Preamble to Mathematical Frequency

Alhambra, California
October 10, 1967

To my Children and Grandchildren:

As most of you know, I have spent most of my time during the last thirty years in mathematical research; experimenting, developing and testing a practical Mathematical Frequency Formula. I had hoped that at the completion of this work last year that I would have the opportunity to demonstrate in a material way the value of this Formula in order that I might leave with you something in the nature of an achievement or accomplishment which would account for all of my working years. This hope, however, seems at this time impossible of fulfillment.

Although I have made quite a number of contributions to my fellowmen through the fire service, none have been attributed to me. All the designing and inventing of better fire equipment, the discovery and development of better fire control methods, and the improvement in organization, administration and training in the fire service were all freely passed on to others during fifteen years of teaching with the result that today there is no material evidence that I ever made any contribution or accomplished anything in this field.

I feel that the accomplishment in Mathematical Frequency is by far the greater achievement. But again, there is no material evidence of this. I have written some notes on the principle of Mathematical Frequency, a copy of which is enclosed, with the thought that if I am unable to demonstrate the value of this achievement to others during my lifetime, and when in the future someone else discovers and demonstrates the value of this principle, then you will know that at least I was the first to discover and use this universal principle.

You will note the Formula itself is not discussed. That I am not giving away. It is the only symbol of material achievement and success I possess, and will remain in my keeping even if it is never used again. I have had great satisfaction in the development of this valuable Formula.

With love and best wishes,

J. F. Baker

(Next week, the thesis.)

Excerpts From A Letter

FOLLOWING ARE EXCERPTS FROM A LETTER FROM DAD, date May 21, 1981

The enclosed is all that's left of the "Magic Bell" program. [He refers to the playbill from a play in which he acted. On the back of which was the remnants of a page from a telephone directory and glued to that was a picture.] Save the picture for me. I want to keep it. This location is about 100 yards downstream from Chief Harthegap's [spelling?] Cave. The year? After much thought, it's still 1908 or 1909, as I said. I favor 1909, but not sure. The check marks indicate the kids I remember. I have no recollection of the others. AW! Time! There is no relationship between the group in the picture and the "Magic Bell."

...[further in the same letter, Dad talks about plans for the 1981 Family Reunion.] It was unnecessary to explain the Gift Exchange idea. I understood from the start, and I never will like it. (I enjoy my new-found freedom to express myself.) This is not as criticism of you or your plans or efforts. It is such a far cry from the true Christmas Spirit because it is a contrived plan of gift giving. It shows the state our "civilization" has brought us to. We continue to plan and make practically everything to conform to our "life-style" forgetting [that] everything is Spiritual. To say, "I don't like it" doesn't mean I won't cooperate or that the plan is rejected. So it don't [sic] have to be explained. You and the others are not to blame for this situation, it's a result of "progress," "civilization," "life style," etc.

The gifts I have to bring to the family Christmas cannot be bought in a store for any amount of money. Moreover, I cannot express my feelings in words. I doubt very much that anyone living in this plane could express the way I feel toward the family at Christmas.

[note: Dad kept some of his memorabilia pasted into an old telephone directory.]

Viewing Halley's Comet - 1910

John F Baker, 1911

I was born the year after Columbus discovered America, give or take a few centuries. Anyway, I was 16 years old, when I first saw Halley's Comet. The second time will be a little later.

I was living with my parents in a small town in Mercer County; amid the low hills of western Pennsylvania. We had been hearing rumors about a thing called a "comet." Rumors—that's all we ever got—no TV, no radio; no telephone, no newspapers, nothing, but rumors. In school, we learned only what was in the book. The teacher had three grades to teach in one room. There wasn't time for current events, social studies, or "What's new?"

Anyway, rumors had it that if we looked south-west, some evening after sunset, we could see this thing called Halley's Comet. I looked and looked for a couple evening, and saw nothing. Then I decided that maybe some of the low hills were between me and the Comet. As there were a number of large maple trees in the yard, I climbed one, and there it was: Halley's Comet! The most beautiful natural curve in the world.

I have seen many beautiful natural curves since that time, but none so beautiful as the tail of Halley's Comet. The nose of the Comet was a solid ball of fire, followed by that beautiful curved tail containing huge quantities of glowing, sparkling, flickering particles, much like the sparks that follow the ascent of a rocket on the Fourth of July.

I was so impressed by the beauty of the Comet that I exclaimed aloud: "I wish I could see it again." Much to my surprise, a voice out of the trunk of the maple tree said: "You will." And, here I am, ready to see this same Comet again.

I have located a high ridge in the center of Calaveras County, Calif., with an unobstructed view south-east, south, and west. Just let me know the best date.

Respectfully,

J. F. Baker
St. Rt. 7534 Pine Ridge Ln.
Mountain Ranch, CA 95246

P.S. - If any of the above does not comply with your requirements or expectations, feel free to delete it; nevertheless, all statements are based on fact.

n.b.: Dad wrote this letter as an entry to some contest just prior to the 1986 viewing of Halley's Comet.

Vocation Game

This list was prepared for a game at the Baker Family Reunion 1981. There are three items on this list that Grandpa did not perform. Answers are crossed out.

