The record-union., 1897-12-28
BARKER TO JOIN HIS BRIDE.
GOVERNOR BUDD LISTENS TO
HIS APPEAL.
End Of a Roseville Episode That
Stirred People in Three
Counties.

1t was nearly two months ago when
wedding bells sent out their joyous
peals in the village of Roseville in Plac-
er County, and Charles H. Barker, for
merly of this city, and Mrs. Belle
Steele of Roseville started in to do life
together.
But on the morning following the joy
Gus event, while the fumes of the we'd
ding wine were still in the bridegroom's s
head, he had a mixup with Justice OF
the Peace L. A. Dickey, who had fined
him 81 so for assaulting a rival hotel
keeper, and ended by swatting the
magistrate on the jaw His arrest on
battery charge followed, and he was
| arraigned before Justice Walden OF
Rocblin, pleaded guilty, and was SEN
fenced to serve six months in the Plac-
er County jail and pay fine of Sl,o00
But people of Roseyille, Rocklin and
Sacramento rose in their wrath, de-
clared the sentence to be out OF all pro-
portion to the offense, and ended by Pc
titioning Governor Budd to pardon the
offender who had SWatted the masls-
terial jaw.
The petition is as interesting as
play, and reads more like romance
than a page out of real life. Indeed
prettier told tale seldom finds it's way
into print than that told to the Gov
ernor by the friends of Charles II.
Barker The petition in full is as fol-
lows:
"Chas H. Barker was formerly res
ident of Sacramento, where for many
years he was a trusted employe of the
Sacramento Transfer Company. About
October, 1897, he left Sacramento and
went to Roseville, where he engaged in
the hotel business. On the evening of
October 81, 1897, he was married to
Mrs Belle Steele, an estimable lady of
that town. Barker's old friends, and
they were very many, determined to be
present at the wedding and make the
occasion one of great festivity.
During the night Barker entertained
his old Sacramento friends so we'll that
he became iollier than he intended, and
drank more than he ought. In the
morning, while yet under the influence
of liquor. the unfortunate incident oc-
CURED that resulted in his imprison-
ment.
There had been some disagreement
between a rival hotel keeper and Bark
er, and after the occurrence Barker
struck E. a. Dicky, the Justice Of the
Peace at Roseville. For this assault
he was on that day CMonday, Novem-
Der I, 1897, the day following his we'd
ding) arrested for battery, on a COM
plaint sworn to before ]. M. Walden,
Justice of the Peace at Rocklin, in
Placer County, although at that time
there was another duly qualified Justice
at RoseVille.
Acting on the advice of some friends,
and while yet befuddled with his cele-
bration, Barker appeared before Justice
Walden and entered plea of guilty to
the charge of battery. Sentence was
postponed to a future date. In the in
terim Barker commenced TO realize that
he had acted hastily in entering his plea
and consulted an attorney.
Before Judgment was pronounced
he and his attorney requested permis-
sion to withdraw the plea of guilty and
to be heard on the merits Of the case,
but the request was denied. There
upon Justice Walden pronounced judg-
ment, sentencing Barker to six months
Imprisonment in the County Jail and a
fine Of 81 900 This judgment was
passed Novemb r g. 1897 and since that
time, but for a few days when released
on bail, Barker has been imprisoned.
Barker has now served nearly one
month Of HIS term of imprisonment. 1t
is respectfully submitted that Mr.. Bark
er has been sufficiently punished by
the imprisonment he has already un-
dergone The injured party. Justice
Dickey, unites with petitioners in this
application for pardon. At the time Of
his arrest and imprisonment Barker
had just succeeded, by his industry and
ability, in starting what promised to be
a profitable hotel business. He is not
man of Incorporate habits, and his
character is vouched for by the people
among whom he has lived since re-
siding in Roseville, as we'll as citizens
Of Sacramento who have known him a
long time"
The petition was signed by almost
every citizen of Roseville. all of the
prominent people of Rocklin. and a
large number of Sacramentans, among
whom are the three Superior Judges,
District Attorney Ryan, Mayor-elect
Land, and scores of others.
That Governor Budd would hearken
to the appeal Of Barker's friends was
believed by all. and that they were cor
rect was evidenced by the fact that the
Governor yesterday commuted his SEN
tence from six TO two months impris-
onment, and reduced the fine from
81 coo to $50 While a free pardon
was not granted, the probabilities are
that Barker feels relieved at the prcs-
pect Of reganing his liberty and re-
tanning his money.