Evening journal., 1894-02-21
WHY HENKE DIDN'T STAY
Accused Of Bestlal Crimes and
Driven From Town.
BEGGED FOR A FEW DAYS GRACE

Not Fight the High Bridge Issue II the
Majority OF People Want Higher
Bridge.
Special Correspondence Evening Journal.
NRw CASTLE, Feb. 2l-Lsst evening
= committee composed Of Mayor Herbert,
Professor Knapp and Attorney John II
Rodney, called on Merchant John Henke,
who has a small store at the northeast
corner Of Delaware and Fourth streets,
and gave him q most surprising alter
native. For some time past there have
been rumors circulating through this
city that too many young boys hung
around his store. PRINCIPAL Knapp
noticed dullness In some Of his pupils,
which was quite In contrast with their
genial disposition, and after closely
questioning one OF two, found out that
John had been in the habit of inculcat-
ing habits Of the grossest indecency
among them. The boys. after having
each received a wholesome lecture and
good solid advice from their shrewd
principal, were closely watched for sew.
ersl days and a gradual, though marked
Improvement, became noticeable. Vague
intimations as to the nature Of the
lecture were breathed about, but gem
orally not credited. as John always
seemed to be an upright man and was
a constant attendant At church, aud
was apparently very devout Bat
at length, the matter became
such public scandal that the visit OF
the three gentlemen mentioned above,
ended It last night Mr. Rodney was
very indignant and spoke with much
vehemence He accused him openly OF
his outrageous conduct, aud then asked
him whether he had anything TO say in
his defense. John was too badly frightened
at this sudden exposure Of his lewdness
that he answered neither accusation nor
spoke in his oWn behalf Mr. Rodney
then said; "You infamous scoundrel-
/ will give you forty eight hours 10 leave
this town, and II you are not gone in
that time, you will have TO abide by the
consequences. You should be kicked out
OF the community" Henke asked To re
main until the 25th Of March, but the
mayor broke in saying; "As long as you
will be unable 10 leave In forty eight
hours. we will give you ten days, or
until March first. II however, by that
time you are not gone, you will be most
severely dealt with John seems 10 be
in badly shattered condition from the
effects of his crimes.
Henke left this city at 10 IA last night,
allowing no grass TO grow under his
feet. He boarded the Old Point express
AZ Wilmington. aud left at midnight for
Norfolk. He carried large stock OF
dry goods and notions. aud had the
reputation Of being a careful, though
miserly business msu. II is said that
there are two provisions on the Delaware
statute books by which he could have
been sent TO all for years, aud he
evidently knew this Henke's goods
will probably be shipped to him in a
special freight car, or disposed Of Al
public vendue by old friends Of the
vicious merchant
True Position of the City's Mayor.
In an interview with the mayor last
evening, he stated that there seemed to
be misunderstanding on the part Of
the railroad people as TO his stand IN
reference to the high bridge He spoke
substantially as follows:
The impression is abroad that I am
opposed to granting the Delaware Rail
voad Company any privileges whatever,
whether for or against the interest OF
the town. That Is certainly very wrOn z
impression. / have no IN will against
the company or any Of its officials They
have always treated me with the best Of
kindness. and want to say right here
that the railroad company is benefit to
the people Of this town as a common
carrier Of freight and passengers, aud /
assure YOU it has been great convent
ence q. never but once made any
rem iinst said company aud that
W & the electric railroad fight
road senators were fighting my
nd butter. My great objection TO
,ompany is It's willful neglect of
river front possession. IL Is GER
My In a dilapidsted condition and
ooner or later, unless some repairs are
made, great storm will inundate the
southern port on Of our city. AS regards
the overhead bridge so far as am in
dividualy concerned, don't care how
high they raise It. But for the city',
interest contend that Il is detrimenl
10 the development Of that portion of tn,
city. / have always been In favor o.
taking the bridge away. II this canno
be done, and Mr.. Holiday can carry on
his proposition to telford the approach
for a distance Of one hundred yards. m
In drains to carry of surplus water. plac
guards along the approaches. withou
further depreciating the value Of tn
land adjacent thereto, and II their sol
object ia raising the bridge Is for tn
purpose Of saving the lives Of their en-
ployes, and is not for the purpose q
raising their track to take of the Farm
hurst grade. then l say for myself, rails
the bridge
City Council met In special sessio
last night to take some action on th
bridge question. but could not transa,
any business. Messfs Martin. Etchell
Frazer and Phillips were already to 7
ahead, but President Holschumaker 81
not appear and the city fathers wei
unable 70 act upon the important Que
tion without him aud Mr. Taylor.
She's No More Use for Coal.
Passing up the river yesterday was n
tlced the 6rst steamship TO cross the A
lantic burning only liquid fuel. q
British steamship Bsku Standard. a bu
oil carrier, FROM Shields and Dartmout
The trip was an unusually trying on
the vessel having b zen caught in Arct
drift ice and detained so long that tl
passage required twenty six days n