The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-11-12
Topeka Woman Charged With
Murder of Her Infant.
Revolving Story of the Crime
From Albuquerque.
WIFE WAS WORRIED.
Did Not Want Friends to Know
OF Her Condition.
Story of the Inhuman Crime by
Henry.

The Ira Henry case is growing more
complicated Mrs. Henry has now been
detained as an accessory to the murder
of her infant.
The news was kept out Of the Albu-
querque papers for the reason that 1t
was thought that if it reached Mrs
Henry that 1t might result seriously
while she was in a critical condition
Henry has committed a dozen rob-
berries recently and has been under the
surveillance of the police for some time.
His mode of procedure was to ring the
door bell at a house and if it was found
that no one was at home he would enter
the house at the rear door OF in any
other way he could find.
The r'obberies became so mum erouS
that the citizens became alarmed and a
watch was set which resulted in Henry s
arrest.
His arrest for burglary led to the dis
covery that he was a murderer. He let
fall a hint that he had chlOrOformed a
baby, and the officers consulted with
the physician who was with Mrs. Henry
during her confinement The doctor
stated that the child was a healthy
looking young one, and was surprised
to learn when he visited the house the
morning after the birth that the child
was dead. Mrs. Henry said 1T just
threw back its head and died.
The Albuquerque Journa1-Democr'at
of Friday said:
1.-THE officers in endeavoring to induce
Henry to tell of his worst crime, asked
when and where he had been married.
The prisoner said in Topeka August l.
He also admitted that no one in Topeka
had any suspicion that everything had
not been perfectly right You were
anxious that people back at Topeka
shouldn't hear of anything disgraceful?
said the marshal. Yes admitted the
man. You were anxious to be rid of
the child?' pursued the questioner.
The prisoner didn't answer, and the
marshal said, with strong emphasis,
You killed that child Henry denied
the charge, but weakly. DO you want
to be shown the body we took up, and
the traces of chloroforTn?' was the next
question, for the officers had learned OF
Henry's buying chlorofOrm some time
before and had adopted that theory.
The officers assured the prisoner that
they knew the whole story, and the
whole truth would serve better than
ANYTHING else. At this Henry broke
down and made a full confession, try
ing. though, to tighten his response
bility by the world-old, cowardly mas
culine excuse, The woman tempted
me- He said his wife had expressed
a wish that the child could be disposed
Of had suggested ch1oroform, and had
told him how it should be admins
tered. He had secured the stuff, had
then, to make sure, had given another
The Albuquerque Citizen says;
It is stated by neighbors of the Hen
rvs that when the inhuman father re-
turned from the cemetery-NIr. and Mrs.
William Smith going security for the
burial of the child-he tripped into his
house and the cruel mother, raising her
self from the sick bed, remarked IN a
gleeful voice: "Well, how do you feel
since your carriage ride?"
Henry answered back in a happy
frame of mind: IT feel better now"
1t is learned today. after an interview
with friends who knew the Henrys back
in Topeka, that on their arrival here
Mrs Henry expressed regret over her
condition and sent to a drug store, where
medicine was secured to rid her OF her
embarrassment and shame as she ex-
pressed it. This was in August last and
shows that, although failing then to ac-
complish the diabolical purpose, the
young married couple allowed the child
to come to life and then chloroformed
it to death
On October IT, Henry quit his job at
the shops and since that time has appar-
entity done nothing. The JOurnal-Demo-
crat says: HE is a fine looking young
man, always dresses well, used to wear
patent leather shoes to work and was al
ways careful of his personal appearance.
His wife is decidedly handsome When
arrested Henry had only five cents and
two milk checks in his pocket and he
declares that there wasn't a cent of
money in the house He says when he
arrived from Topeka he had only ten
dollars and had to pay the rent with
that. Nevertheless he has been free
enough with money and went to the the
alter every night last week.
In Topeka both Mr.. and Mrs. Henry
belonged to the Third Christian church
and were considered among the best
workers in the Christian Endeavor So
ciety and the church.
Ira Henry had no bad habits, did not
chew or drink and only occasionally
smoked a cigarette. HE nearly always
stayed at home evenings said MrHen-
ry, Ira'S father.
George Henry, his father, and his I'M
Gle, Frank Henry, and Elmer Miller his
cousin, have gone to Albuquerque to in
vestigate and do all in their power to
help him.