Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-04-05
COUPLE INDICTED
Mercer County Grand Jury Hold
Archibald Mckinney and
Wife
FOR CRUELTY TO CHILD
Grady Girl Tells of Terrible Torture,
and Exhibits Numerous Scars
and Wounds.

The grand jury at Aledo has return
ed indictments against Archibald Nc
Kinney and his wife, May Mckinney
Sheriff NJ. B. Lawrence Immediately
took Mr. Mckinney into custody, but
he was released upon giving bond in
the sum of $1,000.
Mrs. Mckinney is sick in bed at her
home and action against her will be de-
ferred for a few days. She, too, will
give bonds in the same amount. The
charge which is preferred against them
is cruelty to children, the alleged vic
tim being Stella Grady, and the penalty
as provided in special statute of the
state of Illinois is a fine of not less
than 800 nor more than $500, or i'm
pIisonment in the penitentiary for a
period of not less than one year nor
more than five years
There is but little to add to the
story as published in the Argus. The
circumstances and the charges, how
ever, take on an added interest in view
of the prominence of the Mckinney
family, and the terrible cruelty and
torture which is charged. The Nc
kinncys are well known in Rock ISL
and.
Tells of Girls Good Health.
The case was presented to the
grand jury by States Attorney w. J.
Graham. Four witnesses were called
relative to the investigation. Among
them was Mrs. Martha c. Falkner, as
sistant superintendent of the receiv-
ing school for homeless children at
Englewood. This institution is under
the auspices of the Illinois Home and
Aid society. Mrs. Falkner states that
when the girl was taken from the
school to be placed in the home, she
was in good health and that none of
the marks and scars which she now
bears were upon her. She had no
growth over her eye and there was no
bone broken in her hand.
Stella Grady the girl who is the al
eyed victim of the cruelty which is
:harged in the indictments. was also
:al.cd before the grand jury and testi-
fed. Miss Grady made her charges di-
rect. She accuses Mrs. Mckinney
with beating her, says that the bump
was caused by a blow from a broom
handle early last fall, that the marks
and scars on her back were made by
the use of forks and scissors, and that
the break in her right hand was made
when she was struck with stick of
stovewOod.
Clothing Clothed With Blood.
To a reporter she told a vivid story
OF her sufferings and of the miserable
life which she was compelled to lead.
The sight of the scars and wounds
upon her back were almost unbear-
able. Her clothing was pierced and
still clotted with blood. Her story had
great weight with the jury and TIE
vote an returning the indictments is
said to have been unanimous
The case if tried this term will be
heard before Judge Graves. 1t is prob
able, according to the latest informa-
ton, that an attempt will be made to
continue the trial until the September
term. Attorney George A. Cooke has
been retained as counsel for the de-
Tense.
The case promises to be one of the
most sensational that has come up in
recent years. Mrs. Mckinney was a
Philleo before her marriage to Mr.
Mckinney. She has been prominent
in church and social circles in Aledo
for years.
Biames Mrs. Mckinney Only.
Her numerous friends are loathe to
believe the accusations made against
her. Mr.. Mckinney has been one of
the leading men of the community
He is the principal stakeholder in the
AledO Times-Record and a foremost
member of the Presbyterian church
In her statement Miss Grady spoke of /,
Mr.. Mckinney as having treated her
only in kindly manner ever since she |
was a member of the household. Her
charges are confined to Mrs. McKin- |
ney
Miss Grady has been staying at the |
home of Miss Margaret Gilmore. in |
Aledo. since she was taken from the |
Mckinney residence Here she has |
been undergoing treatment. and the |
wounds and bruises which she still |
bears are slowly yielding to the care |
which is bestowed upon her. The case
was first taken up by members of the |
w c. T. L. and Miss Grady's condi- |
tiCn was brought to the attention o. /
zoe authorities OF the society and of /
the state through the efforts of that /