People's Pilot, Volume 4, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 July 1894 — HANGED HER FOUR CHILDREN. [ARTICLE]

HANGED HER FOUR CHILDREN.

Insane Act of Mrs. Baker After a Quarrel with Her Husband. St. Albans, Vt., July 3.—Merrill Baker and his wife quarreled, Saturday forenoon at their home in Montgomery and Baker left in an angry mood. They had quarreled frequently and bitterly, but this time Baker said before he left that he would stand it no longer. Soon after he left Mrs. Baker, it is thought, became suddenly insane and took their four children, ranging in age from 1 to 6 years, and hanged them to the bedstead posts, tying cords around their necks and fastening them to the bedstead. She also hanged two canary birds. There was no one near at the time and the little ones were entirely helpless. When found a short time afterward their lives had gone out. It was an awful sight, and one that would melt the hardest heart. The mother could not be found at first, but diligent search revealed her behind some bushes near the house. She was taken into custody and has been pronounced insane and will probably be sent to the asylum.