Albert BAKER
1896 - April 28 - Sutton Shooting

Mill Manager Aldrich on Trial Before Judge Utley.

How Albert Baker was Wounded.

Story of the Quarrel in the Counting-Room.

Almost the entire population of the village of Wilkinsonville were in court to-day, when the long-deferred hearing in the cas or Charles T. Aldrich, Jr., charged with shooting Albert Baker in Sutton of Feb. 22d, took place before Judge Utley in the Central District Court.

Charles M. Thayer, Esq., appeard for the prosecution, and F. L. Brown, Esq., of Bacon & Jopkins, for the defendant.

Mr. Thayer stated that the government proposed to show that Mrs. Baker, the mother of the complaintant went to the mill on the day of the shooting and was attacked by the defendant. The complaintant went to the assistance of his mother and was atttacked by the defendant. As he was leaving, the compaintaint was shot bye the defendant.

There were a dozen or more witnesses on each side, and at the rquest of counsel they were excluded from the court-room during the hearing.

Albert Baker, the complainant, was the first witness placed on the stand, and his testimony was substantially as follows: -

Albert Baker testified that he lived in Wilkinsonville and was employed at the Sutton Woollen Mills on Februar 22. He worked in the finishing room. ON that day he came up stairs about 11:45 o'clock. His mother called to him and said that Charlie Aldrich was trying to murder her. In the office he found Charlie ALdrich and his wife. Aldrich had a revolver in his hand. He said he had put Baker's brother out, and turning to his mother he told her that if she was not a woman he would do the same for her. She told him he probably would becvause he didn't know any better. Aldrich then took my mother by the shoulder and pushed her toward the door and down the stairs. Then he gaver her a push and she fell on her back. I went down and said "That's my mother." and grabbed Aldrich by the arm, and we had a tussle. Then I started with my borther Willie to run down past the fence, and I heard a shot. I said to my brother Willie, "Hurry, he's shooting through the fence at us." A second shot was fired and it grazed my hand and entered my side. I began to feel weak, but kept on running until I got to Mr. Morse's house. I was attended by Dr. Conin and was confined to the house for a number of weeks. Am not entirely well yet.

Cross-examined by Mr. Brown: Knew that my mother was coming to the mill that day. Did not know my brother Willie was coming. Aldrich told me that he had put my brother Willie out and he did not want him to come around there any more. He said that he had spoiled some cloth and he would have to pay for it. My mother told Aldrich that he was picking on Willie for nothing. When Aldrich led my mother out he did not striker her, but when she was on the lower step he gave her a push. Did not see her attempt to strik him. Heard her say, "Let me alone, you dirty scoundrel." At this time my brother Willie was standing by the yard gate, some distance away. When Aldrich pushed my mother down stairs, he said. "This has gone far enogh; she is my mother."

I got hold of his wrist and he put the revolver in my vace. I struck him two or three times. THe last time I struck him I drew blood. While we were scuttling, Willie came up and took hold of Aldrich and I tried to get the revolver away from him. Will swear that Willie did not say to me, "Get the revolver away from him and kill him."

Mahon, Fallon and Collins came out of the mill and into the yard by the side gate. Mike Mahon shouted, "Hold on." I replied "We're not doing anything to him, only trying to get the revolver away from him." Then they got hold of ALdrich and told us to run. When they came out Aldrich was facing the mill. Willie was in front of ALdrich and I was at his side. Three shots were fired in the yard while we were fighting.

When I started away, I ran out of the gate and around the corner of the fence. Wore a pair of overalls, a pair of pants, a shirt and an undershirt at the time. Don't know whether my clothing was singed or burned at the time. Will swear that Aldrich shot me while I was out on the road running. Have not said to any one that there would have been no trouble if Willie had not come to the mill that day. Am still suffering some pain. Have not been able to play ball since.

Dr. H. W. Cronin of Millbury testified that Baker was brought to his office on February 22. He found a bullet hole on the left side, four inches from the spinal column. He locard the bullet on the right side, two inches from the spinal column.

At this point the witness produced the bullet which was of 38-calibre and which he identified.

Cross-examined by Mr. Brown: Baker was sick from the day of the shooting until March 17. Did not make any special examination fo the clothing worn by Baker at the time of the shooting. Could not say whether it was burned or not.

At this point, Dr. Davis, a witness for the defence, was alled to testify in order that he might not be longer detained.

He testified to attnding Mr. ALdrich an finding a cut upon the side of the nose, which required several stitches. It apparently penetrated to the nasal bone. There was also a bunch upon the forehead, and I think that there were several scratches on the face as well. The cut on the side of the nose was apparently made by some sharp instrument.

