Charles Baine (Frenchy): Gardener, Geronimo Supplier, Murder-Suicide
Blane, was educated by the French government as a scientific farmer [2]. He was sent to French colonies near the Suez canal but failed there due to a lack of irrigation knowledge, then entered the French army [2]. He soon tired of army life and came to America [2]. About ten years before 1890, he arrived in Silver City [2]. He later turned up with Geronimo and supplied him with cartridges, nearly being captured and killed near the Mexican line during Geronimo’s raid [2]. Soon after, he got into trouble with the Mexican government for smuggling and spent about $15,000 to get out of the scrape [2]. He came to Hudson’s about two years before the tragedy and made the gardens a paradise, described as the most scientific gardener and horticulturist who ever came to that country [4]. Before the tragedy, he had spent some days in Silver City under mental stress, showed a pistol to friends, said he had an enemy he expected to kill, had considerable money, and was drinking heavily [3]. On Friday last, he left for El Paso in company with Lucy Croenne [3].
Sources
- Silver City Enterprise — 1888-1890 (full OCR, Internet Archive) — 1890-10-17 (1890)he startling information was flashed over the wires from El Paso to the Marshal of Silver City that Chas. Baine, better known as “Frenchy”, who had been the gardener at Hud- son’s for the past year, had k…
- The Sad Termination of Two Rash People (1890)The Sad Termination of Two Rash PeopleThe startling information was flashed over the wires from El Paso to the Marshal of Silver City that Chas. Baine, better known as “Frenchy”, who had been the gardener at …
- “Frenchy” had spent some days in this city… (1890)“Frenchy” had spent some days in this city before the tragedy and seemed to be under a mental stress. To several friends h^ showed a pistol and said he had an enemy whom he ex- pected to kill. He had consi…
- Silver City Enterprise — 1888-1890 (full OCR, Internet Archive) — 1890-10-17 (1890)came near being captured and killed near the Mexican line dur- ing Geronimo’s raid but managed to make his escape. Soon after this he got into trouble with the Mexican government for smuggling. At this time…