Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-01-19
MURDERER'S BLOODY
HANDPRINTS MAY HELP
TO UNRAvEL MYSTERY
Montgomery County Authori-
ties Make Pictures of Marks
Left by Man Who Killed
"Old Tom" Barrett
SoUDERTON is AROUSED

Photographs OF the bloody imprints of
the murdcrer's hands which last Sunday
beat Tom Barrett, 75-year-old cobbler and
hobo OF Souderton. to death were snapped
today by the authorities of Bucks County.
The prints Will be sent to the police in
different cities IN the hope of establish
ing the identity of the murderer, who, the
police believe, may have criminal
record.
Impruts OF the murderer's fingers and
hands have been discovered on the walls
OF the barn where Barrett's mutilated
body was found. II was In barn where
Barrett lived, worked ard spent most of
his time. Barrett considered the barn as
his home. To citizens OF Souderton the
little red-brick barn was known as tom
Barretts barn" 1t was "showplace"
for persons who visited souderton.
The murder OF Barrett is Just as much
unsolved today as It was last Sunday.
District Attorney Anderson said today
that the murder was the stranEest and
most mystifylng that has ever occurred
In Bucks County
Money wasn't the motive FOR killing
Barrett. the police say. Everybody. from
Chief of Police Gideon Lever of Chelteu-
ham township. down to the youngest
ne'cr-do-well of Souderton, says that Bar
tett had neither visible money nor hid
den treasure. When not working as a
cobbler In tho barn. he was usually on
the highways begging for food, clothing
or money. Although he often went on
begging expeditions. he was never ar
rested
Tom Barrett was one OF the finest
old men who ever invaded Bucks Coun-
" said one of the constables in Souder-
ton, who had known the murdered man
for decade.
REVENGE is THEORY.
No weapon of any sort was found in
the barn. which is located on the estate
of the late Michael Meyer One theory
of the police Is that the murder was
either committed by tramp or man
who sought revenge for some act which
may have occurred many years ago
Wealthy property owners In Bucks
County are aroused over the murder
They are in favor of issuing reward
for the arrest and conviction of the mur-
der or murdercrs.
Mrs. Elmer Souder, wife tf Elmer
Souder, who found the body. speaks of
Barrett as n scholar ant gentleman"
Local affairs in Souderton have been vlr-
tually forgotten since Barrett was killed
His murder is discussed daily in every
household.
ut Is the saddest and most dastardly
thing I have ever heard Of" said II. s.
Sensing, burgess of Souderton. Tom
Barrett was an inoffensive and most low
able old man and one of the most re-
markable characters North Penn has
ever known. He was straight as a
string"
BROTHER KILLED AT FIRE.
Barrett had brother who was a Phila-
delphia fireman and who met his death
at local fire
Since the murder crowds have flocked
daily to the barn. Among those at that
place today was II. S. Frederick, with
whom Barrett remlniscenced.
Tom talked to me of his affairs a week
ago" said Frederick, land I remember
he talked on that occasion more than any
other time. He may have thought he did
not have a long while to live He told me
he had made a mistake when he Joined
the Union Army as a teamster during the
Civil War, for he got no pension because
he was always In the rear.