Dr. Church, for the defence, testified that he was called into Dr. Cronin's office while Baker was there. He saw the blue flannel shirt at the time. Afterwards he saw a pair of overalls, which Baker was said to have worn at the time. Where the bullet hole was found they appeared to be scorched.

William Baker testified that he went to the Aldrich mill on Feb. 22 to see about getting his pay. "I was going through the office to take my brother's dinner," he went on, "when Aldrich stopped me. I went out and was standing by the gate when I saw my mother coming down the steps. Aldrich had one had upon her shoulder, and carried his revolver in the other. When they reached the foot of the steps Aldrich gave my mother a push and kocked her down. Then my brother came down and had a scuttle with Aldrich. I ran to him and we tried to get the revolver. THen Fallon came out and we started to run away. Two shots were fired as we were running away."

At this point the evidence of William Baker was interrupted and Dr. Church was recalled and asked as to the wound upon Baker's hand. He said that there as a slight scratch there which might have been made by a bullet.

Dr. Lincoln testified that he examined th would five days afterwards. It looked as though it might have been made by a nail, a finger nail, or any sharp instrument.

The testimony of William Baker was resumed, and he said that after the second shot was fired, as they were running away, he saw a hole in his brother's overalls. They then went to Mr. Morse's house.

Cross-examined by Mr. Brown: Left Aldrich's employ because of a dispute as to pay. Was not angry. Did not threaten to get square. Went there the next day to get my pay. My mother went there to see about som board money. Did not swear at Aldrich in the office. Went back into the yard because I thought that Aldrich was going to shoot my brother. When we were running away, did not look back to see where Aldrich was when I heard the shots.

Did not have a kife on the day of trouble. Was not engaged in a fight a few days ago.

Alexander Pyd was the next witness. He testified that he had lived in Wilkinsonville and worked in Smith's shoddy mill. Passed the Aldrich mill every day. Was passing there about ten minutes of 12, on February 22. Saw a number of people in the yard, and saw the two Baker boys come out the gate and run toward Millbury. Saw Mr. Aldrich fire two shots toward them.

Mrs. Jane Baker, the mother of the complainant, was then called and testified in substance as follows: Reached the Aldrich Mill about 10 minutes of 12 o'clock on Febraury 22. My son Willie was with me. Mr. and Mrs. Aldrich were in the office. Willie started to go into the mill with his brother's dinner, when Aldrich stopped him. Willie sat down in a chair. Aldrich and Willie had some words. Aldrich called him a bad name and said he had spoiled cloth enough so that he would get no pay. Aldrich said to me that Willie had had the face to say that he had spoiled the cloth. The boy said that that was not so. Then Aldrich struck the boy on ths shoulder and they had a scuffle. Finally Aldrich got the boy sown and was striking him on the head with the revolver. I turned to Mrs. Aldrich and asked her to ask her husband to stop, but she only smiled.

I went into the mill to call for assistance, saying that Aldrich was murdering my boy. When I got back to the office, Willie was gone and Albert was there. Then Aldrich took me by the shoulder and pushed me out of the office and down stairs. When I got to the foot of the stairs, he gave me a shove and sent me on the broad of my back.

Then ALbert and Aldrich got into a scuffle, and Willie came into the yard and tried to help his brother. Then McMahon and two others came out. The boys started to get away, and then Aldrich fired two shots at them through the fence. I was close beside him when he fired.

Cross-examined by Mr. Brown: Did not threaten before I went to the mill office that if I did not get the money I would give Aldrich fits. When I first went into the office I saw the revolver lying on the desk. Did not curse Mr. Aldrich while in the office.

Mrs. Baker was still on the stand when a recess was taken until 2:15 o'clock this afternoon.

Afternoon Session.
When the trial was resumed, this afternoon, the case for the prosecution was speedily completed.

Charles T. Aldrich, J. then took the stand. He testified that Willie Baker had threatened him with violence, when they had a dispute over the matter of pay. He owen him only $4. When Willie Baker called at noon, he objected to his going into the mill.

Hard words ensued and he finally took Mrs. Baker by the shoulder to put her out. At the foot of the stairs he was attacked by the mother and both sons and badly beaten. Mrs. Baker hit him with the dinner pail. Albert Baker struck him in the faced and kicked him, and Willie Baker stabbed him in the nose with a jack-knifew. He thought his wife was in danger, and drew his revolver. In the struggle it was accidently discharged twice. One shot hit Albert Baker in the hip.

Mrs. Aldrich, the wife of the defendant, testified at length to the quarren in the counting-room, and said that when her husband was putting Mrs. Baker out, she went quietly until she reached the foot of the steps, when she turned and struck Mr. Aldrich. At the same moment she saw Willie Baker coming toward them with something that looked like an open knife in his hand. With this he struck at her husband.

Worcester Evening Gazette
Worcester, Massachusetts
April 28, 1896