The Portland daily press., 1901-02-22
BALLARD BOY ARRESTED.
Charged With Killing
Mrs. Jenkins.
People Not Satisfied Shooting Was
an Accident.
The Boy Again Relates
Circumstances.
Protests That Shooting Was
Only an Accident.

Dover, N. H., February 21.-Frank
Ballard, fifteen years OF ags. Is confined
In the STAFFORD county Jail tonight,
charged with the murder OF Mrs. jose
phine E. jenkins, at Leo Hook, In the
town OF Lee on Monday last. After the
shooting, Acting Coroner John X. Ham
of this city visit d the scene and ques-
toned all parties present with regard to
the matter and at that time II was the
general opinion of all that the shooting
was accidental. 1t now seems that the
people OF Lee are not satisfied that Mrs.
jenkins was accidentally shot Her son,
Ellery ID. Jenkins OF Lowell, Mass oama
here yesterday and had consultation
with County Solicitor Scott over the
affair. He informed that official that new
facts had been brought to light which
made the case look suspicious. This
morning County Solicitor Scott, accom-
panied by Deputy Sheriff W. w. Cush-
man, went to the jenkins residence In
Lee and at the conclusion OF the exami-
nation of several people, complaint
was sworn out by ElIery ID. jenkins,
charging Frank Ballard with the murder
OF Mrs. Josephine K. jenkins by shoot
Ing on February ls Ballard was then
placed under arrest by Deputy Sheriff
Cushman and brought to this city to-
night. Ballard says that he is innocent
and that the shooting was purely aoci-
dental that no one feels more keenly the
result OF the sad affair than he. Said he:
Mrs. Jenkins was always very kind TO
me, and we never had any trouble. Had
she been my mother, she could no. have
been more kind TO me-"
With tears In his eyes, he then ex-
planned how the shooting oourrsd. He
said:
81 did not understand the use of fire.
arms and had never handled a gun.
had been told by Mr.. Jenkins never to
touch the gun, but had a strong desire to
learn how to shoot it. After Mir. jenkins
left the house on that Monday morning,
Mrs jenkins went to the yard to hang
out her washing. thought It would be
a good time TO try the gun. went to the
shelf where the cartridges were kept and
got five. I then got the gun and went to
the woodEhed. The kitchen door was
open ana i stood with one foot on the
step, and the other on the kitchen door.
The door between the kitchen and dining
room was also open and the muzzle OF
the gun was pointed through the kitchen.
l put two cartridges In the gun, then
snapped IL back In position for shooting.
| went to raise the hammer Of the gun
when my thumb slipped and the hammer
flew back. heard a scream and when
Mrs jenkins lying On the floor. did
not see her before tue gun was dis
charged. was SO badly frightened did
not know what to do. finally threw the
cartridge away out in the field and put
the gun back where found 1t, 1 ran to
the house OF Sargent Jenkins where toll
him that someone had shot Mrs. jenkins
| afterwards told him the man who shot
her ran down the cellar stairs. 1 was
SO frightened did not know what to do
or say, but finally ON being questioned,
confessed shat did the shooting"
Ballard went 20 the Jenkins home last
January being taken by them from q
home In Boston. The prisoner says he
has two sisters who are well-to-do resid-
ing In Massachusetts but he refuses to
give their addresses, as he does not wish
to Disgrace them. After Ballard was
brought to this city, several of his friends
retained Col Ernest b. Folsom TO defend
him. He will be given q preliminary
hearing Saturday morning.