Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-07-31
EXCITING CHASE
Of JAIL BREAKER
BY DOVER CROWD
Soon Captured by Pursuers, Some
Of Whom Yelled Loudly for
Lynching.
FORMER POLICE CHIEF
IN SERIOUS TROUBLE
Special Correspondence OF Every Evening

Special Correspondence OF Every Evening
Dover, July 3l.-Former Chief OF
Police John w. Baker. who was arrested
here yesterday morning for burglariois
entry upon the premises of Charles w.
Lord, at the old Bayard House, and for
carrying n revolver, and was held in
81 500 bail for court, in default of which
he was committed TO Dover jail, made n
sensational break for liberty, last even
ing. As Mrs. Cook, the sheriif's wife, in
serving supper to the prisoners, was open
ing the cage doors tn get the empty food
receptaclcs. Baker brushed by her and
her colored helper and darted out the
door of the house part Of the prison. He
ran toward st. Jones river, n short dis
lance from the jail, where he was cap
tured within half an hour at the point Of
guns and returned to the jail, cries Of
lynch him coming freely from the pur-
suing crowd. He WAS thrust in an IRON
clad cell and both iron and wooden doors
closed against him.
Sheriff Cook left Dover about noon
yesterday, on official business, apd while
returning home, within a half mile 81
Dover, was stopped and told of Bakers
escape from prison lie left his machine
standing in the road and joined n crowd
of several hundred then searching for
Baker along the river bank, where he had
been seen going. Before the sheriff had
proceeded far with the posse Baker had
been captured, about quarter Of a mile
down the river back of the country resi-
dence of T.. l.. Hardesty, on the road from
Dover to Cooper's Corner Baker came
out in the open and surrendered 10 the
men, all of whom were armed He was
hustled in Downes' automobile and rushed
10 the jail BY the time the car reached
the jail fully hundred citizens had
assembled, many of whom were in an
angry mood Sheriff Cook, having heard
of the attack on his wife, caught hold Of
Baker and would have used him roughly
had not the crowd pushed the culprit into
the Jail As he was taken from the auto
mobile several in the crowd called out
shoot him, lynch him, but he was saved
from harm by his speedy locking up.
Mrs Cook. although suffering from
fright and the shock Of being struck in the
breast by Bakers army closed the iron
door of the prison Immediately after
Bakers rough exit and telephoned for tho
officers Deputy General Satter-
field. who lives adjoining the State House
saw Baker fleeing and joined IN spreading
the alarm, which was responded To by
officers and citizens
Mrs Cook stated that, knowing the
character of Baker. she was cautious in
opening the door to see where he was
before handing in the supper Seeing him
sitting at table in the middle Of the
corridor at the far end of the prison. she
felt safe in passing IN the meal which was
done without incident When the re
ceptacles were ready TO be handed out,
Mrs Cook says she asked the man on the
inside where Baker was, but before tho
inside helper had chance TO answer
Baker rushed out of an open cell near the
door. knocked both Mrs. Cook and the
helper aside and hurried 10 the outside
door Of the house part of the prison, and
escaped
Late last evening Sheriff Cook asked
Baker why he had endoavored ~ escape
Baker replied that he was almost crazy
thinking OF his wife and children.
Deputy Attoney-General Satterheld
has been notified by the Sussex county
authorities that Baker is wanted in
Sussex county on two charges and request
was made that should he get hail here
to hold him for hearing in Sussex county.
which will he done