The herald., 1896-03-06
Late and Reliable Information
Regarding the Victim
THE WOMAN In THE CASE
Was an Old Acquaintance Of the Es.
capped Jail Inmate
Questionable Relations Almost Fully Estab-
lished-Barker's Position Certainly
Not an Honorable One

In the correspondence from Pasadena,
published in another part of this issue,
will be found full account of the killing
of William Hendel, who only day or two
ago escaped from the county jail, by one
j. A. Barker. Additional information re-
garding the victim of Barker's aim has
been found in this city and is here given:
William Hendel had known Mrs. Barker
for some years, and to his too intimate re-
lations with her he probably owes his
death. From party who knows the tam
gled relations of the different actors in the
tragedy the following was obtained:
Hendel was an old flame of the lady's
and knew her in her eastern home. At tone
time it was understood he was engaged to
be married to her, bur came west and the
engagement thus was broken. For over
twelve years Hendel had not seen or heard
of his lady love, when one day he unex-
pectedly met her.
He was working for doctor and was
directed to go to the depot with the car
riage and meet some expected guests. On
the arrival of the train Barker and his wife
alighted. The recognition between the
long separated lovers was mutual and
greetings we're exchanged. Mrs. Barker
introduced Hendel to her husband and the
former invited them to ride in his buggy
toward their destination. On the home
ward way the actions of Mrs. Barker and
Hendel became offensive to the husband
and he finally ordered his wife to leave the
buggy, which she did. He rode on way
with Hendel, but finally rejoined his wife.
The acquaintance between the two lovers
was renewed with the result that their re-
lations soon became common talk.
One Saturday evening Hendel received a
note from Mrs. Barker, stating that her
husband would be away and for Hendel to
come that night. He went, taking with
him Jug of wine to keep up their spirits.
Along after midnight Barker unexpectedly
returned and his wife heard him at the
door. Hendel hurriedly made his escape,
but something in the lady's actions put
Barker on his guard and he watched her
carefully.
After satisfying himself that criminal re-
lations were sustained between his wife
and Hendel, he made preparations for a
divorce. To this end he charged his wife
with infidelity and had an affidavit drawn.
to which she affixed her name, and in
which she made full confession of her rela-
tions with Hendel. The proceedings were
later abandoned and Barker condoned the
offense and continued to live with her as
her husband.
Then came the affray for which Hendel
served six months term in the county
Jail. He and Barker met and threats were
exchanged. Hendel pulled gun, nd for
this was convicted of threats to shoot and
kill, and on August 10, 1895, was booked
at the county Jail for a six months sem
tence. He was released only a few days
ago, and was Immediately tried before
Justice Rossiter in Pasadena on a charge
O: petty larceny for selling some
furniture that was in house that he had
charge of. While on trial he claimed that
Barker had come to him and demanded
money. He had but a few dollars, and told
the latter SO. Barker then proposed that
| he sell the furniture and give him the pro-
! ceeds. At first he refused, but upon Bar
| ker further threatening to shoot him, he
acquiesced and disposed of the articles for
500. He got this amount in two INSTALL
ments, one of $l2 and one of So, both of
which amounts he turned over to Barker.
He also claimed that the latter was endeav-
oring by means of threats against his life
to secure some $40 which was due him for
services from a man for whom he had
worked. Hendel was man of somewhat
feeble mind, and never carried a
weapon of any sort. He had spent a term
in an insane asylum, and never seemed
exactly right. When returned to the county
jail for a sixty-day term for the larceny. of
the furniture he was given his old position
as trtfsty, advantage of which was taken
at the first opportunity to make his escape.
He returned to his former haunts, only to
meet his death as above stated.
j. A. Barker is man some 10 years OF
age, tall, thin and gray-haired. He was
seen in his cell at the county jail last night,
but absolutely refused to make any state
ment whatever. To all inquiries he SIM
ply replied that he would say nothing. He
had been advised by his attorneys DOT to
talk. When asked who his attorney was
he refused to state and turned away. ask
ing only to be left alone.