MR. JENKS UNDER TWO INDICTMENTS AND ANARCHIST DOCTRINES

 

The McGrawville Sentinel, Thursday, February 17, 1887.

UNDER TWO INDICTMENTS.

A Man Attempts to Murder His Wife and Assault His Daughter.

   A Cortland correspondent gives an account of an attempt to murder and criminal assault by William W. Jenks of that place. He is held under two indictments, one for either crime, the first being an attempt to take the life of his wife and the second a criminal assault upon the person of his own daughter. The first charge was made before the justice and the next to the grand jury. Mrs. Jenks is a lady about thirty-two years of age, has been married fourteen years and has three children. She gives the following account of the crimes of which he is accused:

   On the night upon which the assault was made Jenks came home at about midnight in a state of intoxication. Coming into the house, he threw some meat upon the floor and turning vowed he would kill his wife. He then grabbed her by the shoulder and placed a revolver near her left temple. Their twelve-year-old daughter, Effie, who was in the adjoining room, heard her father's threat, and rushing into the room, struck his arm just as he fired the pistol and the contents flew up to the ceiling. The terrified mother and daughter then held the would be murderer to the floor, he having fallen down, until finally they made their escape, Mrs. Jenks running out of doors. Jenks very quickly fell into a drunken sleep and his wife returned to the house.

   Toward morning he awoke and called pitifully for her. She came to his assistance and helped him to arise upon his feet. She then provided some edibles for him and he commenced a tirade of abuse against her. Finding the revolver which his daughter had hidden, the man approached his wife, when she again ran out of doors and to a neighbor's, where her cries for help were heard and she was admitted. One of her neighbors, a man, went to the house of Jenks and quieted him somewhat. The latter finally went after his wife and pleaded with her to go home with him for the sake of her little children. He persuaded her and when she had stepped out doors, the thoroughly infuriated man dragged her home, brutally beating her all the way.

   Even at this attempt made upon her life, and the danger of a second and perhaps successful attempt, Mrs. Jenks said that she would not have her husband arrested. He promised to stop drinking and be a better man, but when she caught him a short time afterwards in the act of committing incest upon Effie, the twelve-year-old daughter, and horrified at the fiendish and terrible deed, the wife and mother could not forgive him but had him arrested. She gave a sad account of her married life, stating that she had lived a most wretched and unhappy existence with her husband. They have lived in Cortland seven years, and he worked for six years at the Hitchcock Manufacturing company's shops, but for a year past has been mostly idle. Mrs. Jenks said that her husband had previously threatened her life and fired his pistol in the house, however not aiming at her until his last murderous assault.

   The poor and unhappy woman told her story of sufferings and troubles in a manner to impress one with their truthfulness. The mother's statements are fully corroborated by the eldest daughter, as far as she has been a witness or taken a part in the scenes provoked by the husband and father. Mrs. Jenks seems to be highly esteemed by those who know her best, and her neighbors, especially, are heartily in sympathy with her in her sorrow and troubles. Jenks pleaded not guilty to the serious accusations against him. His parents live in the town of Scott and are respectable and well-to-do people. The trial will take place at the court of sessions in March next.

Clement Duval.

 

Anarchist Doctrines.

   Speaking of trials, there was a most dramatic scene at the assizers the other day. Duval belonged to a society called "La Panthere des Batignolles." It was this organization that was most prompt to issue a manifesto in behalf of the Anarchists of Chicago. Duval and two or three other members last October broke into the house of Mme. Madelaine Lemaire, stole all the jewelry and money they could find, destroyed a number of fine pictures and set the house afire. When arrested he tried to kill the policeman, and did seriously wound him. When brought into court Duval glorified in his crime. "I am an Anarchist," he said, "and I did it because Anarchism teaches me to do so."

   "But why did you steal?"

   "I did not steal. Everything belongs to everybody. I had a right to take whatever I wanted."

   "Why did you try to kill the officer?"

   "Because he interfered with my rights. If I were able I would kill all policemen and all law officers, beginning with you, judge! Vivel' Anarchie! Vive la revolution sociale!"

