Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-04-16
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Uty1EFttUAN SSsS
The Legislature has decided to parole
Wesley r. Elkins, the boy murderer from
Clayton County. Ekins at the time Of
the commission of his crime was among
the youngest murderers known to Grim
inal history. and his case attracted wide
attention. During the last ten years at
tempts have been made at every session
of the Legislature to secure his condi-
tional release. In the debate in the SEN
ate the advocates of clemency referred to
the extreme youth of the prisoner, pic
tured the environments of his boy life
as of character to drive him to crime,
pointed to his splendid department in
prison and his aptitude for learning, and
declared the ends of justice had already
been served and it was time that mercy
instead of prejudice should govern In
dealing with the case. Senators oppos-
ing the parole told OF the crime in all Its
details, argued that the boy who had n
murderous streak in him should, not only
as protection to society, but on his own
account, be restrained, characterized him
as abnormal, and protested against an net
which would bring into the world more of
family upon which the criminal faint
rested and in which the weakness to do
vicious acts was so strong. Elkins' crime
was committed in 1880. On the night Of
his 18th birthday, after his parents had
retired, he slipped out to the barn and
secured club, and upon his return took
down the shotgun, and with these killed
both parents. The gun he placed to his
fathers head and pulled the trigger, tear
ing his face entirely away. The step
mother was awakened by the report, and
as she attempted to get up young Elkins
beat her to death with the club. The
boy was engaged in removing the blood
upon his hands when the father, who was
not quite dead, groaned, at which the
youth set upon both with the club. Pro-
fcssor Harlan of Cornell College has
taken great interest in Elkins and has
offered to care for him and become re-
sponsible for his good behavior. Elkins
is now "A years of age. He has been in
prison since 1890.
The weekly weather reports from the
Iowa weather and crop service will COM
mence at once. The preliminary reports
received at the central station indicate
that the season Is going to be an excellent
one-at least there are no adverse indica-
lions at the present time. The month Of
March was much warmer in Iowa than
usual and because of this fact the farm
ers Of the State are reported to have nd
vanced their work far beyond that which
is usual. Some seeding has been done,
but preparation for seeding has been al
most completed in every part of the
state. Fears are expressed by many that
the season will be dry and second
drouth would be disastrous. The season
opens much like that of 1895 when the
spring was very dry, but the crops were
good because of favorable rains during
the early growing season. Il am very
hopeful of good season." said ]. r.
Sage of the crop bureau, "and see moth
ing but encouragement in the present con-
ditions. The ground is in the best posi-
bic condition for spring. The ideal con-
dition to follow would be rainfall well
distributed throughout the growing sea-
son, but we do not need great amount
of rain. have no fear OF ii drouth and
believe we are sure to have good sea-
son on Iowa FARMS"
Great preparations are being made for
the annual encampment of the G. A. r.
of Iowa, which is to be held in this city
May 20 to %. Among the distinguished
men who will be here are General Gren-
vile NJ. Dodge, Governor Van SAINT Of
Minnesota and many Of the noted men,
bers of the ex-Prisoners of War Associa-
ton, the Union Veterans Union, the
Sons and Daughters of Veterans, Span
ish War Veterans and other societies will
be welcomed. a grand parade will be
given the second day of the encampment.
Colonel G. l.. Godfrey is chairman and
X. Nj. j. Coleman secretary of the local
committee on arrangements.
49,
The Des Moines City Railway has vol
unfairly proposed to the City Council to
sell eight tickets for quarter, to be
accepted as fares between the hours Of 6
and a. III. and and p. m. The prop
osition is made with the reservation that
If any other street railway company is
granted franchise the fare will be re-
stored to 5-cent basis.
80
Major Turner, in charge of the con-
struction of the army post of Fort Des
Moines has received full directions from
the War department to take the neces-
sary steps at once looking to the hegin-
ming of the work of construction at the
earliest practicable date. The post is
designed to accommodate full regiment
of cavalry.
Attorney General AIulan has COM
menced suit in court on behalf OF the
State to recover amounts alleged to have
been overcharged the State by State
Binder Young during his term Of office
This is in accordance with a resolution
passed some time ago by the executive
council.
Robert Il. Armstrong, formerly {fsssDes
Mones, and whose parents live aiiE2olk
City, has been appointed private ssre-
tary to Secretary of the Treasury Esflie
NJ. Shaw.