The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1901-07-17
KELLER'S STAND
His Friends Says He'll Fight
But Won't Reply to Ar
lington Letter.
REFUSES To HEAR DETAILS
Parries Questions About Bark
er Defence Associations
Action With Tales.

The Rev. John Keller, Chaplain of the
First Regiment of New Jersey, who is in
camp at Sea Girt with his regiment, was
asked yesterday by reporter if he IN
tended to make a reply to the open let
ter addressed to him by the Thomas G.
Barker Defense Association of Arlington.
He refused to make any definite reply.
The chaplain was found at the club
house of the State Rifle Association.
What action do you propose to take
in regard to the demand of the Barker
Defense Association that you bring sun
against Mrs. Barker for defamation OF
cnaracter?" he was asked.
The minister replied deliberately:
Il went to Bernardsville with the un-
derstanding that I should say nothing
Tor publication, and 1 came here with the
same determination. 1 will not break my
parole. Please do not ask me anything
more. for do not wish to refuse
He evaded further questions by telling
pleasant stories and turning the conversa-
ton TO other topics
Mr.. Keller's friend, the Rev. j. M
Madison, was with him, and ne communl-
Gated the tenor of the meeting and its
resolution to the chaplain, but what re-
ply the minister made was not revealed
by Mr.. Madison.
r. V. Lindabury, the chaplain's lawyer,
said it would be improper for him TO dis
cuss his clients affairs. unless directed
by Mr.. Keller 10 make a public state
ment.
Joseph Parker, Jr., announced yesterday
that the Rev. John Keller would shortly
take steps to prove himself innocent OF
the charges made by Mrs. Thomas G.
Barker. Just what form such action Will
take could not be learned but Mr.. Parker
said that within few days the plans for
his client would be made public.
1t is said that the matter will be settled
in court Mrs John Sumner, the closest
OF Mrs Barker's friends, has stated that
the prisoners wife will positively give her
evidence nowhere save in court.
She viii not go before any ecclesiastical
body TO tell her story, when any such jury
would be prejudiced against her and eager
to prove Keller innocent" said she.
Mr. Parker, however, maintains that
Mrs Barker's charges have not been made
in any form which would justify legal,
action by his client for defamation of
character.
..The question of Keller's guilt did not
get into evidence and the only way in
communication to her husband"
But the friends of the Barkers say that
Mrs. Barker will under no circumstances
seek refuge in any such legal technicality
and are emphatic in saying. that she, as
well as her friends desire the matter to
be effted thoroughly.
In the letter addressed to Mr.. Keller by
the Thomas G. Barker Defence Associa-
ton it said that Mrs. Barker, during the
trial of her husband, testified, under oath,
that you had committed a criminal out
rage upon her person"
Mr.. Parker in speaking of this said
Though we have not yet received the
letter the text of it has been made pub
lie The very premises upon which their
demands are made are incorrect. Mrs.
Barker did not say under oath that Keller
had committed criminal outrage upon
her person. Such testimony was not ad-
1nitted.
''The innocence of Mr.. Keller could not
be established by attacking anything in
the admitted evidence
.'Well, in what way do you expect to
act?" was asked.
1--WE shall not state at present what our
plans are, but within a few days some
Keller will in proper time thoroughly dis
prove the charges of the woman"
A New York lawyer, who may be re-
tanned in Mr.. Keller's interests, puts
forth a suggestion as to how the whole
story may be brought out under oath.
1.-THE simplest procedure said he, "and
which does not seem to have suggested
itself to the Thomas G. Barker Defence
Association, is for Mrs. Barker to bring
action against Keller for criminal assault.
No expense wifi be attached to such a
step. as the county would be forced to
bear it, and no lawyers fees would be
necessary as the Prosecutor of the Pleas
would act in his official capacity
ut may be set down as a certainty that
Mr.. Keller if made defendant would not
plead the Statute of Limitations as a de-
tense. If he did 1t would be a confession
of guilt, and he would be driven from the
community in disgrace.
In bringing criminal action Mrs. Bar
ker would avoid expense and would have
the whole power Of the Prosecutors office
behind her. and the fund which the De-
fense Association says it is willing to con-
tribute to urge Mr.. Keller to bring civil
sutt could be used for her benefit while
her husband is in prison. The conviction
of Mr.. Keller would mean an imprison-
nent of twenty years, and If he is guilty
he deserves such punishment He would
becone a blind convict deserted by his
friends and execrated by the world.
Neither the Thomas G. Barker Defense
Association nor Mr., Barker himself could
ask for greater satisfaction
"There is basis for civil suit by Mr..
keller. The publication of the statement
made by Mrs. Barker and admitted by her
attorney to be substantial reproduction
Of a statement made to him by his CHEN.
is sufficient for suit for defamation OF
character, and if Mrs. Barker IS Wiling
to charge criminal assault under oath, sne
is no doubt willing to admit the correct
noss of the unsworn charge IN newspa-
per Her counsel would be bound to ad-
nit that he had such a statement IN MS
possession. Mrs Barker has asserted
that she made written statement to no
other person, so that the publication