   The prisoner was so boisterous and extravagant in his interruptions of the court that he had to be removed by force. He was found guilty, and sentenced to death, amid the wild cries of the other Anarchists who surrounded the court. It is openly maintained by the Anarchist societies here that burglary and theft are not crimes, because there is no such thing as property; nor is a murder a crime, because a man does not own even his own life, and has no right to it if another man wishes to take it from him and is able to do so. Of such temper are the Anarchists of Paris, who send greetings and sympathy to their Chicago compeers.

 

Cortland's second courthouse—jail annex with separate entrance on left.

ATTEMPTED JAIL BREAK.

The Locks of Three Doors Broke But Prisoners are Safe.

   As Officer Edwards made his first round through the jail at Cortland last Friday morning he was surprised to find that the locks had been broken on the doors of Powers and Shay, the two burglars, and of Hopkins, the horse thief. The doors were open and two of the locks were gone. The prisoners, however, were all in their cells, and an examination of the corridor failed to show any evidence of an attempt to escape.

   Edwards thought best to notify Sheriff Van Hoesen at once. The sheriff who was abed immediately arose and with Mr. Edwards commenced to investigate matters. The two officers were received very angrily and sullenly by the three prisoners, and Powers particularly cursed Edwards with a vengeance, evincing a desire to get at him. The sheriff assented to the request and Powers received a shaking that will last him one while [sic].

   In Shay's cell was found a note addressed to the sheriff in which the prisoners bade the officers "good-bye" in not very elegant language. Evidence goes to show that these unworthies had their plans perfected for an escape, but in what manner it is not certain. The sheriff is of the opinion that the prisoners intended to lay for Officer Edwards and as he made his early morning visit, which is usually before day-break, overpower him, secure the keys, unlock the corridor and side doors, relock them and hie away to sweet liberty. This particular morning Edwards happened to oversleep and did not make his visit till 7 o'clock, and the reality of daylight forced the jailbirds to give up their dastardly undertaking. This is the second attempt made by these desperate burglars to break jail.

   Further investigation by the officers resulted in finding that the cap had been moved from one of the ventilators above Shay's cell. This connects with the upper jail where is kept Chauncey Skinner, a lad of seventeen years, who is under arrest for stealing a horse. He had been through the trap door, had removed the nut from the bolt, taken the cap off, let a lamp and a bed cord down through, and then went down through himself. When he saw there was no chance to get out he went back, put on the bur and was in his cell in the morning. The hole through which he went was six by twelve inches.

   The sheriff and deputy took Powers and Shay to have their pictures taken for the rogues gallery. Powers resisted till stern force was brought into requisition, but Shay made up his mind to be taken without trouble. After this photographs were taken of Charles Hopkins, George Carr, Mike Griffin and Chauncey Skinner.

 

McGrawville Village Hall.

EDITORS' EASY CHAIR.

   —Amos Barber and wife of Port Elgin, Canada, are visiting at George Larabee's.

   —For sale: Sugar tools, nearly new, very cheep. Inquire of D. Hanly, Solon.

   —Miss Estella Bugbee, of DeRuyter, is visiting Mrs. Oothoudt on Academy street.

   —M. C. Bingham is selling four pairs of Ladies or Gents fine hose for twenty-five cents. 32tf

   —Rev. D. Kendall Smith, of New York, formerly a pastor in the Baptist church in this place, was in town Sunday.

   —Clinton Borthwiek who has been a resident of Marathon for the past year, has removed to McGrawville.—Marathon Independent.

   —J. H. Jacobs will lecture in Association hall in this place, Friday evening of this week, commencing at 7 o'clock. Subject, "The future government of earth as foretold by the prophets." All are invited to be present and hear him.

   —George Larrabee has sold his house and about 2 acres of adjoining land on South street to Fred Garlick, consideration $2,000. Mr. Larrabee reserves a part of the house to live in until April 1, 1888. Garlick takes possession April 1.

