Talk:Cullen Baker

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This account of Cullen Baker seems afully one-sided for an encyclopedia entry. Although I am not a historian, I do know a good deal about the subject of Cullen Baker.

The author of this piece takes liberties with conclusions to Baker's intent and mindset. Although I would personally agree that no man in the ilk of outlaw and murderer should be considered a hero, history shows a quite different Cullen Baker than this author.

For Example: While it is true that Baker did kill many people, the where many unfortunate incidents that led to his behavior. As a poor child, he had gained a bad reputation as a youth for doing nothing more than defending himself against wealthy bullies. Later, after he had joined the Army, he was assigned to a trip to Texas; while there he became engaged in helping the indigent war widows in the area and over stayed his assigned leave; he was thus labled a deserter.

His most infamous crime, the killing of a black police officer in Texas, is said to have been provoked by the heavy-handedness of a drunken police officer.

His reputation as a "Robin Hood" came from an actual incident in which Baker did in fact learn of a theft of horses and recovered them from the thief. Baker then returned the stolen horses to their rightful owner.

Please remember that Baker's action were supported by many who felt that the Confederacy was just and that recontruction was not. It was a strong feeling during Baker's time.

No, I do not think that Baker was a hero, but the tone of the Baker entry is far from encyclopidiac. Let's not start calling men names and handing out lables. Let's simply provide the facts as we know them