The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1901-07-16
KELLER WARNED
Barker Defence Association
Says He Must Clear
Himself or Leave
Arlington.
MASS MEETING LAST NIGHT
Town Hall Crowded With
People Evidently in Sym
pathy With Con-
victed Man.
STRONG BELIEF IN MRS. BARKER
Judge, Jury, Prosecutor and
Governor Unanimously
Condemned.
STRONG BELIEF IN MRS. BARKER
Especial to ..rhe Jersey city News."l

Especial to 1.-THE Jersey City News."1
ARLINGTON, July 16, 190l.-ln no mis-
:aken terms did the citizens of the town
of Arlington last night give expression to
their views on the accusation made by
Mrs. Thomas G. Barker against the Rev.
John Keller. AS friends of the husband,
VINO is now in Trenton State Prison for
shooting the clergyman who he believed
lad outraged his wife, they demanded
that the clergyman shall at once clear mis-
name and by una anirnous vote they ap-
proved of this open letter to the Rev.
John Keller
Rev. John Keller, Arlington, N. j.
Sir-We, the undersigned citizens,
who desire the whole truth respecting
the tragedy of February TO be ascer-
beg to remind you that Mrs. Barker,
during the trial of her husband, testi-
her This charge, thus solemnly made
by woman of good reputation, has
now been on public record several
weeks, yet as far as we know you have
taken no steps beyond a simple denial
to show forth your innocence of the
alleged crime. The way is ciearly-open
for you TO obtain a searching and
complete judicial inquiry, by which the
truth can be established beyond ques-
tion. Your seeming hesitation to take
This course is arousing public susplc- s
ION. Refusal of investigation would be
equivalent to confession We therefore
respectfully urge you to bring SUIT at
law against Mrs. Barker for defama-
tion of character.
In many respects 1t was a remarkable
assembly gathered in the town hall OF
Arlington last night. Pretty nearly every
one in the place was there and there were
anything but favorable criticisms ut
tered on the conduct of Governor Voor-
hees, Judge Blair, Prosecutor Erwin and
The jury which found Barker guilty. The
Governors conduct in having Mr.. Keller
to preach at Sea Girt on Sunday and CIV
ing a reception afterwards to the clergy
man was openly denounced as gross pad
taste. Judge Blair's rulings in keeping
the story of the alleged assault from the
Jury were denounced as unfair. Prosecu-
tor Erwin was charged with making mis-
statements and the jury was to blame Tor
miscarriage of justice. AS for Mr.. hei-
Ter. one citizen evoked mucn cheering
when he SHOUTED out from the rear end
of the hall:-
aJf he was well enough to preach to the
soldiers at Sea Girt and spend the day
going among the boys he is well enough
to explain an attack on his life ana MS
character"
Mr. John Sumner, who has been nrm
friend of Mr.. Barker throughout ms
troubles, presided. He read the call 1or
the meeting issued by the Thomas U.
Barker Defence Association, which was
signed by himself as chairman, II. K
Kearns. secretary and Frank H. Dennis.
He said that the public labored under a
wrong impression as 10 the objects OF the
association. None of its members, ne
said. upheld Mr.. Barker in taking the
law into his own hands. They deplored
that All the aim of the association was
to Law bare the truth of the charges made
by Mrs. Barker against Rector Keller.
"It is because we believe said the
chairman, that another crime has been
committed, crime of the most abomin-
able nature, one which is hard to prove,
and therefore difficult to punish ] say
that because we believe this, we are as
sociated in order that we may do what
oyer is in our power to further investigate
this other alleged crime and the mystery
surrounding 1t.
Mrs. Barker has openly accused Mr..
keller of a very serious offence. Her long
residence among us and her excellent rep
utation, justify this community in demand
ing that Mr.. Keller bring this case before
a proper tribunal of investigation. He
should explain why he so suddenly broke
off his bretherly friendship for Barker
who was not even a member of his
church. Men do not usually break on
friendships that way.
.qFIe should explain why, as he has ac-
lxnowledged, he paid money to Mrs. Bar
tar which he says he did not owe. It is
as Immoral to encourage dishonesty in
others as to practice it ones self. Mr..
Keller has so taught.
ssThere have been hints of blackmaiL IL
.b,s mad beeu a case of blackmail would
a have stopped at sSs? Mr.. Keller cannot
r1ead ii the matter of suit Of defama-
tion &the statute of limitation or MS
nosition as a clergyman before the bar OIL
public opinion.
eve do not criticize the judge OF lne
3urv. hut the Public Prosecutor certainiy
made misstatements which have supJeeteu
Mrs. Barker to unjust criticism. as aiso
onr honest townsman Mr.. Thompson
whom we all know for respectable man
schristianity has stood worse snocAs
than this. but in the interests OF Cnrls-
tianitv and decency it is important tnat
M Keller explain-and that not before a
nrivate commission or a church board. II
the state courts could be trusted to try