Person:Arthur Baker (6)

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                                                               SOUGHT DEATH

               Lover's Parting Too Much for Private Baker, of Clyde.

 Tried to Commit Suicide Wednesday Night in the Toledo Armory--Shot Himself in the Head--Will   Probably Recover

 Private Arthur W. Baker, company I, Sixteenth regiment, O.N.G., shot himself in an attempt at suicide in the armory at 6:30 o'clock last evening, says today's Toledo Commercial.

 There was no direct eye-witness of the attempt at self slaughter, and of his general demeanor since the company was called for possible was service opinions of his comrades differ; some says he was cheerful, even eager to do his whole duty wherever he might be places, while others are now reminded that at times during the past three days he had been depressed, thoughtful to the point of dejection.

 All day yesterday young Baker was on guard duty, being relieved at 5:30 o'clock. He was visited by a young lady from Clyde, to whom he was engaged.  Their marriage was planned for the near future; one of his comrade says their wedding day was to have been today, Thursday.  The lovers had a long talk, and Baker let out something of its drifts.  Women's fear in war's prospective presence were voiced and happily they were too easily assimilated by the young man who had passed his two and twenty years under his mother's immediate influence in a peaceful home.  She told him how, even is he escaped the Spaniard's bullets, the yellow fever would find him quite as effectually in Cuban swamps; how they might never meet again, and many other fear-fed fancies.

 When his sweetheart left him Baker was much dejected. Who may catch his jumbled thoughts of life. of war, of death, of "that vast forever?"

 It was supper time, and his comrades called him.  But he wanted no supper; the mental in him had obliterated the physical, though he should have been both hungry and weary.  He rolled himself in a blanket on a bed tick in the company quarters at the extreme south end of the armory.  Comrades cane and in good-humored rough play shook him up by his heels.  But he would not go, and they left him.

 He lay and thought. A newsboy came up to him,. calling the evening papers.  He wanted none.  A member of his company was writing a letter to the home folks at Clyde a few feet from him, the writers's back being turned towards Baker,  The newsboy, passing again, noticed Baker fumble in one of his pockets; thinking he was getting out money., he again proffered a paper, Baker waved him away.  A moment later a sharp report rang out.  The man writing the letter did not move his head.

 Private Arthur W. Baker, of company I, Sixteenth regiment, O.N.G. had taken from his pocket a 22-caliber revolver--a toy gun, practically, but like Mercurio wound, it sufficed. He thrust its barrel well into his mouth and pointed upward, fired and fell back on his pallet.

 Private Baker had shot himself; intent on self-slaughter.

 All was commotion in the armory a minute after, and when the story of the shooting leaked outside the crowds rushed for the gates.

 The regimental surgeon attended the wounded boy and McGlynn's ambulance carried him to the Toledo hospital.  Private Hawk went out to find Baker's brother, who lives in Toledo, and acquainted him with the sad facts.  The first impression of the medical men was that the shot might prove fatal, but at the hospital and examination proved that the wound inflicted was not even very serious.  No attempt was made to extract the bullet. which is lodged near the base of the brain.

 At midnight young Baker was resting comfortably, his brother, George Baker, being at his bedside.  In a few days he may be out again, seeing the sunnier side of life, and ere long the lovers may be linked in bonds hymeneal.

 Arthur W. Baker enlisted in company I at Clyde, two years ago, when he was 20 years old.  He has lived all his life with his parents out on their farm, four or five miles north of Clyde, on the Maumee pike.  He is a bright young man, about five feet seven inches in height and weighing 145 or 150 pounds.  Company I, says he has always been attentive to his military duty and gave promise of "making a good soldier " if ever called on.  To the greater number of his company comrades he has been little known as an intimate--his only close friend being Private Hawk--but what they do know of his has commanded their respect.