The New York herald., 1871-02-24
A UNITED STATES REV NUE. OFFICER
MURDERED.
From the St. Louis Republican. Feb. 2n.l


respecting a tragedy at New Madrid, Missouri,
we Wednesday night. Els T. Jenkins Deputy Collector
States Deputy Marshal for the Eastern district OF
Missouri under Judge Newcomb was assasslnated
being shot dead through the window, there being at
the time several olner people III the room. Mr.. Jen
kins was formerly stationed at New Madrid but on
the reduction OF the number OF officers ne was
removed TO Cape Girardeau, which has since been his
headquarters Last week some revenue business
took him to New Madrid. aud he remained there
several days. On Wednesday he had some angry
words with the son of the present Shern or New
Madrid county, VINO was accompanied by several
other parties and IT is said revolvers were drawn
but no shots were fired, and the party finally sepa-
rated without any person being hurt. That night,
between eight and nine O'Clock, as jenkins was
standing in the sitting room talking 10 some other
partles pistol or gun shot was heard Immediately
outside the window, and he fell to the ground fatally
wounded and soon alter expired. The tragedy ere :.
ated wild excitement at ne time, but up to the
present there Is no report OF any person being
rested for the crime.
There is to believe that the motive for this
cold-booded murder Is not of recent origin, but
dates back to events and feelings connected with the
war. Deputy jenkins was bold and resolute man,
somewhat reckless and tf great personal daring.
self with the Confederate cause. He was captured
In Dunklln County, and subsequently joined the
Union army and acted as a spy throughout the
southeastern counties and IN other parts, and this
action OF his naturally created a bitter feeling
against hlm among hS former associates. AT the
close OF the he remained In government service
as deputy marshal. and served in that ca-.acity
uHuer TIE Iale COlOnei Rogers. his courageous ana
reckless spirit led him not to avoid the sections of
country where MS war record mad made him ene-
mics, and ne shrank from no enterprise. no matter
how great the danger. About two years ago, in
the prosecution OF his duty, he was assailed
by a party OF men, but escaped without serl-
GUS injury, having shot and, it is believed,
killed two OF his assallants. He went to Dunklin
county last year to make some seizures, ana came
across man who had an old grudge against hllri.
His life was agan In extreme jeopardy, and he only
escaped by driving his horse at furlous rate over
the rough country roads. SO terribly did he press
the animal that 1t fell dead on the road, having
however carried It's master beyond the reach OF
danger. These perils and har.breadth escapes made
him more careless. and his career is now closed by
assassination IN the night He was twenty-eght
years OF age and unniNrled. Comparatively re-
Gently he made seizures OF property for violations of
the Revenue law IN Boinger, st. francois and Cape
Glrardeau countless; but in several instances the
property was stolen by unknown parties from the
places where 1t was deposited, and from this and
other indications 1t was evident that he was work
Ing among men reckless and daring, ana many or
whom were his personal enemies
Mr.. Lindsey Murdoch, United States Collector for
the Second district has by tins time been Informed
OF the ASSASSINATION, and doubtless energetic mea-
sures Will be taken TO capture the murderer
dererS