Year: 1879

PETERSBURG Va. Dec. 10. 1879.


Frank Baker. the negro murderer of Sussex
county. executed at tho County Court House to-
day. by direction OF the Court the gallows was
erected near the jail. and enclosed by high. broad
fence so as to exclude the public. and but few per-
sons Witnessed the hanging. At noon the doomed
man was taken from his cell to the gallows. where
he met his death with perfect Indifference.
The black cap was drawn over his face
the fatal knot adjusted. the trap door sprung. and
Baker dangling in the air. He died apparently
without a struggle. After he was pronounced dead
his body was cut down and buried near the scene of
the execution. The fatal knot was tied by Deputy
Sargent OF Petersburg. This is the first execution
that has taken place in Virginia in great number of
years.


The crime for which Frank Baker executed
was nendish and revolving. Judge s.. s. Weiseger.
in whose court he was tried and convicted has been
the bench for the past ten or twelve years, and
has, probably, had more criminal cases to try than
any other circuit judge in the State. among them
many prisoners charged with capital offences. He
does not hesitate to say that this crime tho most
deliberate aud cold-blooded that has ever come to
his attention. Baker about twenty-five
twenty years OF age. Of color about



and not altogether Of unprepossessing personal ap
pearance He was the Son OF Maria Hose who was
arrested as al acconipice in the murder. This
woman, Maria Rose, vt one time the wife OF one
Jim Rose. A few weeks before the murder bitter
quarrel arose between Jim Rose and his wife, which
in the latter being forcibly driven from her
home. She took quarters in house mile
from her husbands house with Frank Baker, her
son by former husband. and another son only six
years OF age. Though separated the wife
did not forget the apparent injustice that had been
done her. Her jealousy seems to have been aroused
hxr Ia fant That hAr ahapd had tn Eau IN
his homo to- live with him. ostensibly as
housekeeper. but generally believed to be
who had infant aged about eighteen months.
On Friday, August l. Jim Rose came to Petersburg
and her infant were murdered. on the following
day, when the crime was discovered. Baker, his
mother and the little boy were arrested and the the
it in way that carried with it the conviction Of
truth those who heard him. 1t was in substance
follows:-His mother and Baker went to Roses
house in the night. carrying the boy with them.
Rose was known to be absent. and it was known
also that he would not return until the next after
noon. Arriving at the house Henrietta Shands
could bs seen through the crack in the door.
ss BY n.sas the sa .vea With this I
ut the woman. the shots. however. failing
to take effect The door was then broken open and
Baker rushed In. seized the detenceless woman and
threw her the hoor Turning deaf eur to all
her cries for mercy the brute held her down firmly.
while his mother Maria Rose, beat her over the
head aud neck with heavy piece of iron-a piece of
wheel tire-causing frighttul wounds and bruises.





out Into the yard but signs of life being shown the
piece Of iron again used and the victims head
was crushed almost to jelly. the brains and blood
flowing out together in the yard. Death was beyond
doubt this time. Baker then re. entered the Eonse
and soizing the sleeping child roughly woke 1t. car
ried it out to a hollow stump short distance away
threw the body into the hole and deliberately
buried 1t alive. The dirt was packed down on the
body with the foot and chopped through with q
SPADE The child was. of course. quickly suhocated.
death doubt being hastened by the sharp edRe Of
the spade. The child being thus concealed the body
rf thuv n UuQIav tn hp ifni
posed Of. In the WOODS the parties came to q hole
caused by uprooted tree. and into that the body
was thrown. It found too small for the pur-
pose. and the body pulled out and carried some
hundreds yards further and cast into pond. the
water securely hiding 1t from view.


INDICTMENT OF THE wRETcHEs.


To all these diabolica proceedings the little boy OF
and horriied witness How it that he al
lowed to them cannot well be explained. The
three spent the night in the house where the murder
was committed, and returned home the following
day, after endesvoring to destroy all the evidence
against them The bodies of the dead were recovered
went with those who were sent to make investiga-
ton Of the crime and pointed out to them the places
where the bodies had been concealed. His state
ment, thrilingly told for one so young. was
corroborated in every respect. A great deal OF
excitement was caused IN the county. especially
crime was discovered, but there was no attempt at
violence. aud the law allowed to take its course.
On the 7th OF August Maria Hose aud Frank Baker
indicted in the County Court, but, was their
right under the law they elected to be tried before
.. -
court commenced on the LIST Of November. Baker,
meanwhile, had made q ful free and voluntary cou-
ated his mother. and said he alone responsible
for the deed. This latter part OF his story not
believed. and obtains no credit to this day. The jury
brought q verdict of murder in the first degree,
and Judge Weisiger at once passed sentence on the
cuprit. The sentence was u most impressive one.
but the prisoner received 1t with the most stold in
difference. Of all the crowd IN the court room he
was the least affected. He was convicted solely


Maria Rose was then arragned and pleaded not
guilty. The only witness against her was her little
son. who was too young and too ignorant to under,
he any idea of future rewards or punishment. After
very careful examination ON these points by tho
Court and Commonwealths attorney his evidence
excluded. and the jury had nothing to do but
bring in verdict of not guilty There is not how
does not believe her equally as guilty as her
son Baker. and the verdict had rested
ons %ns it would would have ave- been '' one Of guilty. Mo
unless by the instructions Of the Judge. The
OF the tragedy was some two or three miles from
Stonybrook station, ON the Petersburg and Weldon
Railroad. III Sussex county about twenty miles from
Petersburg. Baker said it his intention to kill
the boy who afterward informed against him, but
his wicked heart sottened under his smiles and inno
cence.


-


vA.--A DETERMINED CULPRIT-How HE


KILLED HIS NEroHpoR FUaATE AFTER LONG


pREpARAT1oN-HIs LAWYER COMPELLED TO


FLEE.


IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD


BnIsroL Tenn, Dec. 10, 1879.


Thrco thousand people assembled in the mud and
rain to-day At Estiliville. Va. with the hope Of
ing the execution of Daniel Deane, who was hanged
ut two O'Clock In the privacy Of q small twelve
foot plank stockade. required BY recent
statute. With exception tho execu-
ton was perfectly successful tho condemned
having q speedy and painless doath. He dropped
four feet. ana though his wrists had been tied be-
hind him, he disengaged his hands and instanta-
neously with both of thcm graspod tho rope above
his head making several distinct efforts to raise
his body. In a few seconds his arms fell motion
less and with barely perceptible move
ment Of the feet all was over. In ten
minutes the pulse ceased TO beat. and