The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1901-06-17
Sharp Reproof From Judge Blair
Necessary to Restrain Their
Unseemly Noise.

That which promises to be the most
sensational case in the criminal history
OF Hudson County or that of the State,
for the matter of that, began this morn
ing in the Court of General Sessions be-
fore Judge John A. Blair. It was the trial
of Thomas G. Barker, of Arlington, in
dicted for shooting, with intent, to KILL
the Rev. John Keller, pastor of the Trim
ity, P E. Mission of Arlington, for an al
legged assault committed by the clergyman
on the wife of the defendant in the trial.
The cold facts to be produced by the
Prosecutor of the Pleas are that on Feb
ruary 3, a Sunday morning, Mr.: Keller
was on his way to assist Bishop Thomas
A. Starkey, to whom he was private chap
lain, in an ordination service to be held at
Fort Lee AT the northeast corner of
Midland avenue and Beech street, in the
township of Arlington, on that day, and
just as Mr.. Keller was passing that point.
a man emerged from the bushes and fired
a revolver at the clergyman, who fell
with a bullet. which entered the right
side of the head under the eye and lodged
a little below the left eye. He who did
the shooting fired thrice after that, two
shots passing through Mr. Keller's low
crowned hat, and the fourth hit him on
the first finger of the right hand. Barker
it was who fired the shots and he has not
denied it.
The reports of the revolver attracted
attention and some one rushed up and,
securing assistance, carried the wounded
Clergyman to his home. That some one
arrested Barker, who by the way made no
attempt to escape but followed his captor
to Rev. Mr.. Keller's home.
DO you know me?" asked Barker of
the injured clergyman.
NO. 1 do not; can't see; am blind, -
frankly answered Mr.. Keller.
Asked why he committed the assault
Barker replied that his wife, under a
terrible mental strain, had confessed to
him that nearly eighteen months ago Rev.
Mr.. Keller had called at his house during
his absence at work in a New York con-
cern and outraged her. This secret She
had, she said, concealed because she was
afraid, but it had preyed on her mind
and ruined her health and she was COM
PEELED at last to disclose it. Infuriated at
this disclosure Barker determined to elay
him who had attacked his wife's honor
and the trial begun today was the result
of the attempt.
Long before the hour fixed for the con-
yening of court this morning a crowd OF
curious people gathered on the Court
House steps. There were representatives
thirty at least, of newspapers, many Of
them with cameras. AS early as nine
O'Clock these newspaper men had arranged
tables within the rail, giving the court
room the appearance of political con-
vention hall. Even that space was moi
sufficient and an impromptu desk was
made in the first row of seats usually
taken up by spectators. The Court Hous;
officials were at their wits end to know
where to find seats and space for the
prosecuting lawyers and defendants coun-
sci, but by wedging tables in here an6
there and economizing room the Unsuitable
newspaper men and artists were at last
provided with room.
At quarter before ten o'clock the doors
were opened and before one could say
Jack Robinson small army of Womer
swooped in bargain counter style, and
the right side of the dingy court room was
like a Kaleidoscope, veritable flower
garden and shirt waist exhibition al
and turning of heads when the defendant
Thomas c. Barker, entered and took {
seat at his counsel's table. Dear, dear
what an excitement, what buzzing ant
,rustling when a slim little woman dressed
IN grey costume, white straw hat trim
med with pink flowers and yellow lace
quietly sat down beside him.
.'That's her." audibly exclaimed one fus
sy little woman regardless of grammer
She had been sitting on the edge of Z
volcano for some time eager to have ths
honor of pointing out first the woman II
the case. Glasses were levelled at Mrs
Barker, who appeared to be unaware o.
1.-THE excitement and interest her presenc'
lcreated She leaned over to her husband
twho smiled tenderly at her. They wert
like a pair of lovers Indifferent to any
Thing and everything around them. Witt
mrs. Barker was Miss Molloy, a friene
from East Orange.
Excitement No. 2 took place when tht
An Old an Well Tried Remedy.