The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1901-07-08
BARKER IN JAIL
He Was Taken to Tren-
ton Today to Begin
His Five Years.
SAYS KELLER is THROUGH
Thinks That Gentleman will
Take No Action for
Various Reasons.

Thomas G. Barker, who was convicted
of shooting the Rev. John Keller, of Ar
lington, on February 8, with intent to kill,
and sentenced to five years Imprisonment
with hard labor, was unexpectedly re-
moved from the County Jail at .25 this
morning by order of Sheriff Ruempler and
taken to the State Prison at Trenton by
Constable Frank Hague.
They boarded a trolley car bound for
the Pennsylvania Depot; no crowds saw
the noted prisoner, as his removal was
entirely unannounced
Barker was not handcuffed, and anyone
seeing the quiet, unostentatious man
would hardly have connected him with
the Rev. Mr.. Kellers noted assailant.
Barker was informed on Saturday of his
contemplated removal today, and told to
prepare for the trip. Mrs. Barker and her
husbands friend, M. ]. Sumner of Airing
ton, visited him at the Jail yesterday for
an hour, although it is against the rules
to admit visitors on Sunday. Mrs. Barker
cried ON leaving her husband; he also
seemed greatly affected, but tried to con-
troll his feelings in order to pacify and
comfort his wife.
Barker reassured his wife by telling her
that even if he failed to get new trial
or pardon, the time of his sentence
would quickly pass, and he would soon be
with her again.
Barker was called at S:15 by Warden
Sullivan, after having eaten his break
fast.
The commitment which was signed by
Tr16 LOT, far RI ro W. hrO1IUhf
along by Constable Hague, when he APP
peared few minutes later.
Thomas j. Kelly, one of the inmates of
the jail shook hands with Barker before
he left, and wished him luck.
Constable Hague said that he did not
think it necessary to put handouts on the
prisoner, who replied:-"No, there is no
such necessity, and I thank you very
much for your consideration
Barker was dressed in dark blue serge
suit, light straw hat with black band,
tan shoes and a white pique shirt and a
dark tie.
He has been a model prisoner during
his confinement in the County JAIL
The deputy sheriff and his prisoner
reached the station a few minutes before
nine o clock, and they stood at one of the
windows overlooking the river, chatting
together Barker was dressed in a dark
blue serge suit and straw hat. He carried
a bundle He was apparently in the best
of spirits and not at all worried over his
prospective Imprisonment. There were a
number of passengers in the station at
the time, but no one seemed to recognize
him. Hague strolled about at times and
kept no especial watch on Barker.
In answer to a comment on the station,
Haugue said
TON, let us buy it, I have money,
putting his hand in his pocket and pull
ing up some small change
$50 have t. responded Barker, '.but
have something better than money
friends
Just before he boarded the train, six or
eight commuters, who recognized Barker,
walqked up to the window and stood for
moment They walked away quietly
and Barker and Hauge appeared relieved.
Mr. Barker was asked if he had any
definite plans yet, and why he had de-
cided to go to prison pending his appeal,
and said:-
Il am trying to be as cheerful as pos
sible under the circumstances and hope
for the best. After consultation with my
friends [ decided that it was best to go
ahead and begin my sentence. The APP
peal will be prosecuted and l hope sue
cessfully, but as no one ever knows how
those things will turn out, it is better. in
the event of failure, to have some of my
time served
He was asked if his wife and friends
had visited him and he said:-
My friends have stood by me splendid
ly and my wife made her last visit on
Saturday, when she spent a long time
with me- man with such friends as
have cannot be downhearted.
GAS far as Keller is concerned / do not
think that he will sue He will not ask
for a trial for several reasons. His advis-
ers are opposed to it. and everyone knows
where Bishop Starkey stands. If we had
been permitted to tell our whole story on
the stand, it would have caused a sensa-
ton and turned things upside down. The
trial is now past, but the facts in the
case will some day be known.
.sAs to coming back soon, don't know
but | always hope for the best
When the train was made up Barker
and his guard quietly entered ore of The
cars and the train pulled out of the sta
tion, with hardly any recognition of the
man who has figured as principal in what
may be considered one of the most sensa-
tfonal cases of recent years.