The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-05-14


Henry b. Jonkins-History of the Phoenix
bank DefaIcatien-Au Old Nuns Crime,
Folly and Punishment, &c.
At half one O'Clock on Saturday morning In ono
Of the ward rooms OF st. Lukes Hospital the curtain
fell on the last scene Of Of the most remarkable
dramas OF crime which has been recorded in many
years. At that hour Henry B. Jenkins the defaulting
teller OF the Phoenix Bank died. in the year OF
his age and the second Of his Incarceration broken
down by the remorse and fearful mental suffering con-
sequent upon the crime with which he stood charged
The facts Of tho case briefly IS follows :--On the
afternoon Of August TO- 1885, Henry B. Jenkins was ar
rested on the complaint Of John Parker cashier Of the
Phoenix Bank, charge Of embezzlement and ON the
same day was locked up to await examination The
amount OF his dcfacatons after days spent in
inspecting his books, ascertaned to be. about
$500 000 and his mournful fate stands out in bod and
terrible relief fearful example OF the consequences
Of yielding to the temptation of dishonesty The
fortunate man died in almost absolute want Save only
such minstrations as his relatives and friends were
wont to bestow upon him in his hours Of affection The
money which be SO rcckessy or thoughtlessly con-
vertcd to unlawful vanished like a mist ia
less time than IL had occupied him In appropriatIng
It For some time previous TO his detection and
arrest he appears TO have fallen into the hands of others
whose designs seemed to be to the gains
20 DO James Earle, person who had formerly
pied the position Of bookkeeper In the bank and who
mao oeg S, aoou. six months This
OF the funds and the false balancing books and
his share Of the ilgottsn proceeds about
Jenkins was arrested, Earle also was taken into
custody and locked up in coll Of the Twenty.
ninth precinct station house. For time during
the evening he conversed pleasantly but consequently
became apparently depressed and laid down sleep.
shortly after eleven O'Clock. That sleep but the
IF he svpt,o nka.1
man was destined soon TO be enwrapped Al eight
O'Clock the following morning officer entered the
and stir An open peuknife . pool or blood ana a
CHASTITY wound his throat told the fearful story The
defaulter's accomplish had committed suicide In his
pocket was found brief note Of farewell to rea
tives, prayer for the future OF his little surviving
child and request that he might BE- buried beside his
The other persons most prominently connected with
Jenkins in his crime wero Genevievs Lyons
alias We've Browcr, . waiter girl in Broad
way concer saloon; her paramour, Charles Davis.
alias Sam Brewer, and member Of the densi- words
named R0A Frazer To the former he had evinced con-
q ussy
elegant apartments for her In Blocker street. The
girl We've gave small sums Of money TO her paramour,
Davis, and no also occasionally requested loans OF
various amounts from Jenkns which were always
rendered. sNo threatsn said jenkins. ''wsre necess
ssry TO 9 man In my position" Davis knew enough Of
Rosa Frazer engaged the attention OF the betrayed
and unhappy man for period. and his VISITS were fire.
Pso~o VI
numerous sums Of money and, among other valuable
articles. handsome cluster diamond ring valued at
$1,000 Her acquisitions, however, proved
donor.
comparatively calm and resigned and all unwilling
with the few visitors who obtained
hts cell Al several interviews with friends he expressed
himself h manner which would indicate that he
lss saappy ser bis than while liberty rsvs
ing IN career Of luxury, elegance. prOnig.oy md
abandon. During those houn when he bestowed money
squanderingy all those for whom no conceived an
attachments passing feeling OF fsndshp he seemed
which oulvercd above his head and brought shame and
. dismal rstribusion Ia its fall
After several examinations before the Essex Market
Police Court. which resulted In unfolding undonable
proofs of his guilt he was committed for trial. At the
September term, 1885, Of the Court Of General Sessions
larceny and the 14h Of the same month he poaded
not guilty. His trial was set down for the following
Monday but on that day postponed until the snsu
ing Friday. On Friday IL again postponed. indeh
ntey, and greater tribunal than thai OF man has
called the criminal the bar OF unAlterable and
impeachably just re.rbation.
Thss closed the shadows OF death around Q brow
shaded through maturity OF years with that honorable
frost which OF itself commands respect and veneraon
much more whore the integrity and purity Of the
character has been preserved through the silvering
years chaste and unbiemished the honored gray
tresses.
Daring his several examinations little ever cleaned
the antecedents Of the now departed man,
but II Is asserted that he was native OF Western Now
York, and Of highiy respectable family He had
BEEN n time OF his detection In the employ OF the
Phoenix Bank for twenty years and had during that pc
nod been regarded rrsproachaby honest though had
an examination of his books been years prior
10 the ultimate exposure 10 IL believed that they would
have exhibited deficiency. He OF naturally quiet
and unobtrusive temperament and this fact OF itself
would have served TO dsarm suspicion had II
ever arose. as in . majority Of instances
dsfsulter 10 q fast and dashng man. His bal
ances always appeared. on the books scrupulousy
exact and this peculiar ooecness attributed 70 the
fact OF his unusual sowness rather than to studied
attention for the purpose OF concealing his maappro
He had habit OF carelessness In almost
but the keeping OF hs books and upon
ierng counting would usually throw his coat
in ono place. his hat gloves In another and hts loose
papers generally in like disorder. The only assets
OF value he possessed at tho time OF his arrest were
few thousand dollars worth OF shares petroleum
stock a. he did not keep house, but boarded in a
private family Union place. He leaves wife, most
cstmable lady, and four children 70 mourn husband
and parents fatal indiscretion.