Olney Man, 74, Slays Veteran, Wounds Himself

Robert Joseph Baker, Jr., 22-year-old Olney printer, was killed instantly this morning, October 2, 1946, by a bullet which pierced his brain. Leonidas White, 74, an old-age pensioner, charged with murder in a complaint filed by State’s Attorney, R. S. Roland, was in critical condition tonight with his skull fractured by a bullet which Roland said was self-inflicted.

The two men were found in the yard of White’s home here following the shooting at 8 a.m., their bodies 10 feet apart. Baker was shot from the rear.

Discharged from the Navy six months ago, Baker lived with his mother, Mrs. Sara Baker at the White residence. Chief of Police, Ernest Blackford said that White told him that he killed Baker because of fear that the youth would tell on him for stealing chickens. Blackford said White then denied any thefts.

A verdict of “death from gunshot wounds inflicted by Leonidas White” was returned at an inquest this afternoon conducted by Coroner, John Travis, and jurors recommended White be held for grand jury action.

The old-age-pensioner remained in a critical condition tonight in the Summers Clinic here, following an operation to remove the bullet from his head.

Surviving Baker are his mother and his father, Robert J. Baker, Sr. of Chicago.

The body was taken to the Olney funeral home. Services conducted in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church here. Burial will be at Odell, Illinois.

Mr. Leonidas White died October 6, 1946 at Summers Clinic.

Published in The Decatur Daily Review (Decatur, IL) – Thursday, October 3, 1946