The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-02-22
The Scene of the Tragedy "Down in
the Neck"-Who and What
the Actors Were.
ETC., Etc, Etc, ETC., Etc., Etc.


inquest on the body of George Eller, who was 1
shot the previous morning in the Quarter Ses-
Thomas Leis, was placed in charge of Officer
LazaleTe, of the Reserve force, and by him con-
Just as the officeT left the m prison to return to
the city, he encountered woman, who was
running with breathless haste and screaming
murder at the top Of her voice. From her
the officer learned that about half-past O'Clock
in the afternoon, man named William john
son had been shot and instantly killed by one
Thomas Barker. the tragedy being enacted
about mile below the prison. officer Lazalere
hastened TO the spot. secured double-barrelled
shotgun with which the crime had been COM
mitted, one barrel remaining undscharged;
and being told that Barker the guilty party,
returned at once to the city to give the alarm,
bringing the weapon with him.
On hearing of the occurrence, Chief Ruggles
and High Constable Clark. accompanied by two
other officers, hastened to the scene OF the
fugitive, so that his capture might be speedy
The house in which the murder was commit
ted is double frame dwelling, two-stories and
q half in height, and of the general character
of the small country residences which are
scattered about 1.-THE Neck" 1t is situated
between Ninth street and Moyamensing ave-
nue.. about four hundred yards east of Ninth,
and the same distance southeast OF the gas
ometer of the First Ward. with the eXcep-
ton of q row of dwellings on Ninth street,
and some tenements on small street
running west from Ninth, there are no
buildings in the imm Mediate neighborhood. The
premises are owned by Barker, who resided in
the northern portion, another family occupying
the other part With Barker lived a woman
who passed for his wife, but there is some doubt
about their true relationship, the woman
sometimes passes under the name of Powell.
Barker was for some years engaged in the bone
boiling business, acquiring considerable pro-
perty In 1868 he is said TO have Joined the
army as q private, but deserted after serving
three or four months, and for q long time eluded
the detectives, He was captured and restored
TO his regiment, however, but again returned
home, whether as n deserter or with an honor
able discharge is not known.
Since Christmas last, William Johnson, the
murdered man, has been an Inmate of Bar
ker's house for the greater part OF the time, in
the character OF loaier rather tnan Lnat oi a
ing the war, but since his discharge has been
engaged in no legitimate business: Barker is
believed to have been single man, was about
These three persons, who were the only occu-
pants of the house, have enjoyed very un-
savory reputation in the neighborhood, and
their looks do not belle their reputation. They
are all described as a low.lived, drunken, and
quarrelsome set in general. Between Johnson
and Mrs. Barker there had been a standing
feud, and when, a short time since, the latter
was committed to the County Prison for drunk
enness % 9hd $ on ~ me o eom Sa1e
been done at Johnson's instigation.
Yesterday morning about 9 o'clock, the two
men started out, and calling at the Office of
Alderman Lutz, procured the discharge of Mrs.
Barker from the County Prison. II appears
that they were perfectly sober at this time.
They continued prowling about the lower part
OF the CITY, stopping every now and then 70 @ ge.
q drink, unJll Jney DOth became drunk. near
the County Prison, Barker is said to have
stopped at the house of q friend, with whom he
had placed two hundred dollars for safe
of twenty dollars. Johnson was still with him,
and they subsequently stopped at a gunsmiths
on South street, where Barker obtained
double barrelled gun, which had been left there
for repairs With this weapon he and Johnson
were intending to go shooting after musk
rats. Barker afterwards purchased q pair
of chickens and a quantity of apples and with
these they started for the house, dropping some
a crowd of small boys by the frantic efforts
which they made in their drunken condition to
shortly after l o'clock they reached
Barker's house on their return. The chickens
were placed in Mrs. Barkers hands ana she
was told by her husband TO prepare them
good dinner While busted about this, she had
occasion to go up stairs. Her husband soon
followed her, bringing the gun with him. and
Mrs. Barker remarked to her husband that
she was tired of having Johnson in the house,
1t seems that Barker claims that Johnson
owed him $3.50, which was stolen according to
another. A pistol also figured IN their dis
pute. In response to Mrs. Barker's remarks
house. Barker Sc II he was determined to have
the money which Johnson owed him. This
was said in q threatening manner, and, taken
in connection with the loaded gum greatly ex-
cited Mrs. Barker who has q mortal terror of
guns under all circumstances. She therefore
seized both man and gun, eXclaimlng, For
Gods sake, don't do anything rash ~
Barker rudely pushed the woman aside and
rushed down stairs eXclaiming:-"pn have my
money or I'LL warm him.
When Barker reached the lower floor. Mrs.
Barker heard him say to Johnson;-"Give me
that money or pll warm you;p TO which John.
son replied:-"Shoot, you son ofa-, shoot!'
Immediately afterwards Mrs Barker heard
the report of the gun, 1t was also heard by a
young girl living IN the adjoining house. The
doors of the two houses were next to each
wards. This girl rushed into Barkers house as
soon as she heard the report, and was just in
time to catch Johnsons head in her arms as he
fell. The charge had entered the pit of the
stomach, resulting in almost instant death. The
girl placed the body in an upright position on a
settee near the door, and as it gradually cooled
and stiffened IL remained in this position until
viewed by the Coroner some hours afterwards ID
| When the girl entered from the next house.
| Barker was still standing near with his gun in
| his hand. On hearing the report, Mrs Barker
called down stairs 70 Barker, saying Tom,
not knowing that his Victim was even
| Mrs. Baker came down stairs and SEEING
/ the horrible position of affairs, she turned
| to her husband and advised him to give him
self up to the authorities at once This he prom
| ised to do, and left the house. He soon en-
| cCuntered Constable Slook, of the First Ward
| to whom he confessed his crime, and by whom
| he was taken before Alderman Bonsall The
| latter committed him to prison to await the
| result OF the Coroner's Investigation
Constable Slook then returned to the scene of
| the tragedy. accompanied by two officers of the
First Ward, and took possession of the premises
/ and body. -
'Afairs were thus situated when High Con
stable Clark arrived. Inquiry into the facts
| were made, and Mrs. Barker was taken into
custody and lodged in the County Prison as
an and WiVnvss, Later In the day the
| mortem examination of the body was made.
1 DR.. Shapleigh found that the charge had entered
and then through the left lobe OF the liver into
I and through the stomach. The Coroner's In