Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-06-20
WRONGS OF BARK[R'S NIFE
GOTTEN BEFORE THE JURY.
BE LIMITED AT, BUT THEY
ARE UNDERSTOOD.
BOTH BARKER AND HIS WIFE
TOLD OF kELLER'S OU'rRAG-
EOUS ASSAULT.

nOmaS u. Barker, on trial at Jersey
City, N. j., for the shooting of Rev.
John Keller may go to the jury to-mor-
row. The defense had practically fin
ished when the court rose this evening.
Barker and his wife were upon the
stand to-day. They told their story, so
far as the court would allow, and, al
though the record does not show it,
Mr.. Van Wrinkle got reference to the al
legged assault before the jury in one
way and another The witnesses an
swered SO promptly that objections
came shade late. In this way the
outrage was referred to several times
during the day. The State had it
stricken out each time. but the impress
sion went to the jury.
Barker said he met Keller and that
Keller spoke to him. This was in d.
rect contradiction of Keller's testimony
on the stand as he claimed not to have
met any one. Barker said he respond
ed to Keller's greeting by calling Keller
a villain, charging him with outraging
Mrs. Barker; he then, he said, began
firing.
The purpose of Bankers testimony
was to show that, after having brooded
for period over what his wife had told
him, he was in morbid state of mind
and when he came face to face with the
minister he was carried away by feel
ing and began firing; that it was sud-
den,
Violent and Temporary Insanity,
lasting but a moment, but long enough
to cover the period of the shooting.
Mrs. Barker was expected to break
down and become hysterical. but a
cooler woman has seldom occupied the
chair.
Barker was called on the opening of
court. He said he left home to buy a
newspaper. AS he neared the corner OF
Beach street and Midland avenue, he
met Keller about forty feet from the
corner. Keller stopped and said Good
morning, Mr.. barker"
Here the witness Strengthened up in
his chair and continued:
Il replied to Keller and said: You
damned villain, you outraged my wife,
and then -"
II object, object. stop STOP" shout
ed County Prosecutor Erwin.
The court ruled not to allow further
testimony on this point and then Bar
ker started to tell what happened after
the shooting. He said he jumped on
car and went to the town hall at
Kearney, where he surrendered him
self.
The witness started to tell what a
sleepless night he had spent before the
shooting, and about his nervous and
excited condition. lie was promptly
stopped by the prosecutor and the OBJ
lection was sustained.
Barker, continuing his testimony,
contrived to make several
AIlusfons to the Wrong
Keller is alleged to have committed.
In several instances objections by the
prosecuting attorney were sustained.
Witness detailed quarrel he had with
Keller because the latter had borrowed
$50 from Mrs Barker in April, 1899,
the last of which was paid In March.
1900. Previous to that incident, the
relation Of Keller with witness and his
wife had been very friendly; they fire.
quently bicycled together and witness
presented Keller with bicycle.
Barker said he knew the time Keller
usually went % church Sunday morn
ings, but he had
No Intention OF Meeting Him
when he left mis- house that morning
Until he saw the blood flowing from
the wound in Keller's head Barker
said he was in a semi-dazed condition:
then he realized what he had done and
gave himself up. He had felt justified
in what he had done. but now, he said
Il regret the whole thing and Its
cause
Mrs., Barker was called. She said she
had been married to Barker for four
teen years and had known Keller a5ou;
ten years. She said Keller was in the
habit of visiting their home four OF
five times week, and during these
times he often dined with them She
said she remembered April 10. 1899. and
An Occurrence at Her Home
on that day In which Mr.. Keller was
concerned.
Before Mrs. Keller could say any
thing further the county Prosecutor
stopped her and objected to the giving
Of further testimony as to what o-cur-
red on this time, on the ground that II
was irrelevant.
This was the date on which II Is al
legged by Mrs. Barker that Mr.. Keller
assaulted her at her home.
Mrs. Barker was questioned as to her
connection with the Trinity Mission, oil
which Mr. Keller was rector.
Why did you sever your connection
with the mission"
Because Mr.. Keller outraged me, >
was the answer without hesitancy.
The prosecutor objected vigorously
but Judge Blair let question and an