The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1903-07-15
BARKER At HOME.
i
Assailant Of the Rev. John
Keller Greeted at His
Arlington House by
His Wife.
WARM WELCOME sY FRIENDS
He Will at Once Return to
Business-R Rev. John
Keller Is Silent.
WARM WELCOME BY FRIENDS

AHomaS VI Ddfker, NAo WAS pdfoieu
after being sentenced for the crime of
attempting to kill the Rev, John Keller
left the State prison at Trenton yester-
day at eleven o'clock, and an hour or so
later was greeted by his wife in the
doorway of their home in Arlington.
The house is but "a short distance from
that of the Rev. John Keller and the
spot where he shot the minister two
years ago.
He was extremely happy, and, while
waiting for the arrival of messenger
with the parole papers he sat in the
warden's Office chatting with the prison
officials, with whom he is great favor
ite. He shook hands with all of them
as, he was about to leave.
I'VE haye never had better man here
than you,'' said Warden Osborne, as
Barker grasped his right hand with es-
pecial warmth
Barker was clad in a well pressed suit
of serge and wore sailor hat and blue
tie as he stepped from the portals of
the prison. On his way to the depot
he stopped only long enough to purchase
handkerchief and several minor ar
ticles. A great crowd was at the little
station of the Erie Railroad at Airing
ton to greet him, but Barker anticipated
| at least a crowd of the curious and left
| the train at Newark and boarded troll
ley car that took him within block of
where his wife waited for him, at Miss
Phoebe Germond's, No. 80 Laurel ave
nue., where the Barkers have lived for
years. The street was nearly. deserted:
He spoke to several neighbors and
some boys flying kites. He was more
clipper than eyer, fifteen pounds heavier
than when he entered the prison. He
was smiling as he caught sight of his
wife in the doorway. Mrs. Barker was
att.red in pretty new white summer
gown. She ran forward to greet him,
throwing her arms about his neck. She
led him inside the house, where the
Misses Germend were waiting to welcome
him. Luncheon was also awaiting him.
He remained at his home all the after.
noon. during which time many neighbors
| called.
The impression that the release OF
Barker has created in Arlington cast
down the friends of the Rev. Keller
Leading men who heretofore had with
held their opinions were among the first
to call upon and welcome him. Keller
refused to discuss the subject.
| Barker said to reporters
/ Il am back at my home with my dear
wife, and expect to make my home
here in the future. / would be coward
to leave here now. am going to live
amcng my friends who have done SC
much for me. No man ever had truel
friends.
| Il will begin practically anew, as
have only the money that got when
left prison. but l have position with
the Commercial Gable Company and will
return to work there right away
Barker was reticsnt about the shoot
ing of Keller, but it was evident thai
he has not repented Of it.
Until have talked over that matter
fully with my wife and friends l do moi
care to discuss it, he said. Il mag
later. But / want to forget that mar
and that whole affair."
Barker denied that he had ever writ
ten letter to Keller asking him to in
tercede for his pardon.
s'If there is such letter in existence >
he said, s'the man who has it could make
it prblic.''
| A.......