The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1921-12-16
Charles D. Baker; Insurance
Collector, Meets D cath At
III Negro's Hands
MURDERER IS UNDER
SPEEDY, INDICTMENT
Arrest Quickly Follows The
Crime; Baker Well Known
AsADraftsman

Columbus afternoon papers Of Tues.
day contain accounts Of the brutal
murder Of Charles D. Baker In that
city by negro, John Walden on Mon.
day afternoon. Baker formerly was
well known resident Of Mt. Vernon,
heingta son Of Mr.. and Mrs. Charles
Baker Of this city. He has been llv-
ing In Columbus for a number of
years. utt
According to the accounts given in
the newspapers Baker, who was an
insurance collector, had gone to the
home Of Walden to make a collection
OF an insurance premium due, Walden
being policy holder in the company
employing Baker. The call was made
by arrangement with Walden who ear
lier had asked Baker to postpone com.
ing to collect until that time.
When Baker called at the Walden
home, at $3.50 Monday afternoon, he
was assaulted by Walden with an iron
bar and knocked to the floor uncon-
scious. Reviving he was assaulted by
Walden a second time being beaten so
severely that he died Monday night
at II o'clock.
The outcry of Baker while being
beaten by Walden was heard by
Mrs. Anna Walker, next door neigh
Dor of Vaidenn She called the police
who reached the Walden home two
minutes after the call was received.
Baker was sent to a hospital and Valid.
en- placed under arrest.
When the police came Walden was
making plans to conceal the body of
Baker and to make his escape. On
Vaiden's person was found $38 he
had taken from his victim, overlook
ing SIS Baker had in his clothing.
Baker is said to be the twenty-third
murder victim in Franklin county this
year and the sixth to be killed with
robbery as the motive.
Baker has been away from Mt. Ver-
non for number of years. The last
city directory in which his name ap.
pears is that published in 1910. He
was then living at No. 113 North Cath
crime street. He was employed here
as a craftsman. His father, Charles
Baker, Sr., was we'll known painter.
Clarence Baker was brother Of the
murdered man. None OF the family
now are living in Mt. Vernon, it is
understood.
Charles d. Baker was married and
there are in his family several step
children. He was employed as COL
lector by the Western & Southern
Life Insurance Co.
According to statements given by
the widow of the murdered man Bak-
er's work vas "a collector caused him
to fear the death he met. His duties
took him into sections of Columbus
where he might have reason to fear
for his safety. He told his fears to
his family but kept his courage 60.
ing on collecting insurance premiums
from those whom he declared would
some day kill him."
"He didn't like to complain," said
Mrs. Baker, because he was no COW
ard, but the class of persons with
whom he was obliged to deal aroused
his suspicious. They frequently OBJ
served him with keen interest, and
no often worried fearing they would
rob him. He was at their mercy"
The funeral services for Baker
were held privately at his home, 1S1t
Hunter avenue, Columbus, Wednes
day Burial was in Greenlawn GENE
terry, Columbus
The franklin county grand jury al
ready has indicted Walden for first de
gree murder. He was bound over b!
the municipal court and had been in
dicted by the grand jury before h
was received at the county jail. Th'
columbus papers comment upon tn
Fspeedy action. the indictment of tn
murder following the commission o
the crime only IS hours. Walden
trial be at the opening of the Januar
term of court.
Mr.. Baker was born and raised !
Mt. Vernon. For many years he wa
employed in the drafting departmer
at the C. & G. Cooper Co. plant. Fl
was the son of the late c. S. ]. Bake
well.known painter, who died fe
years ago and is buried IN Noun
View cemetery. The murdered man
mother will be remembered as Mis-
Mary Craig.