St. Landry democrat., 1883-06-30
THE BORDEN HOMICIDE.
.An Interview with the Wife of ihe
Slain Man.

Slain Man.
she 4selieves i'm Her Husbands Inno-
eence, and Declares that Miss Butlcr
WAS Not Engaged TO VAR. j Jenkins.
Special to Times Demcrat
MANSFIELD, June 2O.-On the meeting
of the District Court to-day, Judge Lo-
gan presiding, the preliminary trial of
the Jenkins brothers was called.
j. l.. Scales, Esq, of counsel for the
defense, asked to have the case cOntln-
ned until to- morrow morning to give
time to prepare for the defense.
Judge Logan said if the object was to
argue at that time the right of defend
ants not to go into trial he would not
continue the matter. Col. Scales said
the object was to get ready for the trial
instead of delaying it. 1t was then con-
tlnued until tomorrow.
The Times Democrat reporter to-day
sought Mrs. Ollie Borden, widow of the
Rev. j. L. Bordan, and during the in
terview learned that they were married
IN Monroe, La, and that she was Miss
Ollie Sheppard. She says that on the
morning of the unhappy occurrence,
which deprived her of her loved one,
he left home in his usual cheerful frame
of mind, going down to collect some To-
cal bills for tuition; that he had been
absent but short time before the sad
tidings of his untimely death was
brought to her. OF Mr.. jenkins she
spoke freely, as he had visited her fami-
ly with great intimacy during the ses-.
sion, calling to see Mr.. Borden's neice,
Miss Zadee Burr, frequently remaining
quite late at night, and sometimes in
the family bedroom on cold nights,
when there would be no fire in the par
aor.
On the 9th of last April. Miss Burr's
birthday, he made preparation for re-
freshments down town-turkey, cakes,
the college dining hall, a birthday sup
per.
On the evening Of May 80 last Mr..
jenkins, with Rev. Mr.. Stephens of
Natchitoches, called to see Miss Burr
and some other young ladies. Miss
Burr was quite busy at the time with
the calisthenics class, and was detained
so long that the gentlemen left before
she could make her appearance in the
parlor. She met him down town later
the same evening and he refused to
speak to her, and think he was offend
ed, as he never visited her after that
time, and pointedly avoided her.
This was prior to his attentions to Miss
Mary Butler.
Some days since remarked to Miss
Butler that Mr.. Jenkins was in town.
She replied that she did not care if she
never saw him again. do not think they
were engaged, for know her TO be en-
gagged to Mr.. Pickens of Rapides par
ish. Some two or three weeks since she
I,nf Ar 80
perform the marriage ceremony and
which would be as soon after her ar
rival at home as she could get ready.
4 knew that much preparation had been
made for her wedding.
She was very intimate with our fami
ignore SO than any one else.
She even told me the contents Of all
letters from home. She and her sister
were very devoted to their brothers,
even writing them of all little incidents
and occurrences at the college, telling
them when they would miss lesson or
be detained after reception hours.
In November large number of our
and pupils, with my family,
went on an excursion with the Misses
Butler to their home, where we re-
manned from Friday until Sunday
evening, during which time Mr..
Pickens called to see Miss Butler quite
and it was well known that
they were engaged at that time.
On Tuesday evening, before the clos |
ing exercises on Wednesday, Mr.. Jen-
kins asked Mr.. Borden's permission to
take a buggy ride with Miss Butler,
which he declined to allow, as long as
She remained a student. On Wednes-
day afternoon, after the closing exer-
eises, be did take ride with her.
Mr.. Borden always spoke highly and
kindly of Jenkins, and Mrs. Borden
knew of no reason tor his (Jenkin's)
course. She has every confidence in
her husbands integrity. He was al
ways delicate and modest, even in the
privacy of his own room. His inter-
course with every one was devoid Of
Mrs. Borden's grief and distress was
very evident during the interview.
Elected at the Ex-
animation.
MANSFIELD, June 21.-The District
court met at the usual hour. The pre-
iminary examination was continued
md all the counsel were present, with
". H. Wise, Esq, and ]. Henry Shep-
,ard, Esq, OF Shreveport. added for the
tate. All the parties announced them
elves ready to proceed.
Thomas j. Williams being sworn,
estified that he was standing in front
f Berry g. Walkers store when Mr..
sorden was killed. Heard pistol shot
4 the direction of Jenkins store; saw
'orden on the sidewalk, just in front of
he store, with his face toward the door.
To was bending forward. clasning both