Putnam patriot., 1926-01-08

the money tQ frieuds
 Wants Speedy Justice
 When it was suggested that he try to get a bondsman Baker said that he could not get one and intimated that he did not want one saying that he preferred to start right in paE'r9 the penalty. The punishment t9 be meted out to him apparently held no fear for him He said he had been punished already as much as f Has possible to punish ang man. intimat= ing that what he had gone through on account Of remorse. worry and a troubled conscience was far worse than any physical punish ment that the law might see fit to in fliet upon him.
 Gave Personal History
 He gave his history in affidavit form after being warned by Mir Co- hen that anything he might say would be used against him He knew of that. he said. and then related that he was twenty-seveu years old. born in Pam- fret. was graduated from the Putnam High school in 1915. and had entered the bank upon graduation. lH 1921 he was made assistant cashier. and married a BraiHtree, Mass. girl Nc children were born of this marriafs.
 He continued as assistant cashier. his affidavit continued. until October t5. 1924. when he resigneA, follow ing the receivership of the b1Ak It Was from 1921 to 1924 tha' be tole from the bank. he said.
 Baker explained his purpose in re turning from Florida and going into seclusinn al his cottaPe at AleXan1er's Iake hv statinc that he ennfemnlated committing suicide He raxe aD t'1s .dea. be said. and threw his revolver into the lake.
 To Confess Ia Boston
 According to raker' fHrtHr 5e- meut he left Putnam fnr F. '#a eth Che intention of eallHe 9a sra 2ank Examiner SaHHf 3#n. with whom he became weiI aeW5H..i while Hr Bcau wa. n FuHaa fa' lav1ua the bank f#Hra 8'6I E iz as tuned that it Vas h intert-la ta m E. his eonfes oH .e Nr Rem
 After stavinz u E t1a uesHl ff#ss- day December 3l. 4a1 heiue uahle ts gel np his caHraer fo carry aut hiz uur1nse. he went tH Hartford He repi=fere4 at the Hotel Dom Thurs. dnv evening II was while in the ho. tel fhat he read The Patriots story Apparently this emuhasized ta hin thc fact that he had burned the hr.dyt ia Putnam behind him Pats7u is fhs only place he has mum 1Toas friends
 l. E.s 1T ..i his life and would natur lF wish tS return here After re7ding ths story nf his mysterious visit '7 chi city he realized that he could not rc turn Co Putnam without heinz able ft explain this mysterious visit and hil unusual actions while here the veel previous.
 Two Alternatives
 This Jeff Baker with but twa al ternatives he could run aw8v tn part of the country where he a-a without friends and unknown. or h' could go through with his orieina nurunse. Tn the first alternative h, could not get away from his con science. state of mind that c5use. ,lecplcss nights and constant worry that life of he'll" he constantly al ludcd to Taking the opfv other course meant punishment at tha Hagi of the laW The legal naaIhman seemed les t5 him than that which thraurh his dishonesty Was elf ehict.d 8Hd he left the hoti fo tho district tiorney's efiee ta rat re lief bV makHr his confession to th officers of che government and .r th world
 Nothing to Say
 When Baker was presented ir tn Hartford police court he was no chilled uuda ta say anything Assist ant histref Attorncv Cohen state. that the prisoner was charged with thl rmhezziement If SIG. .000 Co which h had confessed. and asked that he h' held until arrangements could hl wude 10 handle the case in tho Unite, States court The court thersuuo' ordered Baker held in bonds of S25. GOO and he was taken tn iail Th' whole proceedings lasted but minut, or two.
 The clearing up of the mystery o the disappearance of bonds Of the Nc Duffy estate from the safe deposi box in che bank has come as a relic to those interested in the admiuistra tion of that estate.
 No collusion
 According to Bakers statement there was no collusion between him self and his chief. Gilpatric and tha neither knew what the other was do ing in helninc themselves Co funds il the bank for their own private use
 The confession of Baker hrougb forth rrrat deal of speculation Much has been written about th banks affairs since Baker was ar rested sIt is alleged" :" cit is assumed and ft is believed" This denote uncertainty and an attempt at reason ing and dedueing for the purpose Q making news matter.
 Prominent Facts
 The known facts that stand ou prominently at the present time ar that Baker has confessed: that he ad mits stealing Si6.S00; that his con fessien was voluntary: that it wa made because his conscience trouble him and he wished to show that h had enouch manhood still remainin to admit his error; that he expects { be nunished and Is ready and willin to take such punishment as the la' may demand There will doubtless b other facts come to hght from time [ time and it is hoped that much Of th