The Wilmington Daily Republican

A POSTMASTER MURDERED
His House Burned Down and His Baby Killed--Other Children Wounded.

Lake City, S. C., Feb. 23.--About 1 o'clock in the morning Postmaster Baker, a negro, and his child were shot to death and their bodies cremated. It is said that a mob numbering several hundred surrounded Baker's house where the postoffice is kept, set fire to the building and opened fire with guns upon it. Baker was killed, his two daughters and one son were seriously wounded. The woman had a baby in her arms, and she says that the ball that went through her hand passed through the baby and killed it. All the wounded are maimed for life. Baker was appointed postmaster three months ago. Lake City is a town of 300 inhabitants, and the negro population in the vicinity is large. There was a protest at Baker's appointment, but it was not a very vigorous one. Some time afterward he was fired upon from ambush. Recently Baker moved his family into a house on the outskirts of the town, where he also established the postoffice. A week ago a body of men who kept concealed behind buildings and fences riddled the building with shot and rifle bullets. They shot high, and no one was hurt, but it was supposed they conveyed a warning. It was a short time before that Senators Tillman and McLaurin and Congressman Horton had asked the postmaster general to remove Baker, because of his color, and the request had been refused. As a result of the latest outrage two of Baker's daughters had their arms broken close to the shoulder and will probably lose them. Another of the girls is believed to be fatally wounded. Two of the seven occupants of the house escaped with slight injuries. The bodies of Baker and the infant were cremated in the building, and all mail matter was destroyed.