The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-28
FRESNO'S MYSTERY
GROWING APACE
Hints That John Barker
Was the Victim of
a Murderer.
Was Found Dying From Poison
Som After the Lehman
Shooting.
An Acquaintance Intimates That He
Lost His Life Because He
Knew Too Much.

sidered by those engaged n investigating
the mystery surrounding the attempted
murder of Solomon Lehman last summer.
John Barker is the man whom, Detective
John Harrison claims, Charles A. Schwei-
ger, the harness-dealer, hired to kill Leh-
mann in order to secure the $1,000 life in
surance. 1t was Barker who made dam
aging statements 10 Samuel Raston,
Mariposa-street saloon-keeper. He was
suspected from the first OF the attempted
assassination, and Lehman was positive
it was he whom he passed on Blackstone
avenue that night, TO be shot at a moment
later.
Several weeks after the shooting Barker
was found dead one morning at the SAKE
ranch, east of town. An autopsy was held
and II was ascertained that he had died
from laudanum poisoning. He had been
brought to the ranch from town the night
before by friend. He was then in deep
stupor but the friend thought he was
only intoxicated. The Coroners Jury
came to the conclusion without much
further debate that is was q case of suicide.
Now, since Barker's connection with the
Lehmann-Schweize affair, his death is
being looked upon in different light.
By some it is believed that Barker will
fully took his own life, and that he was
led to the act because of his attempt to
kill Lehman. 1t is believed that the
thought of what he had done proved upon
his mind so much that it became unbear-
able, and he resolved to end his own
existence.
There are several reasons for believing
that Barker took the laudanum on this
account. There are good grounds to
believe that it was he who fired the shots
at the sawmill owner. His statement to
Samuel Ralson is almost conclusive evil
dence. Besides this, lehman iden tified
him to a fairly certain degree as the
would-be slayer. a few days afler the
shooting, Lehman saw Barker on the
street in this city and excitedly exclaimed
to friend:
That's the man who did the shooting
That's the hat, the shirt and pants the
fellow wore!"
Lehman was so sure that it was Barker
who had attempted to kill him that he
wanted to swear out a warrant for his
arrest Immediately; but ne was counseled
not to do this. Lehman and Barker had
thing for Lehman, and Barker was not
the only enemy he had but it seems that
the feeling between these TWO was very
bitter. 1t would not have been a difficult
mat ter to have hired Barker 20 injure the
mill owner.
Afer the shooting, however, there was
a sudden change in Barker's actions to-
ward Lehman. He showed all manner
of friendship to his former enemy and
could not 10 enough for him. His desire
to show the milIman favors almost bor-
dered on the ridiculous. Lehman says
that for several days before Barker was
found dead be acted very strangely. He
appeared to want to tell Lehman some
thing, but was afraid to do so. He would
try to be in very confidential mood and
then would suddenly change. He never
admitted anything however. Before the
attempt to murder Lehmann was made
Barker drank very little, but afterwards
he took to drinking very hard, and when
taken home by friend the last night
he was alive it was supposed that he was
only on one of his frequent sprees.
What motive Barker could have for
committing suicide could never be learned.
He was a young man in good health with
no known cares to bear upon him. He
had usually been in good spirits and his
friends and relatives were at a loss to
account for his act. but in the light of
these + cent events it seems as if the mo-
tive might have been learned.
Ed Bouchard casts q grim Suspicion on
Barker's death. Bouchard was one of the
first whom the officers thought might
have tried to kill Lehman. He was
pltced under arrest, but no evidence could
be secured against him. HI had had diff
culties with The mill-owner and was an in
innate friend Of John Barker. Bouchard
says that he GOES nor believe that Barker
committed suicide. He does not believe
that the man ever took poison of his own
knowledge or intent. Bouchard's state
ments cannot be accounted for much,
however, and it would not seem probable
that murder was committed becau.e
Barker knew too much.
A CALL correspondent ascertained to-
day that Schweizer has known for some
time that he was suspected of having
hired Barker to shoot Lehman. Len
mann went to him a few days after the
attempt was made, and as much as told
him that he (Lehmann) believed him to
be connected with The conspiracy. Sheriff
Scott also had an interview with the har-
ness dealer. in which the latter was ap-
prised of the reports that he had hired
Barker to commit the deed. Strangely
enough little Carolina Lehman, who re-
ceived the second charge from the gun,
which was intended for her father, said
while in a deIirous condition the day after
the shooting that she recognized Charles
Sehweizer as the man whom they met in
Blackstone avenue that terrible night.
schweizer still maintains the air of all
innocent man, and public sympathy is
with him, yet it cannot be denied that
there are some features of the case which
present themselves in a manner very dis
agreeable to him.