The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1909-06-03
death SENTENCE
FOR JOHN JUNK|N
Jury Came in With That Verdict at
ESQ Last Night.
WILL BE HANGED NEXT YEAR
Big Crowd Gathers to Watch Prisoner
as he Was Taken From Jail to
Special Train Enroute to
the Penitentiary.

Centerviile, Ia, June John Jun
kin, self-confessed slayer of Clara
Rosen, an Ottumwa choir singer, the
night of Feb. 5 last, must die for
his crime. The jury after less than
four hours elaboration returned a
verdict last night at 1850 o'clock OF
guilty of murder IN the first degree
and fixed the penalty at death by
hanging.
Judge NJ A. Roberts Immediately
passed sentence upon the negro and
set the last Friday of July, 1910, as
the day of execution.
Under the state laws of Iowa the
date of execution must be removed
from the date of sentence at least
one year This is Tor the purpose OF
giving the defense sufficient time to
perfect an appeal to the supreme
court.
Verdict is keao.
The sheriff notified the attorneys In
the case that the jury had agreed at
1880 o'clock and Immediately there
was stir and the news passed around
that there would be verdict. Peo-
pie fiocked to the court room and
soon the rom was filled to overlooking.
A great crowd gathered in the court
house square and the greatest sus-
pense existed for time. There were
no women in the court room when the
verdict was handed down.
Junkin was brought into the court
.,.l icf
ing of Chief Guard William Dray, as
sisted by William Sitter, william I'm
derwood and George Payton. Junkin
trembled like a leaf and could scarce
ly stand. He cast futive glances at
the crowd and hid his face in his
sleeve.
Adjutant General Logan was a spec
tator of the proceedings. He occu-
pied place near the prisoner and
his guard.
Before the court session opened
officers searched Fred Rosen, brother
of the murdered girl, for any weapon
he might have concealed on his per-
son. None was found and he was al
lowed to take his place near the rail
ing.
Junkin Shakes His Head.
When the jury filed in the court
asked the foreman If the jurors had
agreed upon a verdict
YES" replied Foreman Morgan
wards. The clerk then unfolded the
slip of paper and read the verdict to
the court:
I'VE, ythe jury find the defendant
guilty OF murder IN the first degree
and fix the penalty at death
A great cheer went up from the
threats of the hundreds who crowded
the court ROOM Another and still
stood outside and who knew what had
happened. Judge Roberts Immediate
ly raped for order and threatened
anyone with arrest who made any
further disturbance.
When Judge Roberts told Junfin to
arise and asked him If he had any
thing to say before sentence was pro
nounced, the prisoner merely shook
| his head.
Attorneys, after conference de
| cided to waive the customary time OF
three days before sentence is passed
in murder cases and asked the court
to pass sentence at once. Judge Rob
| erts then sentenced the prisoner to
| death.
Judge Mitchell, mis- chief attorney,
| declared he would appeal the case.
Everything was quiet as everyone
is satisfied with the verdict. There
| will be no disturbances. Adjutant Gen.
eral Logan stated that guard OF
troops could be had in CenterviIle in
a short time If it were needed, but
stated it would not be needed.
On Way to PenItentiary.
At 9:15 o'clock last night Junkin
was taken from the court house to a
waiting street car block away. A
heavy guard surrounded the condemn
ed man. Sheriff John G.. Clark and
Guards Lem l.. Dale. William Sitter.
Charles Ware, William Underwood
and ex,PoIice Chiefs Dan Harmon
and John W. Grey, both OF Ottumwa,
accompanied the prisoner 60 the
street car and from there to the Bur
lington station, wnere a special coach
and engine was waiting to take the
party to Fort Madison
A mob of 500 people surrounded
Junkin on his way to the station and
guards were stationed at the windows
OF the car to prevent possible harm
When Junkin reached the floor of the
street car he fell from nervous exhaus.
ton and fright and pleaded with the
guards to save him.
Death Penalties Are Rare.
Judge Roberts, who sentenced Jun
kin, Is the only judge Ia Iowa, accord