from the January 6, 1916 DOTHAN HOME JOURNAL

 

JOE BAKER 

If there is any one man who deserves especial mention in connection with the Greater Dothan movement or "The History of Dothan in the Making," that man is most assuredly Joe Baker, or "Buck" Baker as he is familiarly known. He is "in" for anything that means a Greater Dothan as he sees it, and he is not hard to show a good business proposition. He is shrewd, economical and sagacious and has never allowed his name to be connected with any proposition that was a failure, and has always banked on Dothan first, last and all the time. He is one of the biggest, if not the biggest property owner in Dothan and is vitally interested in the city's onward march to bigger achievements. Yet, it cannot be charged that he is selfish in this interest.

He is one of the strongest advocates of municipal ownership in the city and during his administration of the city's affairs has launched the city into some of the best paying enterprises known to city life and that too, realizing that he could more easily have launched them for himself, and whatever associates he might have chosen, just as readily. Buck Baker was born and raised In Old Henry county near what is known as Tolbert church, coming to Dothan something like twenty-six years ago. He first engaged in the mercantile business for a few years buying up a lot here and there as the city grew and building a hotel on it. Material was considerable cheaper then than now, and looking back and seeing how he invested his savings, one would think that Buck knew then just what was going to happen, and perhaps he did. He has always and still has the greatest confidence in Dothan, for he continues to invest in Dothan and every house he builds is a little better than the others.

As time rolled on Buck drifted into politics, not so much as a matter of choice as a matter of looking after and protecting the interest of the city in which he was investing his savings. He was first elected councilman, then he became better acquainted, liked the honor, and concluded he would try to be mayor. He made a successful race and has made

a successful official being reelected every time he asked for it. In the capacity of Mayor, Buck Baker was at his best, and it would be hard to find a man who has taken greater pride in his office or struggled harder to make a success, guarding with much greater care his conduct as an official than that of a citizen, individual or business man. You may say what you please about him as a man or a private citizen, and, maybe get away with it, but, as an official, Buck Baker has done his best, has fought a good fight and can and will defend his administration. He has been fearless in the discharge of his duties speaking out at all times on questions of public nature and standing for his convictions and his friends.

Backed by a council in sympathy with his policies, he has made a. record which will be a monument to him in years to come. One of his first acts was systemize the city's affairs so that each department would stand on its own merits. At the time he went into office the city's affairs were in a deplorable condition. Today it is thoroughly systemized and conducted along successful business lines and every department properly manned.

The boast of Dothan, the assets in municipal plants which go so far towards making the creditable showing in this edition for the most part were pushed to realities under the financial management of Buck Baker.