Joseph B Baines, Neighbor of George W Baker

 

Be it remembered, that on this 23rd day of October, 1860, personally came and appeared before me, John Bunch, an acting Justice of the Peace, duly commissioned, and certified as such within and for said county, Joseph B. Bains, who after being duly sworn according to testify the truth, the whole truth, in regard to the amount, quality and value of certain property which was in the possession of George W. Baker when he left here in the month of April 1857, and in company with John T. Baker and others bound for California, upon his oath as aforesaid deposition as follows:

 

I have lived in Carroll County, Arkansas for a number of years, and was living here in the month of April 1857, and was living in 1/4 of a mile of John T. Baker when the parties all left for California in April 1857. I now reside at the same place I did then, and within 1/4 of a mile of Mary Baker, the widow of John T. Baker. George W. Baker was the son of the same John T. Baker and Mary Baker, and I know that the said George W. left here about the same time of his father in April 1857. When George W. Baker left he was the owner in his own right, and had in his possession a considerable amount of cash and personal property, and had sold out his lands and was moving to California. He had a wife and four children when he left here. He was Guardian of Melissa Ann Beller and she was also in company with him and he had in his possession as Guardian of the said Melissa Ann Beller, the sum of seven hundred dollars in cash. I had paid him as Guardian that amount for the said Melissa Ann, and know he had that amount. I think Melissa Ann had a bed, bedding, wearing apparel, but of what value I cannot say. The amount of personal property within the possession of the said George W. Baker, and which he carried off with him as near as I can make the estimate from my knowledge, information,, recollection and belief was as follows, that is to say:

• 2 ox wagons chains, each worth at $125.00 $ 250.00

• Had in cash on hand about $ 500.00

• He had beds, bedding, wearing apparel for himself and family, provisions for himself and family, worth $ 500.00

• 3 young mares worth $100.00 each $ 300.00

• 1 rifle gun $ 25.00

• 1 double barrel shot gun $ 25.00

• 136 head of cattle (or about that number) (worth in this market @ 20.00 each) $ 2720.00 $ 4320.00

He had oxen, but how many he had, I do not know. Neither do I know their value. The other specified property is all I now remember with sufficient knowledge so as to give an accurate estimate of the amount and value. Baker had a good outfit, and his family was well provided for in the way of wearing apparel and provisions, and I have placed the estimate at a sum that I am satisfied is a low estimate of what said property was worth in this outfit. The cattle were a very good lot, and taking into consideration the demand for cattle at that time in this market, I think the estimate is strictly within the cash limits of the market price here. The estimate of the cash paid him as Guardian for Melissa Ann Beller, may have been paid out in the stock purchased. But of this I am not positive; if the whole amount was expended in buying cattle, then the amount of the annexed statement included the value of George W. Bakers property and Melissa Ann Beller's estate. If perhaps all of said estate of said Melissa Ann Beller was not expended here for stock, then the above estimate is below the real amount of the value of said property. I have no doubt but what the said George W. Baker, his wife, Melissa Ann, and all others in his family, except three children were murdered at the massacre of Mountain Meadows. Three of his children have been returned to this county, and now living within 1/4 mile of me at their grandmothers, Mary Baker. The oldest of the children were recognized by their friends and relations here, as soon as they returned and this fact convinces me that said Baker and family, except the children, were all murdered at, Mountain Meadows, and further this deponent saith not, so help me God.

 

Joseph B. Baines

 

Subscribed and sworn to before me this the 23rd day of October S.D., 1860

John Bunch, J.P.

State of Arkansas
SS
County of Carroll