The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1901-06-22
K[LLER'S TURN.
Accused Clergyman to Seek
Vindication Through
Civil Suit.
BARKER FULL OF FIGHT
Convicted Man Reiterates His
Confidence in His Wife's
Story.
CONDUCT OF TRIAL CRITICISED
Legal Lights Say What They
Think of the Rulings of
Judge and Counsel.

Thomas G. Barker, who, was yesterday
afternoon, convicted of assaulting with
attempt to kill the Rev. John Keller,
will, it is expected be released today from
jail. The bond of $4,000 will be furnished
by wealthy residents of Arlington whose
sympathies throughout the trial have
been with him. Barker is in cell in
the Hudson County Jail, and not one bit,
apparently, cast down over the verdict.
He was Facing his narrow quarters this
morning smoking cigar and as cheerful
as could be.
Barker spent a very quiet night in his
cell in Ward of the County Jail. With
the other prisoners he was locked up at
six O'Clock last night. He arose at seven
this morning, looking much refreshned
Copies of the morning papers were sent
into him by Warden Sullivan, and he
spent the morning reading the accounts
of the conclusion of his trial
The convicted would-be murderer re-
fused to see any visitors this morning,
but up to noon the only persons who
called at the Jail in the hope of talking
to him were number of newspaper men,
Neither his wife nor his counsel have
seen him since he left the court room
yesterday afternoon. He seems in COM
paratively good spirits, but refuses to
discuss his case or the trial with any of
the keepers or other prisoners confined
in the same ward.
II believe in my wife" he said to
News representative, "and I know in
my heart she told me the truth when she
said Keller, curse him, outraged her
am not sorry for what did and 1 would
do it again under the same circumstances.
Although I am naturally surprised at the
verdict, vet am not utterly discontent-
ed, believing as I do that the Supreme
Court will set aside this trial because of
the judges ruling. When 1 get new
trial my wifes story will go in and I will
go free. l am sure of that. l fully ex-
pected that my wife would have been al
lowed to tell her story on the stand.
Had she been permitted to do SO the ver-
dict would have been very different and
I would be now in my home in Airing
ton instead Of here. was, repeat, justi-
fed in what did and every fair minded
man will agree with me-"
The warden of the jail thinks Barker
the best prisoner he ever had. He doesn't
give any trouble, and there's not pris-
oner in that dingy Jail who doesn't side
with him When he was taken into the
prison last night after the trial was fin,
ished they cheered him and patted his
back and bid him cheer up. He retired
early last night and slept as soundly as
a child.
Under the law of New Jersey the crime
of assault with intent to kill is punish
able with seven years in State Prison and
a fine of $1,000 The Court, however, may
suspend the whole sentence or any part
of it, and it is generally believed that
Judge Blair will inflict light sentence.
Already petition for clemency is being
prepared and there'l1 be no lack of sig
natures Sentence will be pronounced on
Thursday next, but the appeal now be-
ing framed will be filed before that date
in the Supreme Court at Trenton, and it
will in the meantime stay the execution
of the sentence until the appeal is de-
cided The appeal will not be argued un-
til the November term on a writ of error.
Judge Blair, who, despite the hard work
of the week, sat in the Orphans Court
this morning as usual, said, when spoken
to about the Barker trial.:
ssWhile the trial was a remarkable one
to the world at large, it was only an or
binary one from a legal standpoint. 1t
was tried according to the laws of the
State of New Jersey and that is all there
is about it''
Prosecutor James S. Erwin was very
jubilant this morning over the result of
the trial. He said that Jersey justice"
was triumphant and it was his conviction
that justice had been done. 1t had BEEN
he said, a hard fight. On the question of
the appeal the Prosecutor wouldn't talk
for the reason, he said, it was unwise
to cross a bridge until one reached it.
Barker's counsel, Messrs. Van Winkle
and Albert c. Wall, held a conference
this morning as to the points on which
to base their appeal. They were not very
communicative about it, but added that
there was ample groundwork for one.
AS for the Rev. John Keller, he was
much eated over the verdict and re-
CARDS it as vindication. To a News
representative he said that he only re-
GREETED he was not permitted to go on
the stand and refute Mrs Barlxer's
charges against him.
II tell you, with all solemnity, I am
not guilty of what she charges, and some
time l hope to have this awful story
threshed out and disposed of forever"
With Archdeacon Alexander Mann Of
Newark, Rev. Mr. Fletcher and other
clergymen of the Episcopal Church, he
took an early train for Arlington last
night. and when the party arrived at
the depot they found a crowd awaiting
them, composed principally of the mem
bers of Trinity Mission Chapel, of which
Mr. Keller is rector in charge. The
Hornen rushed forward, and II the clergy
men with Mr.. Keller hadn't formed a
sort OF Gordon the women would have
Rugged him.
One little woman, she who was asked