Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-04-28
LAST MINUTE PLEA
MADE TO GOVERNOR
BY MANS ATTORNEY
the crowd, then coming back and
hrenarine himself to be tied I'D.
Continued from Page u

Floyd county, and six deputies.
George Baker was brought here
from Rome by a circuitous route be-
fore daylight this morning and lodg
ed in the Walker county Jail almost
within the shadow of the gallows on
which he was to hang for the MUIR
der of Deputy Sheriff J. w. Morton.
After the condemned man had bid
den farewell to his brother. Ralph
who was saved from the gallows by
Governor HaIIwick's combination.
George was handcuffed and placed
III an automobile which stole out of
a Rome side street exactly a. mid
night Thursday. Sheriff Wilson and
three deputies rode with him, while
another car carrying three other
deputies and TWO representatives. Of
Atlanta newspapers trailed The pilot
car.
Last-Minute Appeal
o. N. Chambers, attorney for
George Baker, dispatched the follow
ing last-minute appeal to Governor
Hardwick Friday from Rome:
"Affidavits of two Floyd county
physicians @and other reputable wit
nesses, one a minister, showing
George Baker has become insane
since his conviction signed here last
night and on way to you. You are
urgently requested to grant reprieve
and appoint expert physicians to in
vestigate his sanity. Please act at
once
Mr., and Mrs. Baker, parents of
George Baker, arrived here at 10
o'clock, accompanied by several Sal
walton Army workers and Attorney
o. n. Chambers. They seemed prac-
tically to have abandoned all hope.
A violin screeched out Home, Sweet
Home" among the crowds which
surrounded the Jail.
A large crowd met the o'clock
train in the expectation that the
Baker party would arrive then. but
they came later by automobile
Georges wife stated she would not
come unit latter the execution.
Pm Ready" He Tells Parents
The Baker family, with Pa Baker
holding a little girl by each hand,
filed slowly into the death cell at
1915 o'clock. Every one but rela-
tives was excluded. Mrs. Baker re-
manned only a few minutes. She
came out sobbing and had to be
helped to an automobile. Pa Baker
followed. He was weeping and had
his arms around Gilbert, the eleven
year-old son. He stopped to talk
with Rev. G. w. Cox, Alton Park
Tenn, who formerly preached to
the Baker family at their home near
Flat Rock.
When the Baker family filed in to
say goodbye, George was the most
composed of the lot. I'm ready, |
don't you worry" he told his par
ents. His mother burst out weep
ing and was led from the corridor,
where the hanging took place.
In Cell Near GallOwS
George Bakers cell in the Walker
county jail is within ten fee oi tie
gallows, located on a stair landing
about eight by ten feet, The trap
to the Jail chambers.
Sheriff l.. w. Harmon, of Walker
county, greeted the party upon It's
arrival at $40 o'clock and announc-
ed that everything was in readiness
LII lllC SNSCullOIls n uIlRllS rain
fell for about an hour after day.
break but let up about o'clock.
The press of the crowd around the
Jail this morning led authorities to
stretch ropes around the building.
People poured into the town all the
morning from the surrounding coun-
try, many coming from other coun-
ties.
Only Coffee for Breakfast
An excellent breakfast of chicken,
ham and eggs, etc, was provided
for the doomed man, but he would
touch nothing but a cup of coffee.
Rev. /. S. Leonard, pastor of the
First Baptist church here, was al
lowed to go to the death cell for a
final service of prayer and consola-
ton for George, and number of
prisoners whom he had known, were
allowed to speak to him in fare
well. One old negro who had been
in the Jail a long time was heard
praying for him. NeWspap ermen
asked him how he felt, and he re-
piled, "All right" His voice was a
bit strained, but he was in a much
more composed state than expected.
Asked if he slept any after arriving
here, he said "a little"
The Baker family spent Thursday
night IN Rome unaware that George
was 70 be removed to Lafayette be-
fore early Friday morning.
George Baker assumed a stole
calmness as the hour for his eXecu- |
ton drew near. He answered ques-
tons freely on the long drive from
Rome, again asserting that he fired
no shots in the struggle with Mr..
Morton. He said he had hoped that |
either the lives of both Ralph md
himself would be saved, or that the
two might die together.
After he was placed in the cell
here at 4 o'clock he replied to greet
ings from old acquaintances among
the prisoners and readily posed for
photographers TO take a flashlight |
picture. He asked for a comb to ,
smooth down his hair and requested
that copies of the picture be given to
members of his family. Ralph was
left sobbing on his cot in the Rome |
Jail attened by Cedric Smith, thir- |
teen-year-old prisoner, who asked to |
lie allowed to spend the remainder |
of the night with the grief-stricken |
brother.
Brothers Sleep, Arms Entwined
Ralph, and George were sleeping
on the same cot, their arms en- |
tWined, when they were awakened by |
Floyd county jailers shortly before |
midnight Thursday. When newspa- |
per men were admitted, George had |
dressed and was lying across the |
body of Ralph, who had buried his |