Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-10-31
THE GALLONS,
JENKINS HANGED.
HIS DYING CONFESSION.
Why He Killed HIS WiFe.
JEALOUSY AND WHISKY.
The Crime. the Arrest. the
Trial, Conviction and sem
tenCe Of the Criminal.
LAST HOURS
TIE EIECETFO.T.

The crime for which George W. jenkins suf-
fered an ignomnicus death on the galows in
this city to-day was one of the most horrible IL at
has ever darkened the criminal annals of the
District of Columbia. 1t was evidently COM
mitted with fiendish deliberation, and induced
by unfOunded Jealousy Intensified and rendered
uncomfortable by strong drink. The offence ex-
plated by Jenkins was the murder OF his wife
with butchers cleaver, early on the morning
OF Tuesday, May 14th last, i'll the two-story
br OK dwelling, No. 1922 L street, a few doors
west OF Vermont avenue.
TIE FIRST SUSPICIOUS
OF aTTthing wrong were aroused in the mind OF
Robert, an elder brother of the murderer, who,
CT going to the house to see George, at Q O'Clock
in the morning. found it closed, and on InGu5r-
ing ofthe two children playing in the yard where
their mother a., one said ''M0ther is up stairs
dead" Impressed with the belief that there
was something wrong, he communicated his
suspicious 10 police headquarters and orders
were at once dispatched to Lieut.. Greer, COM
manding the police Of the 18th precinct, t. force
the door and investigate the matter. This was
done, and on the second floor was found the
dead body OF Mrs. Jenkins, lying in bed in her
night dress, while the bed clothing was dripping
with blood, and pools of clotted gore stood on
the floor in many places Further Investigation
revealed the face beyond a doubt. that
SHE HAD BEEN BRUTALLY MURDERED
with heavy butchers cleayer, used tor chop
ping meat, as such an implement was found
near the stairs, stained with blood. The muir
ttIcE Hdu tNlUeHIly aSSallGI ner While she was
asleep, first dealing her q terrible blow on the
throat, severing the jugular and wind-pipe, and
following UP the tendish onslaught with several
blows on the face, neck and shoulders. The
fact that Jenkins had not made his appearance
at the hotel where he was employed that day
and that he was known TO be very Jealous of his
WIFE led to the general conviction that he was
the murderer, and when Ii was ascertained that
only that morning he had borrowed Butchers
cleayer from the store of Messrs. Beckwith &
Huntley, opposite, under the pretence of want
ing II 10 chop some meat, the conviction was
dOubly strong.
THE INQUEST ON THE BODY OF THE VICTIM
The deputy coroner, DIR. Hartigan, held an
inquest over the body on the afternoon of the
discovery Of the murder, and the police. under
instructions from the superintendent, made ex-
uaordinary efforts TO arrest the prisoner. who
was supposed by some to have made his way
towards Jamestown, nj ontgOmery county, Md.
near which place he was born. The body of
the victim. who in life was a remarkably fine
looking young woman, was removed to the resi-
dence OF Mrs. Ball, her sister, at No. l31 l.
street, where, after it had been attired for
burial, it was visited by immense crowds OF
people. On the day following, THURSDAY, MAY
lGth.l tie funeral took place from the Asbury
NJ. r.. Church, large c0nc0urSe following the
corpse 10 the Harmonial cemetery, in the
county.
SKETCH OF THE MURDERED WOMAN.
As we have remarked, Mrs. Jenkins the vic
tim, was ne-lOOklng woman, OF bright vel
low color. She possessed regular features, had
q very pleasant address, and was of lively dis
POSITION She was at the Tune OF her death only
few months over twenty years OF age. Her
maiden name was COrnela Boston, and she was
born and raised in the District of Columbia
where she received a little schooling. In the
year 1866 she protesSed religion, and Joined the
Asbury M. T.. church, corner of 18th and X
streets, her husband joining the church at the
same time. 1t was at this church she attended
Sunday school, and here she made the acluaint-
ance OF George w. jenkins, who subsequently,
became her husband. She was regarded by her
associates and acquaintance as a woman of ex-
cellent character, and Rev. Waters Foreman,
OF AsDury church, on the occasion of her fu
neral, paid high tribute to her character as a
Christian. She was good seamstreSs, and a.
such worked industriOusly to aid in supporting
her family.
