Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-05-25
NEGRO MURDERER SAYS MOB
TWILL NEVER CRACK MY
NECK"
FEAR OF MOB VIOLENCE
HAS BEEN OVERCOME
Prisoner Closely Guarded by Picked
Men-Junksn Ha. Been Haunted by
Fear Of Lynehins Until He ls on
Verge Of coll.pss-AiI Stranger. to
30 Searched.
Special to Times-Republican.

Centerville, May 25.-"They'll never
crack my neck" was the statement
made by John Junkin in his steel cage
at the Jail here just before the open
ing of his trial for the murder of Clara
Rosen at Ottumwa. He has brooded
over mob scene in which he is the
central figure till asleep or awake he
is in mortal agony and trembles at the
slightest sound. He has made up his
mind that no mob shall have him for
torture till he has made desperate
attempt to end his own life. His guards
say he is so near a nervous collapse
that he would not have the courage to
take his own life, but would fall an
easy prey to any mob that might try
to take him so. far as his own resist
ance went.
County Physician ]. P. Nicely had to
be called to attend him to prevent his
total breakdown and collapse which
would make it necessary to carry him
to the court room for trial. He is
suffering from a T.. stomach disorder
brought on, so the physician says, by
his nervousness, lack Of sleep, and
failure to eat his meals properly. Aft
er restoratives were applied he felt
better.
Guards in Charge.
| Heavily arraascda9suaTdasss arc near Jun
kin day and night Many visitors ask
fear injury might be done him or some
Ia, IL
poison. The few visitors that We're
admitted startled him so that he
could talk with difficulty. He would
dodge into his bunk. cover in a corr
ner of the cage, and his eyes would
roll as he trembled and shook. Since
all visitors have been refused he IL
becoming more pacified. He observed
that the Jail was an old one and not
secure looking. 1t is also down In a
hollow, two blocks from the square.
with barns and other buildings around
it which would easily hide the approach
Of a mob. ALI these things have been
noted by him with the greatest APP
prehension.
Officers Well Organized.
William Bray, ex-sheriff and captain
y
organized. It would be most difficult
matter for mob to form in Center
willie, or suspicious persons to APP
proach from several miles outside
Without his sentinels sending a re-
port. The officers do not profess much
confidence in their being able to save
the negro should a mob appear at the
Jail, but they are relying on strategy
and their organization to save him
Should mob appear it is very doubt.
full whether they could find Junkir
in the Jail after they had forced the
doors. Sheriff Clark, who professee
considerable concern when JunlsiA wa.
placed in his hands entirely unaware
now believes the situation is in hant
and no violence will result Whcr
Sheriff Jackson of Ottumwa, called al
the Jail with the prisoner early Frida,
morning was the first Sheriff Clarl
knew he had been taken outside The
penitentiary walls.
Another matter that is causing much
speculation is how to handle the cour
crowds. 1t is feared someone Nigh
appear in the court room, if the tra
is public, with a revolver and make al
attack on Junkin. So there has beer
some suggestion of not having thu
trial public. On the other hand it is be
lieved that with closed doors the pub
lie would become so agitated as Il
make an outbreak almost sure. So i
is probable the trial will be public ant
all strangers searched by officers a!
they enter the court room.