Found Dead.

Manawatu Herald, 27 February 1904, Page 3

Found Dead.

SUPPOSED SUICIDE AT PALMERSTON. The body of Mr G. F. Baker, the well-known building contractor, was found in the Borough reserve in Churchstreet yesterday morning under circumstance which point conclusively to the fact that deceased had taken his own life. About five o’clock yesterday morning Mr Thos. Wood, of Ashley-street, sent his son to the reserve to catch a horse there. The boy returned and told his father that a man was lying near the recently-erected morgue. Investigation showed that it was the body of Mr Baker. It was fully dressed; the trousers were fastened with bicycle clips, and the coat and waistcoat were open. A revolver was found alongside, and there was a bullet wound in the upper part of the stomach. Deceased was lying on his back with his feet touching the northern corner ol the morgue building. After the police had been communicated with the body was removed inside the morgue. . , ~. . Some residents in the neighbourhood assert that the report of a firearm was heard between 2 and 3 o’clock yesterday morning, blit beyond this nothing can be gathered as to the time of the fatal deed. The late Mr Baker was well-known in Palmerston. He had resided here with his family for five or six years, having come from the Taranaki district. During his residence in Palmerston he worked up a large connection in his business, and at the time of his death employed about 30 men. He was 61 years of age 00 Thursday, and leaves a wife and family of five sons and four daughters. During the past few months MBaker had been greatly troubled by insomnia, and this was probably the cause of the deed. The news of his untimely death will be received with deep and lasting regret by all who knew him, and warm sympathy will be extended to his mourning relatives. As an employer, Mr Baker is spoken most highly of, being ever ready to help those in distress.—Standard.