
stands. The house was a large log
structure, built of hickory logs, that
were stripped and seasoned. 1t was
built for Becky Hall for the purpose of
a boarding house or sort of an inn, !
as Ottumwa was then directly upon
the trail used by the Indians and
whites going east or west.
Political Views.
Although Mr. BAKER mas never lead
a political office of any kind and !
further states that he would not if he /
could, he has always been staunch |
of republican principles. He
has voted the straight republican
ticket since the birth Of the party He !
voted eleven times for the wings, be-
fore the present republican party was
Mr.. Baker says he intends !
to vote the republican ticket as long
as he lives His father, Josiah Baker,
was also been firm, supporter of