The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1901-06-21
Keller Makes De nial.

J0nn hellef III Arlington, N. d., on IeD.
last was resumed, County Prosecutor
Erwin called the attention Of Judge
Blair. who presides at the trial, to the
publication of what purported to be
detailed account by Mrs. Barker of the
alleged assault upon her by the Rev.
Mr.. Keller. Mr.. Erwin said that to
make public such statement was
violation of the line of conduct that
had been laid down by the court in this
case.
Judge Blair said he would talk to the
jury on the subject when the proper
time came. He continued: "There can
be no doubt of the motive Of the pub
lcation at this time. The court will
make a rigid investigation of this rep
rehensible act at the proper time, and
it will be thorough"
Mrs. Louise Germond with whom
Mrs Barker has been living ever since
the shooting, was the first witness call
ed. Mrs. Germond said she had seen
Barker every day while he lived in her
house for two weeks before the shoot
ing. He appeared much worried and
could not read.
On cross examination witness said
Barker left the house every morning at
the usual time and took his meals reg
ularly with the other bOarders. Wit
ness did not notice anything unusual in
his conduct.
The Defense Closes.
After Robert Warner and Frank II.
Bennett. superintendent of the cable
company, had testified that they knew
Barker as quiet and peaceable man
Lawyer Van Winkle said that the de-
fense closed its case. No attempt was
made to present Mrs Barker's story Of
the alleged assault in the form of
hypothetical question to an insanity ex-
pert, as had been reported would be
done.
The Rev. Mr.. Keller was then called
TO the stand in rebuttal. He said that
on the morning of7the shooting, as he
passed along the east side of Beach
street, Arlington, he did not see Barker
or say to him, Good morning
This was objected to by the defense,
but the court overrued the objection.
MI Keller then denied that he had ever
seen Barker before he was shot or that
Barker had accused him of assaulting
his wife.
"Did you ever assault Mrs. Barker or
attempt to do so!' asked Prosecutor
Erwin.
The defense objected to this question
and was sustained.
did you ever borrow SS3 from Mrs.
Barkcr2" the witness was then asked.
Il did not" he replied.
Witness was then asked concerning
each item of alleged borrowed money,
and in each case he answered that he
had not borrowed the sum mentioned.
He said that he had never owed Mrs.
Barker any money at any time.
Mr. Keller said he had paid money to
Mrs. Barker but il was because of
threatening letters sent by Barker and
not because he owed anything. The
minister then denied that Mrs. Barker
left the church because of an assault
on her. He said he knew the reason.
but on objection by the defense lie was
not allowed to tell what it was. MIR.
Keller then left the stand, the de-
PENDANTS attorneys having 10 qucs-
tons to ask on cross examination.
Keller's Landlady Testifes.
Mrs. Eliza NJ. Sands, with whom Mr..
X nj lar hnnry1c nullnl Inv bp
erutor. The defense objected to her
testifying as to Mr.. Keller's character
because his character had not been at
tackled by the defense.
Mr.. Erwin then asked Mrs Sands if
Mrs. Barker had told her why she
(Mrs. Barker had ceased to attend
Mr.. Kcller's church. Judge Blair
would not permit this question to be
answered.
Then the prosecutor created a sensa-
tion by asking her, do you know Mrs.
Barkers reputation for truth and ve-
Iacity in the nelghborhood in which she
Iives?'
81 do" was the reply.
"What is that reputation-good or
badY"
bad among many" said Mrs. Sands.
On cross examination, Mr.. Van Win
lie asked Mrs. Sands:
"Mr. Keller has lived at your house
for some years?'
"He has"
"And he doesn't pay you any board"
He does not"
Mrs. Engelstader of Arlington was
called upon to answer similar ques-
tions, but she said she did not know
anything about Mrs. Barker of her own
knowledge.
More witnesses Assail Mrs. Barker.
Charles Dunthorn testified that Mrs.
Barkcr's reputation for vcracity was
mot very good" Miss Mary L. Gallon
testified to the same effect. On cross
examination, Miss Gallon said she was
a member of Mr. Keller's church. Mrs.
Mary Wilson also said that Mrs. Bar
ker's reputation for truth was not good
in Arlington.
DR.. William R. Fisher, an expert in
mental diseases, was then called. He
said that on Feb. 16 he saw Barker in
the county Jail. Barker, on the advice
Of counsel, refused to submit to an
examination as to his sanity.
The witness said he had carefully
observed Barker's actions and had no.
ticed no indications Of mental or phys.
ical disease of recent date. Barker in
hls opinion was of sound mind on Feb.
and was In the same condition now.
Reviewing all the circumstances, 1t
was his opinion that Barker was sane
at the time Of the shooting and able to
distinguish between right and wrong.