Telegram from Special Officer B.W. Bell to Attorney General concerning lynching of Frazier Baker
4/19/1899
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On February 22,1898, Frazier Baker (the postmaster of Lake City, South Carolina) and his family awoke to discover that a fire had been deliberately set to the back of their home, where the local post office was located. Baker and his daughter Julia were shot to death, and their bodies were left to cremate. Baker’s wife, Lavinia, and daughters Rosa and Cora were each shot through the arm, and his son, Lincoln, was shot in the arm and in the stomach.
In an April 19, 1899, telegram to the Attorney General, Special Officer B.W. Bell (an officier hired to investigate the Lake City case) expressed full confidence in the strength of the evidence, stating that “If jury does not convict it will be utterly useless herafter [sic] to attempt convictions in this state for similar offences." After two strong opposing arguments, the jury deliberated for 24 hours. On April 22, “not guilty” verdicts were returned for three men.The jury was deadlocked five to seven for a guilty verdict on the other eight defendants, and the judge ordered a mistrial.
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S.C. Dated Apr. 19, 1899
23/13
Department of Justice
Number 6229 |
1899 |
Received |
File No. 3463 |
1898 |
Apr. 20, 1899 |
From Bell, Special Officer
Subject:
Government made exceptionally strong case, Bryan's effort before Grand Jury most powerful, etc.
(Lake City case.)
Charged to Boyd
Action
File (checkmark)
The Western Union Telegraph Company
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THOS. T. ECKERT, President and General Manager.
Received at Wyatt Building, Cor. 14th & F Streets, Washington, DC Apr. 19, 1899
Dated Charleston, SC, 19
To Atty Gen'l Washn DC
Government made exceptionally strong case Bryan's effort before Jury. Most powerful superb, logical, & convincing. Defendants alibi completely riddled & Destroyed. If Jury does not convict it will be
[continued on next page, omitting headings of telegraph]
utterly useless herafterto attempt convictions in this state for similar offenses.
Bell Special Officer
This primary source comes from the General Records of the Department of Justice.
Full Citation: Telegram from Special Officer B.W. Bell to Attorney General concerning lynching of Frazier Baker; 4/19/1899; Case File 3463/98: March 1899 - June 1911; Year Files, 1884 - 1903; General Records of the Department of Justice, Record Group 60; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/telegram-special-officer-bell, April 29, 2024]