Sheriff Bill Baker - Lemhi County Idaho - Elmer Keith Connection (Update in post #39)

[THREEDFLYER]

**NOTE: See post #6 for a link to the full Sheriff Baker story - ENJOY**

***I wanted to say a very special "THANK YOU" to my long time dear friend and hunting partner Dwight Williamson for telling me about his time living in Salmon back in the 1940's with his family....and for taking the time to travel with me to Salmon several years ago to introduce me to Bill's son Bob and telling me about his time in Salmon as a young boy. You can do a search for Elmer Keith and find my other threads regarding Elmer***

For those who may be interested - This is a photo of the S&W .44 S&W Special that Sheriff Bill Baker carried. Baker resided at the courthouse in Salmon Idaho and was in office from 1957 to his retirement in 1989.

Of course this was the time that old Elmer lived in Salmon and Bill and Elmer were well aquainted.

Not sure if Elmer had something to do with the Sheriff acquiring the .44 but I have a hunch he could have.

One story I was told by Bill's son was the time that a neighbor of Elmer's called the Sheriff complaining that Elmer was going to shoot their dog if it crapped on his yard again. The Sheriff told the neighbor that no crime had been committed but that she should keep the dog out of Elmer's yard because Elmer does what he says he will do.


A few day's later the woman called and told the Sheriff that Elmer had shot the dog......and she demanded something be done immediately.

The Sheriff drove over and spoke to Elmer in the front yard with the neighbor looking on from her yard. He handed Elmer a citation and said...."I know your not going to pay this fine.....but I had to at least show her that I was citing you for shooting her dog."

Sheriff Bill Baker passed away after a battle with cancer in 1995 and is buried on the family ranch south of Salmon.

 

[S&W ucla]

Neat story and pics! IIRC, Elmer wrote in "Sixguns" about riding on patrol with the Sheriff's Dept in Salmon. Of course, he recommended the 44spl at that time.

 

[codenamedave]

Cool info and pics, thanks for posting, So would that be a pre-27, or just a .357 Magnum, or what?

Also wondering what was up with the wrecker in the fifth pic, maybe the Chevy prowler was broke down.

The Sheriff drove over and spoke to Elmer in the front yard with the neighbor looking on from her yard. He handed Elmer a citation and said...."I know your not going to pay this fine.....but I had to at least show her that I was citing you for shooting her dog."

Sounds like the difference between a Peace Officer and a Law Enforcement Officer. I've never lived in a real rural area, but I've heard that folks don't take well to loose dogs running around on their property in general, and they're likely to get SSS'd.

 

[Watchdog]

Do you own the gun now? If so, may we see some more photos of it, and maybe get some details about what it is, when it was manufactured, etc.?

Even if you don't own the gun, yourself, do you know any other details about it?

 

[THREEDFLYER]

The revolver remains in the collection of the Baker family.
Through my hunting partner who was a very close friend of the Sheriff I have become friends with Bill's two sons and have had the pleasure to visit the family ranch up on the hills above the Salmon River.

I wil be heading up to Salmon the last 10 days of September for my annual archery elk hunt and will see if I can more information or maybe get to handle the revolver in person.

 

[THREEDFLYER]

"Last of the Great Western Lawmen"

I have attached the full story of Bill Baker for you to enjoy, as written by Bill's grand daughter while still in school several years back. It will explain the photo of Bill next to his patrolcar and the wrecker.

 

[Texas Star]

The gun on his tombstone is a Model 19 or Model 66, or a pre-19 Combat Magnum. Maybe he owned one of those, too.

The real gun seen here, if a .357, has the postwar hammer and smooth rosewood target stocks and a target trigger.

However, it could well be a M-1950 .44 Target. As the sheriff was a pal of Elmer's, that could well be the answer. I'm curious. It'd be interesting to know what abraded the sideplate.

Note the screw at top of sideplate. Probably a pre-Model no. something. 24, or a 27 or 28. Four-inch barrel. My crystal ball needs new batteries; that's the best I can do today.

Why didn't the sheriff cite Elmer's neighbor for allowing a dog free, if they had a leash law, the dog for littering in an unsanitary manner and criminal trespass, and Elmer for firing a gun in town? That should cover all the bases. And show the voters that the sheriff was impartial.

 

[6518John]

I have attached the full story of Bill Baker for you to enjoy, as written by Bill's grand daughter while still in school several years back. It will explain the photo of Bill next to his patrolcar and the wrecker.

GREAT ARTICLE! Very interesting.

 

[THREEDFLYER]

Notice how Bill's hat is always tilted down on the right side? That's just the way he liked to wear it according to his son.

Bill was a tall guy, around 6'-4" or so hence the inscription "THE TALL MAN" on his head stone.

Although Sheriff Bill Baker identified as a Democrat, these were different times and that label did not put you in the far left.

 

[jpage]

Is that a Chevy Impala ?

 

[THREEDFLYER]

Someone above mentioned a Chevy Prowler

 

[Muley Gil]

Someone above mentioned a Chevy Prowler

Prowler is another nickname for a patrol car, kinda like a police cruiser.

 

[kthom]

Bill Baker sounds like a man I would have enjoyed knowing and working with! I understand and appreciate the "presence" that was attributed to him. That's a very real thing, and no doubt served him well.

 

[THREEDFLYER]

The S&W Elmer gave to Sheriff Baker

Reading through the story of Bill Baker that I posted in the section PISTOL RANGE DEDICATION you will see that Bill was shooting his 1954 Smith and Wesson .44 Special with quick draw sight that was given to him by Elmer Keith.

My guess is that there would be no record of Elmer ordering this revolver directly from S&W, but I suppose it's possible.

I may be able to get some photos of the revolver when I am in Salmon in Sept visiting with the Baker's.

 

[S&W ucla]

1954 Smith and Wesson .44 Special with quick draw sight.....My guess is that there would be no record of Elmer ordering this revolver directly from S&W, but I suppose it's possible.

Elmer's first 44spl 4" 1950 Target was shipped directly to him from S&W in April 1951. Another was shipped directly to him in 1955 IIRC. Both guns had his name engraved on sideplate and were sold at his estate auction several years ago. Other guns are known to have been shipped to him by S&W. A factory letter request would likely be the only way to know.

 

[THREEDFLYER]

Will be heading north to Salmon in a week or so and will try to get some photos and additional information regarding the S&W given to Bill Baker by Elmer Keith.

 

[Jack Flash]

The revolver looks like a 4" N-Frame. I am wondering if it's a Highway Patrolman.

 

[Jtown]

Great thread, very interesting. Thanks
Walt

 

[Muley Gil]

Ah, back in the days when Dems could be conservative and pro gun.

 

[clarkg1124]

Is that a Chevy Impala ?

If the sheriff was as frugal as described,the Chevy is most likely a Biscayne.It was a few trim levels below an Impala,and somewhat lower priced.Our local PD had several of them,back in the day,before switching to Plymouths in 1968.
Clark