The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1901-07-10
BL LUFF CALLED
Mr.. Keller's Alleged Lack
of Funds Met by Bark
er's Friends.
RADICAL SIFTlNGDEMANDEO
Ecclesiastical Trial Won't Do
But Minister Must Take
Some Action.

to clear himself of the charge made by
Mrs Barker, or else admit himself guilty.
that they will raise fund for Keller him.
self This is in view of the fact that the
clergyman has said he has not money
enough to bring libel suit.
The offer practically takes the form of
a challenge to Keller to take this con-
tributed money and use it when he prose-
cutes Mrs Barker for alleged slander.
On Monday night the friends of Barker
met in Fraternity Hail. Arlington, and
formed a permanent organization, to be
known as the Thomas G. Barker Defense
Association.
Steps were taken to bring about an in
vestigation. 4 conference was held for
the same purpose a few days ago in the
office of Richard v. Lindabury, who has
been engaged as counsel for Mr.. Kel-
Ter.
There were about fifty of Barker's
friends at the meeting last night, which
was held in Fraternity Hail. Arlington.
John Summer was elected chairman OF the
association, and H. R. Kearns was made
secretary. George Mcclellan, Robert j.
Victor, H. R. Kearns, John Sumner and
former assistant Postmaster William L.
Stewart, of Arlington, were appointed an
executive committee Addresses were
made by j. Albert Stowe, William ]. Cor
such, John Sumner and William L. Stew
art, all of whom declared that Mr.. Keller
should take some action to clear himself
of the charge made by Mrs. Barker.
The outcome of the discussion was the
adoption of a resolution instructing the
committee to arrange for a mass meeting
in Arlington early next week, when an
effort will be made to get Mr.. Keller to
begin some kind of proceedings. The COM
mittee was also diretced to draft an open
letter to the clergyman that it is neces-
sary for him to begin some action against
Mrs Barker for defamation of character
The Executive Committee will have
charge of the Barker defence fund, and
last night several contributions were re-
ceived. Among the prominent residents OF
Arlington who were present at the meet
ing was Frank H. Dennis, w. K. Smith,
John w Jones and William Amann.
AT the conference held in Mr.. Linda
bury's office there were present IN addl-
ton to the wounded clergyman, Bishop
Starkey and Archdeacons Jenvey and
Mann What transpired has not been di-
sulged. Bishop Starkey has gone away
for the summer, and beyond admitting
that Sucn a conference WAS uSlu,
con Mann would not discuss it today.
while Mr.. Kellers friends are satisfied
in their own minds of his innocence"
said Mr. Mann, ''they feel that Mr.. Keller
owes 1t to the larger public to prove him
self guiltless, and that l believe he can
do. How it is to be done I don't know.
One way, perhaps, would be for Mrs.
Barker to prefer a charge against Mr..
,oI hos hpnn iail
for five years for shooting Mr.. Keller. If
she can prove her charge. Mr. Keller
can be sent to prison for twenty years.
personally, 1 am not in favor of an
ecclesiastical trial. continued Mr.. Mann.
.Even though it might be public there
would be many who would pronounce it
whitewash. The ecclesiastical court has
not the power to issue subpoenas, and
some witnesses might refuse to attend
such a trial Mrs. Barker, even, might
not wish to give her testimony, and there
would be no power to compel her to at
tend.
Mr. Keller might ask for an inquiry
by the church, basing his request on the
ground that ne had been accused by pub
lie rumor of immortality, and, in that
event. the case would be heard by five
presbyters and the bishop would pro-
nounee the sentence But I do not think
this would be adequate. If I know Mr..
Keller Alright and I think do, he is anx-
ious to clear himself of these accusations,
and ne will take whatever steps are prop
or. When a decision will be reached as
20 what action shall be taken / do not
know. 1t seems to me that the best way
Of threshing out the case would be for
Mrs. Barker to begin an action against
Idr Keller"
On the authority of Joseph Parker, Jr-,
who is Mr.. Keller's closest friend and le-
gal adviser and a master in chancery foI
the State of New Jersey, the announce
ment is made that action against Mrs.
Barker will positively be taken for the
purpose of bringing out all the hitherto
excluded items of evidence and in the ex-
pectation of completely exonerating the
accused clergyman.
.syve need no urging by the Thomas G.
Barker Defense Association" said Mr..
Parker yesterday, NOR by anybody else.
Mr.. Keller and Mr.. Keller's friends are
thoroughly aroused to the necessity of
clearing away any lingering doubt from
the public mind, and it is settled at
some legal steps must be taken Nothing
definite will be done. however, until next
fait. unfortunately II ID liol ee'Sy " oStSi-
mine just what course is the best TO pur-
sue to obtain the desired result but that
will be determined between now and next
fall I understand Bishop Starkey is I'M
alterably opposed to anything like an ec-
clesiastical trial of Mr.. Keller. No &C.
clesiastic body could compel Mrs Barker
to come before it and tell her story, and
in the event of her refusal there is no
other aecuser. 1t has been suggested that
civil suit for damages be brought
against Mrs Barker, and that course may
be best to take
One Of Mr.. Barker's closest friends
and one familiar with the legal aspect of
the case said today when told of the
difficulty Mr.. Parker spoke of in bringing
either civil or criminal action:
II don't see why they couldn't sue her
for peryurp if they are. really sincere in
their desire to press the matter. Mrs.
Barker. when on the witness stand, was
permitted to say in reply TO the question
as to why she left the church. I left it
because Of an assault Mr.. Keller made