New-York tribune., 1901-02-06
FRIENDS CLING TO KELLER
BELIEVE THAT wIFE'S HALLUcINA-
TIONS CAUSED BARKER TO SHOOT.

Thomas g. Barker. who shot the Rev. John
Keller m Arlington. y. J.. on last sunday morn
ing. was taken from tho jail at Kearny to the
Hudson County Jail. in Jersey City. yesterday
Barker Was cheerful, and expressed ms behei
that Mr. Kelcr's condition would soon be so
much improved as 10 permit his admission 70
hail The prisoner was not handcufed and
with grip in his hand, was to all appearances
an ordinary business man. Barker refused 10
rrake any statement
Drs James A ENton and Plny Barber. two
~ MI Kclier's physicians said last night that
their patient probably would recover. The
theory of Mr.. Keller's friends in relation 20 the
shooting is that Mrs Barker has been for some
time suffering from an increasingly serious
nervous malady. and that the story Of infamy
which she told her husband was the result Of a
partially disordered mind Two instances are
related wherein she is said 10 have suffered
from hystcria A ncighb0r ~ Barkcr's said yes
terday 10 a Tribune reporter that something
more than a week ago Mrs Barker said 10 a
woman friend DO you know what Mr.. Keller
is saving about me now?" and that she supple
mentcd this inquiry with the remark that Mr..
Keller was going about telling people that
she victim Of the opium habit. other
stories of her alleged eccentricity are current
in Arlington
n H. said by a who is in a position to
know that on account of trouble some time
ago between Mr. and Mrs. Barker Mr. Keller
Was suggested a proper person 30 reconcile
their supposed difference. Whether the minis
used his good offices is not definitely known.
The reason Why Mrs. Barker left Mr. Keller's
church. stated hy a member Of it. was be-
cause she was criticised by the Ladies Aux
Hilary OF the church in June. 1924. for taking
some if,p,-o,-cr,eT,rs tho church -
this meeting. il Was said Mrs Barker became
hysterical and kicked man who went 10 her
assistance. immediately afterw ard she left the
church.
After Barker had been sodged in jail al Jersey
City Yesterday Counselors Van Wrinkle and
Wall had a long conference with him Mr.. Van
WinRl- later made the following statement:
We have been retained BY Mr. RRarkers employ
ers 10 deiend him VIGOROUSLY. Mr. Barker is man
who neither smokes nor drnks and his conduct
has always been that OF 4 very respectable man.
many false things have appeared in Tho different
papers. but some OF the stories are substantially
and had an interview with him. Mrs. Barker
presenr physical and mental condition l. the result
oi fhe assault that was made
Mr.. Van Wrinkle added that if Mr. Keller re-
oovered they would proceed against him Grim
inallv.
Orange. Feb. Especial. The venerable Alex
ark and rector Of Grace Church Orange. said
to-day in reference 10 the case Of the Rev. John
Keller, NJ Arlington. who was shot sunday ny
Thomas @ Barker:
The clergy Of the diocese stand hack n Mr..
Keller, ana believe that he Is the victim Of cruel
hallucination. There is whom I have met,
either clergyman or layman. who believes for a
moment the accusations against Mr keller The
story IS preposterous on the face OF n. ] Mr..
Keller yesterday, and his condition very en-
couraelng. While Was There ne remarked that he
hsd been able 10 see some light, that the sight
ot his lett eye remains. and there is "A possibility
~ saving the sight Of the right eye Although the
revolver, nred from behind Mr.. Keller was placed
so close 10 his right cheek that his beard was
burned. think that he will he disigured he
cause tho beard will cover the scar.
The Rev John 5. Miller Of Orange said:
The Rev. Mr.. Keller has lived blameless life
He enjoys in marked degree the respect and
afecuon or his brethren i'm the priesthood. II /,
not saying too much to than their confdenc,
~ MIN Is mistaken. IL Is believed that time vii
show that the aspersions now being east on hin
are unjust There has been nothing thus far I'm thf
ALLEGATIONS which have beer made 10 induce rea
soma bic people 10 believe otherwise than that ne
IS The Victim ~ persons whose diseased imaeina-
lions have led TO the commission Of awful
crime.