The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-07-19
TOPEKA COUPLE FINED.
Sergeant jenkins Name Drawn
Into Scandal.

The following is from the Leaven-
worth Times of today's issue:
A sensational case was tried In the
city court yesterday afternoon. Mrs.
Jennie Spencer and c. Underwood were
charged with living together. The tes-
timony was exceedingly spicy.
On one side Of the table sat the wo-
man and Underwood. both rather nice
looking and fairly well dressed. On the
other sat the woman's husband. The
latter seemed the most concerned party
and during the county attorneys plea
he shook with sobs. Mrs Spencer
maintained her composure until after
the trial when the sheriff started to
take her to jail. Then she broke down
and cried.
The man and woman were found gull
ty and sentenced to serve thirty days in
Jail and to pay the costs. This was q
very lenient sentence. The law provides
coed six months or a fine not to exceed
$500, or both such fine and imprison-
ment
s. e. Spencer, the husband and COM
planning witness saw his wife yesterday
morning and she promised to go back
and live with him IL he would drop the
prosecution. He wanted to do this as
he evidently loved the woman and was
the county had been put to considerable
expense and County Attorney Michael
refused to dismiss the case. For fear
Spencer should skip out. Michael had
MN put IA jail An0 nSA4 Until Title 4OI
the trial
Spencer was the first witness. He is
in the transfer business in Topeka and
formerly was on the police force there.
He said he married the woman two
years ago. Her name then was Mrs
Jennie Beard. Her first husband got a
divorce from her because of her in
fidelity.
"She left my home in Topeka about
May 15." said Spencer. II learned I'm
derwood had left Topeka also and set
about to find them A roadmaster on
the Missouri Pacific railroad finally told
me he had seen my wife and she said
she was coming to Leavenworth.
II came over here about June Is and
saw Detective Murphy. I promised him
a reward of $50 if he located my wife
for me. He said he would try and I
went back home"
City Detective E. c. Murphy was the
next witness. He seemed very unwill-
ing to testify against the two parties
Notwithstanding his being an officer of
the law. County Attorney Michael tried
of him.
Didn't you arrest Underwood and
Mrs. Spencer one night?"
II did not" answered Murphy.
Didn't you take them to police head
quarters?''
81 did"
what did you do there?"
i had a conversation with them and
LIS SeISShut 4uen l turned tuem
loose"
why didn't you hold them?"
II telephoned over to Topeka police
headquarters and they told me Spen-
Ger, the woman's husband, was no
good"
who did you telephone to in the To-
peka headquarters"
Il don't remember his name, but I've
known him for several years."
WAS his name Jenkins"
II couldn't say"
do you mean to say you've known
| him for years yet don't recognize his
name when you. hear itf"
IT do"
What did he say about Spencer"
| HE said he couldn't raise so cents
| much less $50"
Spencer was then put on the stand
He said Jenkins, the police sergeant in
| charge of police headquarters in To-
| peka, had it in for him. He used to
| go out with my wife and we had trou-
BILE over it. A number OF the Topeka
| policemen used to take her out and
| stay all night. Jenkins was the most
frequent offender. I think he told De-
tectfve Murphy that because of this for
| r1er trouble"