USPS to Dedicate Lake City Post Office in Honor of Slain Postmaster

What:

Dedication of the Frazier. B. Baker Post Office

Who:

Family members of former Lake City Postmaster Frazier B. Baker
U.S. Congressman James E. Clyburn, U.S. House Majority Whip
USPS Greater South Carolina District Manager Darryl Martin

When:

Friday, Feb. 22, 2019 at 11 a.m.

Where:

Lake City United Methodist Church
229 W Main St.
Lake City, SC 29560-2427

Why:

The Lake City Post Office will be dedicated as the Postmaster Frazier B. Baker Post Office in a formal ceremony on Friday, Feb. 22, 2019. On Dec. 10, 2018, Rep. James E. Clyburn (SC-6) introduced a bill (H.R. 7230) to dedicate the Lake City Post Office in honor of Postmaster Baker. The bill was signed into Public Law 115-133 on Dec. 20, 2018.

Baker, a married, 40-year-old African-American schoolteacher and father of six children, who was appointed Lake City Postmaster in 1897 under President William McKinley. Local white residents objected and undertook a campaign to force his removal. When these efforts failed to dislodge Baker, a mob attacked him and his family the night of Feb. 22, 1898 in their home, which also served as the Post Office.

The mob set the house on fire to force the family out of the residence and fired gunshots at the Baker family as they attempted to escape. Baker and his infant daughter, Julia, died from gunshots. Baker’s wife, Lavinia, and three of his other five children were also shot, but managed to escape the burning house and mob.

Clyburn and Martin will unveil a portrait of the Baker’s family for permanent installation in the Frazier B. Baker Post Office.

The ceremony is free and open to the public.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

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