Barger Murder

BARGER

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 9/4/2007 at 16:44:52

Maquoketa Sentinel, September 28, 1854:
The Late Horrible Murder.
Bellevue, Sept. 26, 1854.
Messrs. Swigart:-
Sirs: I promised you that upon my arrival in this place, I would endeavor to place before you the particulars of the late murder of Mrs. Barger. But after consultation it is thought best not to do so, for fear of prejudicing the public mind and thus thwarting the true aim of justice, and making it difficult to obtain a jury. It appears however that Mrs. Barger had applied for a divorce from her husband on the ground of ill treatment and threats of her life, which divorce was granted at the last term of the District Court, giving her the right to the children, &c., which right to the children Mr. Barger much desired for himself. On Saturday, prior to the murder, Mr. Kirkpatrick, with Mrs. Barger, went to the former residence of Barger after the children, and were to return on Sunday. Barger left Bellevue Sunday with a rifle and proceeded in the direction of Mr. Keister's for the purpose it is supposed, of waylaying them; but as they returned by a different route, he was foiled in the attempt. He however returned to Bellevue during the night, and secreted himself behind a close board fence facing the door of Mr. Kirkpatrick's(where Mrs. Barger then was) and cutting a hole through the crack of the fence sufficiently large to thrust his rifle, and upon her appearance at the door in the morning, deliberatly shot her through the heart.
The above is all which would be proper to bring before the public at present.
Yours in haste, T.