The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-03-01
Albert ShenkIe's Fate Settled
in a Few Minutes.
Given Indeterminate Sentence
to the Penitentiary.
HE PLEADED GUILTY.
While Four Companies of the
National Guards
And a Big Mob of Citizens Watt
ed Outside.


CarrolIton, Ill. March 1.-Guarded by
four companies of state militia Albert
Shenkle, who, on December IS last, Grim
inally assaulted the 16-yeaf -oId daugh-
ter OF Charles II. G1uer G. Carrollton,
was early today taken from the county
jail at Springfield, placed on a special
Chicago & Alton train and brought to
Carrollton- Through streets lined with
silent spectators he was hurried to the
court house. An hour after the arrival
Of the train ShenkIe had pleaded guilty,
been promptly given an tndeterminate
sentence by Judge Owen Thompson and
was on his way to the southern Illinois
penitentiary at Chester.
Although threats Of lynching had been
freely made by the citizens of Carroll
ton and although the streets and grounds
around the jail and court house had
been practically patrolled by an armed
mob determined upon using summary
measures ever since it was announced
that Shenl1le would be brought here for
trial there was no disorder attending
Shenkle's arrival and departure.
Apparently the whole population of the
town was gathered around the depot
and along the streets leading to the
court house but the troops forming "a
Gordon around the train as soon as it
stopped and surrounding ShenlSle, when
the latter, heavily shackled and accom-
panied by Sheriff Conlee, aiighted from
the train. prevented any hostile demon
stration, If any had been planned
1t was 7.10 a. m. " hen The special
train bearing the prisoner ana troops
consisting of companies q. D and {,
Fifth Illinois infantry, in command OF
Major J. D. Watkins OF Dalavan, and
the engineer corps OF Springfield, com
manded by Captain Frank Hamilton
drew in at the station Even before the
train had stopped. the troops had lined
up along the sides OF the cars, keeping
the crowd a a respectful distance The
prisoner was the last man % leave the
train. He was Immediately stationed
in the second line Of troops, guarded by
the sheriff. The prisoner with apparent
unconcern, pulled at . cigarette as the
column began the march down the street
leading from the station to the court
house. about three-qaarter$ OF mile
distant. The march was without irci-
dent Shenkle was escorted into the
court room by the troops under COM
mand Of Adjutant General Reece, which
building. None but court attaches. a
squad of militia and newspaper corre-
spondents were allowed in the court
room and when Judge Thompson finally
took his seat, the proceedings bore all
the aspects of a military trial NO I'M
necessary time was wasted In prelirn-
inaries- The warrant charging Shenkle
with criminal assault on nItle Grace
Giller was read and the prisoner asked
what plea he would make.
Il plead guilty" said Shenl1le-
THE judgment on your plea is that
you viii be confined in the penitentiary
at Chester, there to remain until you are
discharged in the due process of the
law" said Judge Thompson
Shenkle flushed. bit his lips. then sat
down.
Sheriff Conlee arose and without a
word the condemned prisoner extended |
his hands for the shackles. A moment |
later the militia formed a guard around
the sheriff and his prisoner, and started |
down the street for the station. Within |
FIVE minutes after their arrival the train |
departed for Chester.
At Godfrey twenty members Of the |
engineer company of Springfield took |
charge Of Shenkle. He was taken as far |
as East st. Louis on the sDeciaT train |
under escort and then turned over to |
Sheriff Conlee, who proceeded with him |
to the Chester penitentiaIy The re
1nainder of the troops returned on their |
special train to Springfield, where they !
disbanded.
ShenixIe made a full confession Of his |
crime to an Associated Press correspcn-
dent this morning while en- route f1om |
Springfield to CarrOllton-
IT would never have done it If had Il
not been drunk said Shenkle. Il don't /
know what made me do il, IL it was 4
derstand what 1 was doing and made 4
no attempt to run away"
The chief concern Of the prisoner ap-
peared to be regarding the length Of his Il
term Of imprisonment
II am going to plead guilty. he said. /
II know I could beat the care If stood 4
trial, but what chance has fellow got /
when mob is after him. 1 would /
rather go to the penisentiary for q year Il
or SO than be hanged