LETTER FROM DWALE [FRANK M. BEVERLY, COR.] DWALE, VA., Jan. 15, 1897. Isaac Mullins, alias �Black Ike�, a notorious character, is on trial in court at Clintwood this week, charged with trying to burn the county jail last summer. It is said that the Commonwealth is making a very strong case against him, and it is quite probable that he will get a trip to the �pen�. His son, Paris, has just returned from serving a two-years� sentence there, for breaking into a storehouse and stealing goods. �Black Ike� is about forty-five years of age, and has always been in some trouble since he was large enough. There has not been a court held here fort he last fifteen years in which he did not have an indictment pending against him. THE DICKENSON HOMICIDE DWALE, DICKENSON COUNTY, VA., February 6 -(special)- There is a great deal of excitement over the killing of Robert Baker, at Clintwood, By William Farmer, as reported in this correspondence at the time of the occurrence. Nothing new seems to have developed in the case, except that it was a mistake as to Baker�s drawing his pistol, as he had none about his person at the time; though he had told Farmer some time before the trouble that he gad a pistol, and the latter doubtless thought he had as he ran his hand into his pocket as if he would draw one, at the same time making violent threats. There have been fears that an attempt would be made to lynch Farmer by Baker�s friends, as they seem to be enraged over the killing. Both men were very reckless and dissipated, and the occurrence was not at all any surprise. HOMICIDE IN DICKENSON KILLED IN A QUARREL OVER A GAME OF CARDS DWALE, VA., February 3 -(special)- Robert L. Baker, a lumberman of near this place, was shot and instantly killed at Clintwood, yesterday evening by William Farmer, a paint. The difficulty came up over a game of cards, in which the two had been engaged nearly all day in a law office. When the dispute arose between the contestants Baker told Farmer that he would kill him. The latter arose and started out, but was followed by Baker, who drew a pistol and began to flourish it in a manner that indicated violent intentions. Then Farmer drew his pistol and fired three shots, one taking effect in the head and one in the heart, and the other in the body. Baker fell and expired at once. I do not think that anyone but Mr. McFall was in the office at the time of the occurrence. As soon as the deed was done Farmer ran into the street and said that he had shot Baker, and wanted to put himself in charge of the Sheriff, and he was at once placed in jail. Baker was about 35 years of age. DICKENSON COUNTY DWALE, VA., March 13 -(special)- County Court is in session at Clintwood this week, having convened Monday, with Judge George L. Counts presiding. A special grand jury was empanelled, and found an indictment against William E. Farmer, who is charged with killing Robert Baker, as reported in the Dispatch some time ago. An effort will be made by Farmer�s friends at this term to secure bail for him. I hear that several well-to-do parties offer to go on his bond. DICKENSON TRIAL OF E. W. FARMER, NOW IN PROGRESS AT CLINTWOOD DWALE, DICKENSON CO., VA., April 17 -(special)- The trial of E. W. Farmer, who is charged with killing Robert Baker, is going on at Clintwood this week. The jury are all from the far side of the county, and are L. D. R. Owens, George Johnson, J. C. Sutherland, S. J. Tiller, Wm. J. Compton, J. F. duty, J. W. Robinson, George Wampler, Jacob Lambert, M. A. Buchanan, J. P. Sutherland, and Luke Pannel. The Commonwealth is represented by Wm. A. Ayers, of Lebanon, T. M. Alderson, of Wise, Wm. H. Werth, of Coeburn, and A. A. Skeen, of Clintwood the defense by F. H. Evans, of Grundy, J. S. Campbell, of Coeburn, W. R. Hughes, of Coeburn, and J. C. Smith of Clintwood. Some very damaging proof has been made against the defendant; but at this stage of the trial, it would be difficult to form any definite conclusion as to the probable result. The trial will probably last till sometime next week. ROBERT BAKER�S MURDERERS DWALE, DICKENSON CO., VA., April 21 -(special)- E. W. Farmer was convicted of the murder of Robert Baker, at this term of the County court, and sentenced to eighteen years confinement in the penitentiary. Eight of the jurymen were for hanging him, and for for sending him to the �pen�. A compromise was affected and the above verdict agreed upon. Farmer�s lawyers will ask the court to set aside the verdict of the jury, but it is thought that they will not succeed in this. Farmer came to Clintwood some two years ago, and has been engaged in painting. He is about thirty-five years old and has a wife and two small children. I hear that the relations of John H. Branham, who was killed while trying to arrest the Fleming outlaws will bring his remains here for final interment. One of the Flemings, Henan, will be brought to Wise in a few days, the other one having been killed. Doc. Swindall has been brought home, and is in a very serious condition from the effects of the wounds he received in the fight. There is no doubt that he commonwealth will make a case against Henan Fleming strong enough to convict. The murders which he helped to commit were among the most dastardly known to the history of crime. Annette Damron, Robert Beverly, Rachel & Louse Vanover Vore