THE MURDERER,
George w. Jenkins, was born in Montgomery
county, Md, and came here with his mother
anu brother when very young. He lost his father
seyeral years ago, and resided most of the time
In the first ward, where he attended school, and
learned to read and write. During the war he
was employed PIT Hurdles corral, near Kendall
Green. and at Capt. Tompkins office, in the
INST ward. He was regarded there as a good
boy, not given to a single vice, as tar as was
known; aud, indeed, up to the time OF his mar
risge, IL Is stated that he was never seen drunk.
After leaving the quartermaster's depart nent
he was employed at Welcker's hotel, ami his
employer testlfies that during the four years he
was in his service he regarded him as a good
quiet and sober young man. He left Welcker's
in December last, and obtained employment at
WOTmley's hotel, and there he was regarded as
a young man OF good character. In personal
appearance he was rather progressing, being
OF a light yellow color, with regular features
and brown eyes. He wore a small mustache
and was feet 10 inches in height, and OF rather
slim build. During his incarceration in Jail he
generally wore gray pants, white shirt, and "A
blue blouse, and when on trial Was dressed in
suit OF black.
The Arrest and Trial.
On Wednesday night, May 18th, after several
houses had been searched for the murderer
unSuccessfully, jenkins suddenly appeared al
the 9th precinct station house CORNER of 9th
and h streets, and walking up to the railing
informed the ststiOn-keeper, MIR. j. w. Gun
nell, that he was George W. Jenkins, and had
come to give himself up. Sergeant Seibold,
who was present, at once took h IN into CUSTODY
and he was taken TO police headquarters the
same night. and while there stated III At he knew
ne had done something criminal, his recUlec-
tons OF which were vague and indistinct On
the following day ne was committed TO Jail 10
await the action of the courts iii his case.
CONVICTED OF The CRIME.
FROM the hrst the condemned man seemed to
nave no hopes of escaping the galows. anu
made no preparation for d, fence. When
arraigned he stated that he had no counsel
MIR. A. G. Riddle and Mr.. G. y. Thomas had
however, been solicited by Jenkins friends to
defend him, which they did. The trial was
commenced on the 2d instant AMI concluded on
the Sd with a verdict OF guilty" On the day
following Judge Humphreys passed the sem
ton whether he had anything 10 say why sem
tenee should not be pronounced upon him saying:
Nothing save L was not myself at the time
and II Il Is possible to save my neck hope you
VIII do it; but if you cannot, let Gods will be
done; i will be satisfied" He was ably de-
Tended, but there being 10 errors committed
during the trial, and no eXtenuating circum-
stances connected with the case, no good
grounds could be found upon which to base an
application for a new trial.
AN AfPEAL FOR EXECUTIVE CLRMESCY.
ms counsel and few friends, however, did
not desert him, and in short time petition
was put in circulation by. them for a connuta-
tlOn OF the sentence, and this petition was pre-
sehled 10 President Grant last week. Accom-
Eahyihg this paper were individual petitions of
Il: IA. meaning, James WOrmely and John
"eICAeI: The papers were referred to the At
OIhey General, and ON Monday last United
States District Attorney Fisher was directed 10
report on the case NOu "
JUDGE FISHER REPORTS ADVERSELY
de thereupon made the following renort
George w. jenkins was married 10 The de-
ceased about four years ago, and lived with her
as husband for year or two, when a sen ration
took place. By the advice of friends they again
lived as man and wife until about the LIST of VI ay
when he drove her from his house aud threat,
ened her life. This threat was subsequently re-
peated, and as late as two weeks previous to her
death he declared his purpose to cut her throat
The cause OF his anger seemed to be jealousy