   —A running race will take place at Hammond's hall Saturday evening. The races will be three, two and one mile heats for purses, $5 in first, $3 in second, and $2 in third race. Among those entered to run are Clayton Gardner, Will Waters, Frank Wildman and E. W. Hayes.

   —On Saturday night last, Ransom Merrihew, living near Galatia, made an attempt upon his life by cutting his throat with a razor. He has been for some days out of his mind, and on Saturday secured a razor, and hiding himself in a stairway, succeeded in inflicting some quite severe wounds upon his neck, but fortunately did not cut an artery. He is to be placed in an asylum.—Marathon Independent.

   —The quantity of wall paper shipped during the month of January by D. F. Wallace, would paper over ten thousand rooms (allowing ten rolls to a room.) This is the largest wall paper house in central New York, (and by the way the largest but one between New York and Buffalo.) The goods are distributed all through central New York and northern Pennsylvania. The patterns this season are unusually attractive. Orders are coming in freely and heavy shipments will continue throughout the months of February and March.—Cortland Democrat.

   —There is much gusto among a few members of the Young Men's Literary society of this place in anticipation of participating in the open debate next Monday evening. The society has carefully prepared a programme for an evening's entertainment, consisting of a debate on the question "Resolved, that the pleasures of anticipation are greater than those of participation," songs by the glee club, and a roaring farce, "The Yankee Peddler." The entertainment will be given in Association hall and an admission of ten cents will be taken at the door. All are invited and an enjoyable time is promised.

   —The Auburn Seminary Male quartette, assisted by Miss Clara Babcock, soprano, of Syracuse, will give a popular concert in the Presbyterian church of this place, on Friday evening, February 25. This quartette, while its members were in the seminary, sang in Syracuse, Rochester, Oswego and elsewhere, with great acceptance and to large audiences, singing for the second time in Rochester last December to a very appreciative house. The programme will consist of English glees, college songs, plantation melodies of the south, solos, etc., and we bespeak a large attendance the 25th. Tickets for sale at C. A. Jones, and at the post-office on and after Saturday of this week. Admittance 25 cents.

   —A report was circulated last week that Luther Corl and John Frink had traded wives but it seemed to us embryo as we could not learn the facts of the case till after the paper went to press. We now learn that Saturday the 5th inst. two teams came from Groton, and one loaded with Corl's goods while the other took Mrs. Frink's goods and three children and started for Groton. The latter team took the main road while Corl went by the back way and the two met between here and Cortland. Corl's wife is in Scott, where Frink says he has been to see her. However the stink is blowing away and we are glad of it. Frink says that in his trial against Corl the 14th for breaking up his family,  Corl did not appear and he took out a judgment for costs and will take Corl on a body execution.

   —Wanted—To buy a new house and lot, must be reasonable for cash. Apply at the SENTINEL office.

   —Our townsmen, Warren & Carr, are now getting out a dozen wagons per week and have, among other orders, one for a car load to Middletown, N. Y.

   —George Maricle and wife who for the past year have been working in the corset factory in this place, moved to Taylor, Monday, where they will hereafter reside.

   —Miss Anna Lakin of this place accompanied by her aunt, Mrs. J. H. Rease, of Blodgett Mills, went to Washington, D. C., this week, where they will visit relatives and friends.

   —Monday morning about 3 o'clock a horse was found in the creek just above the dam, back of Warren & Carr's wagon shop. Two of our young men took occasion to be "out" that night and on their return home discovered the horse in the predicament mentioned. They at once got the horse out and found it to be covered with a coating of ice. It was some time before the horse could freely navigate. L. Warren was awakened and after looking at the horse said it was Lorenzo Parsons. Mr. Parsons was then sent for and found it to be one of his horses from the livery stable. It was found that the halter was not put on securely and the horse in rambling around raised the hook of the back door and made the exit. The horse was nearly blind and wandered around considerable as was found by the tracks. After a while she must have fallen off into the creek on Center street and thence wandered down into the mill dam in Trout brook. When found she was just on the point of walking over the dam. She had evidently wandered around in deep water for she was soaking wet all over. After considering the condition in which she was found it is strange that she did not take a severe cold.