* * *

FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS,

PROFESSIONS, VOCATIONS, AVOCATIONS AND

HOBBIES OF J. F. BAKER

CHECK ONLY THOSE WHICH HE HAS NOT HAD EXPERIENCE OR DONE

John Baker's beehives, c. 1920s

Actor
Apprentice Railroad Telegrapher
Assistant Chief, Los Angeles County Fire Department
Assistant Fire Chief, Industrial Fire Department
Author
Bakery delivery man, horse drawn wagon
Basketball Coach, public schools
Battalion Chief, Los Angeles County Fire Department
Beekeeper
Blacksmith
Bookkeeper
Bugler
Butter Churn Operator
Butter Cube Bouncer
Butter Cutter
Butter Wrapper
California State Fire Warden
Camper
Captain, Los Angeles County Forestry
Carriage Setter, sawmill
Citrus Press Operator
Cook
Cornet Player
Corporal, California Home Guard
Cut-off Saw Operator
Dancer, clog and soft shoe
Delivery boy, mill supply
Delivery man, feed and fuel with team of mules
Department store Santa Claus
Deputy Fire Warden, Los Angeles County
Die-cast Machine Operator
Director, Energy Control Center, War Activity at North American Aviation
Director, University of Fire Engineering
Dispatcher, Los Angeles County Forestry District
Drill-press Operator
Family Relations Advisor
Farm Boy
Farmer, handling horses and stock, cultivating, harvesting and thrashing crops
Fire Guard, U. S. Forestry Service
Fire Instructor Plant Protection, North American Aviation
Fire Insurance Rate Surveyor
Fireman, City of Los Angeles
Fireman, Industrial Fire Department
Fire Protection Surveyor, Contra Costra and Los Angeles Counties
First Lieutenant, California Home Guard
Fisherman
Foreman, Citrus Ranch
Foreman, Drill Press Section
Gardener
Grocery deliveryman, automobile
Grocery deliveryman, horse-drawn wagon
Grocery store clerk
Heavy drill-press operator
Housekeeper, does windows
Hydraulic engineer
Instructor, Fire Training, State of California
Instructor of Inspectors, Pacific Fire Rating Bureau
Instructor, Los Angeles City Fire College
Instructor, University of Fire Engineering
Invoice clerk
Irrigator
Laboratory assistant, flour mill
Laundry man
Locksmith
Long distance runner
Lumber machine operator
Lumber scaler
Hall clerk
Manure hauler, horse-drawn wagon
Member, Federal Grand Jury
Metal polisher
Metaphysician
Milker
Mountain Man
Moving van driver, auto
Moving van driver, horse-drawn
Naturalist
Off-bearer, planing mill
Office Boy, mill supply company
Office Boy, floor mill
Office Manager, Taste-Rite Foods
Operator, Pari-Mutual Wagering System
Pack-train driver
Pennsylvania cowboy
Pilatelist
Pianist
Pipe organ pumper
Plant Protection Instructor
Practitioner of Sequential Frequency Formula
Private, California Home Guard
Relief Drive, horse-drawn fire wagon
Sash machine operator
Sash shaper
Sergeant, California Home Guard
Sprinkler systems inspector
Stock cierk
Student (as an adult), Polytechnical High School (1932 graduate)
Student, Frank Wiggins Trade School
Student, University of California at Los Angeles
Superintendent, citrus ranch
Tentmaker
Theater host
Theater inspector
Tour guide
Tractor driver
Trial Juror, Municipal Court
Trial Juror, Superior Court
Umpire, semi-pro baseball
University President
Violinist
Window sash nailer
Woodworking machine operator
Worm farmer

Smoke Signals 1986

SMOKE SIGNALS

from

Little Buck

A register containing the names and birth dates of every member of the John F. and Helen H. Baker family, their offspring and spouses, to and including the fifth generation (as of 1986) has been organized and will be maintained by John F. Baker.

During her lifetime, Helen H. Baker made special and extra effort, to the limit of her resources, to remember the birth dates of her family and friends with gifts of Love.

It is the desire and intention of John F. Baker to continue this family tradition by mailing checks to each family member and their spouses on their birth dates.

~B~ John F. Baker

Smoke Signals 1985

SMOKE SIGNALS

from

Little Buck's Teepee

Eating ShooFly pie, 1981

'Tis Christmas time, and the Forest Folk
Are expecting Santa to fill their poke
With fruits and nuts and mistletoe,
And seeds and plants and things that grow.

Our Forest Friends don't like toys
That flip or flop and make a noise.
Their great joy is things to eat,
Like grass that grows on hillside steep.

Deer like acorns and apples, too.
Squirrels like nuts, and hide a few.
Rabbits like grass and plants that thrive.
Birds like seeds and worms alive.

Nature's abundance is always ample.
For Forest Friends to use and sample.
So, all of us have a reason.
To wish all of you a Happy Season.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all the Tribes.

I love you all

Little Buck ~B~ (his mark)
J. F. Baker 1985

n.b. This was Dad's Christmas Greeting which was embellished with Dorothy's art work.

Smoke Signals 1984

SMOKE SIGNALS

From Mountain Ranch

December 1984 Christmas Greetings

Chief Little Buck is now sleeping in a brand new TEEPEE;

at the end of a road;
 among pines, cedars, and oaks;
 under lots of stars (no smog);
 where many deer browse near-by.

Chief Little Buck is so happy here -
 Chief Little Buck feels like a kid that was
 kicked out of school and don't have to go back!

Lots of rain falls here;
 green grass grows fast;
 rainbows are visible from hill-top to hill-top.

Chief Little Buck goes foot-slogging into the woods
 everyday, counting trees;
 exploring old mule-pack train trails.

Chief Little Buck is very happy!

Little Buck sez:
 MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR
  with LOVE to ALL!

n.b. This was Dad's Christmas Greetings which Dorothy helped by drawing a picture of the things about which he wrote.