The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-02-03
ASKS FOR JUSTICE
MAN IN THE COUNTY JAIL TELLS
HIS STORY.
BE IL Now Under Sentence for Two and .
Half Years In the Penitentiary for
Stealing Meat FROM q Farmer-Has q
Sick Wife asd Nine Helpless Children at
Never Seen Claims His Son-in-Law
Made Oath to Two Conflicting
Stories

Stories.
John Van Valkenburg, now under
| sentence for term of two and half
years in the state penitentiary for steal
| ing some smoked meat from q farmer
| living south Of the poor farm, sent word
down 10 the Eagle Office asking that a
reporter come up and see him. Accord
iIgly yesterday afternoon his request
was complied with. The big north door
was swung open and after stepping in
side il was closed and locked. and the
key returned to Jailer Lee Cones pocket.
Van Valkenourg was found in the TO
tary over on the west side as ii stood at
the time. Most all of the prisoners are
kept in the rotary; few, however, are
over in the cells in the east end. The
man was sitting in his cell waiting. All
of the prisoners were seemingly doing
the same thing-waiting. Some waiting
to go TO the penitentiary at Lansing,
some waiting for trial and some serving
out their Jail sentence. Van Valken-
burg is quiet looking man and seemed
10 feel his incarceration very much, but
as to the disgrace of being there, he said
nothing. He stated that his age was IS
and that he was an old soldier, having
been a member of Company B, First
New York artillery, He is a member Of
the G. A. r. post of this city and he still
wears the badge upon his vest. He told
the story OF his trip from Wichita 10
Wellington and back, buying up old cop
per. iron, bottles and junk of all kinds.
winding up a place south of the Wich-
60 10 Ing Of
ter nightfail to water his jaded horse.
He claims that while he was thus en-
gagged his son-in-law, Colbert. stole two
hams and one shoulder, sixty-five pounds
in all, and placed them under some sacks
in his wagon.
Did you know anything about it as
the time?" was asked him.
NO; / knew nothing of ii at all what
ever until the farmers caught up with
us and found the meat in the wagon. At
the preliminary trial, Colbert swore that
he stole the meat and that | knew moth
ing about il. Justice Jones was 10 all
appearances prejudiced against me. for
ne utterly disregarded the request Of my
a attorney 10 release me upon the evidence
against me. and held over; and in the
trial before the district court he turned
states evidence against me, and swore
that I had stolen the meat when he be-
fore had made affidavit TO the contrary"
He did not speak with scorn or even
OF Justice Jones. but he
said that he felt that ne mad not receiv
ed justice
When got up to plead guilty or not
guilty." he said. Il told the judge that
my lawyer had advised me to plead
guilty. but that l was not guilty, bat as
he had told me that had better do this,
l supposed that I would have TO. They
would not allow my 14-year-old boy TO
testify, as they said that he didn't know
the nature of an oath, and wouldn't let
him testify l don't think L have got
Justice at ali. Now 1 must go to the
for two years and a half
1T hard labor, which l am unable 10
stand. Colbert got nine months in the |
Jail. l tell you. sir, it is very |
hard. l have a wife and nine little ones !
up here on the corner of Tenth and
Fifth avenue The youngest OF my lit |
lie ones is weeks old, and l have never |
seen her and perhaps never will. l cam |
not withstand the hard labor 10 which |
am doomed for so long. long a time"
The man was all broken up over the |
prospect before him. and the prospect for |
him is not very bright TO say the least. |
over on the other side of the jail Colbert (
was found in cell with another prison. |
sr. When questioned concerning the af- |
,air, he glowered in manner which in
Heated that he had rather not be ques-
toned. He refused TO say anything for |
, while. then finally thawed out enough |
. claim that he knew nothing about |
What was being asked him. He later |
claimed that the old man did the steal |
ng, but said nothing further.
The Jail is in excellent condition. Ev-
,rything is as clean as it can well be
Kept The prisoners all look well-fed
md cared for. Charlie Dodrige came
lround the rotary and shaking hands,
aid: Say. you don't know me do
-ou?" Upon being assured that there
vas something about him familiar he
aid: Don't you know Morphine Char
ie? that's me-" He has changed Won
erfully. His clothes are too small for
lin. he has Strengthened up, and is a
eslly fine looking fellow now. He is
the happiest man in town and
he only thing that worries him now is
low he is going TO get a suit of clothes |