The Trial Soon To Begin – Preparations Being Made By The Prosecution And Defense.

A venire of sixty jurors has been summoned for the Baker murder trial, commencing next Monday, the 18th. With twenty jurors held over from the last term of court, this will make a venire of eighty. Many express the opinion that the entire venire will be exhausted, and another of the same number, before a jury will be obtained. Many parties have expressed themselves as having their minds made up, and there is little doubt but that at least two or three days will be consumed in selecting and empanneling the jury. The lawyers say the case will last at least two weeks, and may continue for three. It is expected that a large crowd will be in attendance during the trial, as everybody in the county seems anxious to hear the first murder trial in Hancock county. It is not strange that a double murder, so heinous in its details, should attract attention from all quarters, nor that the trial should elicit the curiosity of this entire section. It has always been customary to publish the jury list, but the court officials deemed it best not to have it printed this time, and so declined to give it out for publication. One reason for this is that some parties have said that rather than serve on the jury, they would leave the county. In such cases the Sheriff would have considerable trouble serving his summons.

Baker was sick last week, and was taking medicine prescribed by Dr. McLane.

Eighty jurors will cost the county $120 per day, and their mileage. Of course the panel of eighty will soon be cut down. The twelve jurors will receive $2 per day from the time they are empaneled.

Baker is having anything but a pleasant time in his hot, narrow cell at the court house.

A watchman has been sleeping in the room in which his cell is located every night.

Sheriff Lindsay started out last Thursday to notify those who were drawn on the jury.

There will probably be about on hundred witnesses in the case.

Baker says that in case John McSweeny, of Wooster, O., assists the prosecution, Dan Voorhees, “the tall sycamore of the Wabash,” will assist the defense. He said it was so arranged that Voorhees will come on telegraphic notice. – New Cumberland Independent, 13th.

BAD FOR BAKER