The San Francisco call., 1896-03-06
Tohn A. Barker Was Distracted
by William Handell's
Persecution.
AND HAD FEARS FOR HIS LIFE.
Barker Surrenders to the Authorities,
Claiming Justification for
the Deed.

PASADENA, CAL, March 5.-John A.
Barker, living near the Arroyo Seco, in
the outskirts of Pasadena, shot and killed
William Handel of this place this morn
ing shortly before 10 o'clock.
There had been feud between the two
men for ten years. Handel had paid Mrs.
Barker some attention before she was
married and seemed possessed with the
jealous determination to break up her
family. He was vicious in all his meet
ings with Barker, and the latter has been
in fear of his life for years. Handel has
lately been thought insane, and several
months ago he so prosecuted Mrs. Barker
with his attentions that her husband was
obliged to interfere.
Handell had on several occasions threat
ened to shoot Barker, and if Mrs. Barker
had not come between the two men the
deed would have been committed last sum-
mer, when Handell drew revolver on two
occasions with the purpose of shooting his
enemy.
Barker had Handell arrested for threat
ening his life. HandelI was placed under
bonds to keep the peace, and being unable
to furnish the necessary security he was
committed to the county Jail for six
months. While serving this sen tence he
twice attempted to commit suicide. but
was discovered both times before he &C.
comptished the deed.
Last Saturday he completed his sentence
and on being released was at once arrested
on minor charge pending when sent to
jail. He was convicted Saturday and re-
turned to the Jail Sunday Yesterday he
IL 4
at once to the house of Barker, who had
heard nothing of Handelps escape from
jail.
This morning upon coming back to his
house about o'clock after a walk up the
canyon Barker found his wife and chill
dren crying. In answer to his questions
Mrs. Barker said that she had short time
before seen Handel pass the house and
she felt sure he was there to make trouble.
Mr.. and Mrs. Barker went out and looked
about to find him, and after a time the
former became cow inced from the tracks
that he was in the brush and watching for
him.
Barker then went to the house and got
his Winchester rifle, and returning up the
canyon he soon discovered Handel lying
in the brush where he could watch the
house, and believing that he was only
waiting for favorable opportunity to kill
him Barker became excited and fired
twice, with fatal effect. He then returned
to his home and went to town, delivering
himself up.
Barker walked to the city nom the
scene of the tragedy and was in quite an
exhausted condition when he arrived
To ot &c
constable and finding that efficer absent
from home he went to the City MarshaPs
office and surrendered himself to Officer
Buchanan, who at once placed him under
arrest and locked him up in the City Jeil.
Officers then started for the scene of the
tragedy, which occurred in the Arroyo
Seco, about seven miles northwest of Pasa-
dena.
A CALL representative called on Mr..
Barker shortly after his arrest, but he re-
fused to make any statements as to the
commission of the crime. He said he be-
lieved he was perfectly justified in what he
had done. That he had done all in his
power to avoid trouble with Handell, but
that he had dogged him SO persistently
that he could endure it no longer.
els Handel dead 2" was asked.
II have not consulted an attorney vet
and have no statement whatever to make"
said Barker.
The body of Handell was found at 8
P. NJ. lying in the brush on the canyon
side. He had been shot in the back, one
ball passing through the heart, the other
two inches below. Death was instantane-
Gus. The body was brought to Pasadena
and an inquest will be held Friday morn
ing. Barker was formerly employed as a
barber at the Hotel Green, but has been
ranching lately. Handel was a day la
borer and unmarried.