Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1915-08-19
A. Ii. Bakers Sad Death.

Alban II. Baker, for many years awell-
known and much esteemed resident OF
Shepherdstown, met with tragic death
the first of the week, and the people of
this community were grieved and shocked
Monday afternoon when they learned of
his sad end. Mr.. Baker lived in Shep-
herdstown nearly all OF his life, going
from this place 10 Washington some years
ago when his brother, Henry S. Baker,
removed with his family to that city.
For the past year or more he has been in
bad health, and most OF that time he has
spent with his sister, Mrs. George Glass,
in Beryville, Va. Recently he express
ed strong desire TO come to Shepherds
town, and though Mrs. Glass felt that it
was better for him to remain with her, he
persisted in coming to his old home town,
and last Sunday morning he arrived here
on the 1920 train. Apparently no one
saw him alight from the train, but he left
the station by the High street side and
was later seen by several persons on his
way to the river. Crossing the bridge,
he stopped for short time at VIM. H.
Knode's home, and Locktender Wilbur
Hebb talked with him, seeing him for the
last time along the canal towpath about 8
o'clock Sunday afternoon.
Monday evening about o'clock Kirk
land Mckee and Stanley Daley came up
the canal in canoe, and as they passed
the little bridge at the old outlet lock just
opposite town they saw the top OF a mans
head in the water at the edge OF the canal.
They quickly notified Mr.. Hebb and Mr..
Knode, who went to the place and drew
the body from the water. II seemed TO
be in an upright position, with the arms
bent and the feet slightly drawnu up. The
news spread and number of persons
went to the scene. Strange TO say, no
one recognized Mr.. Baker until an en-
velope upon which his name and address
were written was found in his pocket.
When il was learned who the drowned
man was Messrs. H. P. Schley and J. P.
Rush took charge Of the affair and the
body was placed in care OF Undertaken
R. S. M. Hoffman. M. B. Baker was
absent from home, being with Henry S.
Baker and his family, who are spending
the summer at Ocean City. New Jersey.
The relatives were notified by wire OF the
sad event.
The supposition is that Mr.. Baker was
drowned Sunday afternoon. His illness
is said TO have had the effect of making
him continuously sleepy, and it is thought
that he may have sat down on the bridge
over the old lock, gone to sleep and
fallen into the water beneath and drown
ed. A passing canal boat probably Stir
red the water and caused the body to
come 10 the surface shortly before il was
first seen.
Justice Hoffmaster, OF Sharpsburg, was
notified of the finding OF the body and at
once went to the scene OF the drowning.
After learning the facts, and there being
no indications ofviolence, he decided that
an inquest was unnecessary.
Mr.. Baker, who was 81 years OF age,
was resident of Shepherdstown most Of
his life, and was a kindhearted, iikable
man, with many friends in this neighbour
hood who have long esteemed him. His
recent illness is said 10 have affected him
mentally, and he had become melancholy
and depressed. He was never married,
and his surviving relatives are sister,
Mrs. George Glass, of Berryvile, and
three brothers M. B. Baker, of Shep-
herdstown; VIM. F. Baker, Of Roanoke /;
and Henry S. Baker, OF Washington.
The funeral service was held yesterday
afternoon in the Lutheran Church in Shep-
herdstown, OF which Mr.. Baker had been
a member for nearly thirty years, Rev. l..
D. Woman officiating, many friends and
relatives being present to express their
respect for the deceased. The body was
laid to rest in Elmwood Cemetery.