Albuquerque evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1911-1914, 1913-05-28
James Arthur Baker Noted
Criminal and Famous as
Woman ImpersOnatOr in
Jail in Albuquerque.
DRESSED IN OvERALLs
AND POSING AS TRAMP
Made Get Away from River
side Officers at Flagstaff
Monday Night Finding
Them Both Asleep.


James Arthur Baker. the noted aud
notorious imam woman" one Of tho
most dangerous criminals known TO
the police OF America and Canada.
who escaped from two Riverside. Cal.
county officers from a drawing room
OF pullman car on santa Fc train
No. 3 at Fiagstaff Monday night. was
arrested in Albuquerque at $3.50 U'cock
this afternoon by Chief OF Police
Thomas McMillln.
Wearing overalls and jumper and
crash nat. Baker was walking by the
Coyote bottiing works on North First
street Chief MCMiiiin was standing
on the curbing. lie glanced at Baker,
sized him up ana noted that he had "A
peculiar walk and appeared To wear "A
hunted look.
quick as a fash the police chief
rushed after Baker and grabbed him
You are under arrest said the
chief as no secured his prisoner In a
hammer-lock hold
My God what for?" fenced back
Baker. feigning the greatest surprise.
For murder" said the chief.
II didn't kill anybody" said Baker,
turning pale under hts brown skin.
well | want you anyhow" fenced
back the chief, siill not absolutely cer-
talr that the man was Baker. What's
your naney"
Anderson" said Baker.
M, your name Is Baker" said Me-
Milin, "and YOU know IT, Come alOnE
with me"
prisoner, the chief escorted Baker
around the block to the city jail.
"on with your Shoes said the
chief
Reluctantly Baker united the shoe
strings and took off his shoes. lie
had only big toe and three small
toes ON each foot. Tho little toe on
each foot was missing Now certain
that the man was Baker, the missing
toes absolutely completing identlfica-
tion, the chief told Baker that the
Sheriff Wilson In ASH Fork that he
had hlrN In custody.
We'll ! guess the game n up" said
Baker. II am Baker, all right. and
I'm fool for being caught | played
the game wrong I shouldn't have
come Co Albuquerque. / had "A pre-
sentiment that I would be ought
here"
Baker then loosened up and began
10 talk Chief McMillin scribbled off
telegram, notifying Sheriff Wilson
Ia Ash Fork. that he had captured his
escaped prisoner
The chief went ont of his office
Tor few seconds To call district
messenger Taking advantage OF the
chiefs absence, Baker, like "A flash
made dart for the door A news
paper reporter, who WAS talking 20
Baker at the time. tackled Baker ana
both men went 10 the floor together.
Chief McMiilln hearing the acriin-
h.. nj Nas
assistance. rushed back aud hustled
Baker off to "a cell. aeciding To take
no chance whatever with the prisoner
who was plainly desperate.
Baker n an athlete and Is wen built'
although his arms are soft and tiaD-
by, more like those ot a woman than
man All over the country Baker
II known as the "Oan-woman.' For
years eat a time he has impersonated
"a woman and has taught school In
girls schools and scminarics without
/ detection tie has nigh talsetto
voice and his actions are very much
like those of a woman. Tie had MS
two little toes clipped off In order TO
permit him 10 wear smaller shoes.
Behind the bars In coll in the
city iail this afternoon. Baker toid
the story Of his escape From time
To time he stopped q" express sorrow
TOT ftiHtAtihh hihAo'it w w 'Nf
tured.
81 hate go think Of going to the
penitentiary" said Baker. u was ,.
| fool for ever getting caught mere
Intended to get womRn's clothes anu
then nobody IN the world would ge'
mo. In fact I WAS on my way 20 4
store Go yet a dress aud shirtwais,
and a hat when the chiet arrested
me- Then | was gOing 10 'hpadh,
where | intended 10 I've an hontni
/ life forever and forever
| In "a conversational tone, smihne
| from time 10 time. Baker told now ~
escaped from the santa Re limitod va
| Flngstaff at 10 o'clock Monday nishl
"The train came TO "a stands,ill a!
/ Flagstaff WAS thirsty, ianihhe"
| for a drink of water, I called out "a
sheriff Wilson, asking him Tor drum
OF water. lie didn't answer lhth
4 called To Cr0sElcy. the deputy, ~
didn't answer either. / shook holh
and neither answered They were
aound asleep. snoring. I couldn't re.
eiat the temptation 10 escape,
robbed Crossley OF all the money %
| had. Crossloy had his lex across th'
drawing room door couldn't Eel
out that way without disturbing him
aot up 10 the ceiling 80 the draw
lng room and squeezed out or the cal
Via The roof. brakeman or a con
dnctor saw me as ! Jumped from th'
top OF the car.
II waited In Flagstan until trail
No. came along, l bought a tickr
10 Winslow. In Winslow 1 went "a
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