The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1910-07-14
WANT TO SEE HIM HANG
Many Applications Made to Sheriff
Clark to Witness the Hanging
of the NEGRO Junkins.

VI luC NCylU JuHklHS.
Because of increasing nervousness
on the part of John Junkin, awaiting
hanging at the Fort Madison peni-
Tertiary July 29th, for the murder of
| Miss Clara Rosen, at Ottumwa, Feb.
5 1909, it was not advisable for
Sheriff John G. Clark, of this county
to see him when there this week to
make preliminary arrangements for
the hanging. Prison keepers report
him becoming exceedingly nervous,
and there have been some indica-
tions that he might try to cheat the
gallows by committing suicide in his
cell. For this reason he is being
very closely watched that nothing
falls into his hands with which he
might commit the deed Officials
are determined that he shall pay the
penalty the jury decreed for the aw-
full murder. Sheriff Clark was
there to look after the erection of
the scaffold, secure the rope, and
make other arrangements necessary
at this time. 1t was found that the
old scaffold, though it has been torn
down, can be rebuilt. 1t will be nee
essary to secure special rope of
hemp, and sheriff Clark will order
one at once. Then July 27, he will
i go to Fort Madison to superintend
the erection of the scaffold, try the
rope with a dead weight sand bag of
somewhat greater weight than the
negro, and make sure that there will
be no bitches in the execution.
1t was suggested by sheriff Clark
that perhaps he had better see jun
kin to learn his wishes in regard to
ministerial visitation. But it was
decided it would be best to wait till
the sheriff goes there July q, when
Junkin will be seen and there will be
time enough to send for anyone he
i may desire. In the meantime it is
| believed that he is suffering the
/ greatest torture of fear of the gall
lows. His nervousness is believed
! to be induced by this fear of hang
ing and not because of remorse for
! his deed, as those who watched him
carefully during the trial never saw
an indication of any remorse for the
| murder, or sympathy for the be-
reaved family.
| Sheriff Clark's mail is flooded with
requests of those who wish to see
/ the hanging. One letter from OF
| tumwa had list of twenty-one
names suggested by an attorney
rather remotely connected with the
trial of the case. An attorney .sat
Keokuk writes that he has a client
who has heard that man is wanted
to do the hanging and he wants to
know what sheriff Clark will pay
him to do the work There is let
ter from C. E. Warburton, of Hardin
county, saying that he believes that
| justice demands the hanging of Jun
kin and he would like to have the
| job of springing the trap. An Ot-
tumwa man writes that he is prob
ably unknown to sheriff Clark, but
that he was here all during the trial
/ for the purpose of seeing that JUS
tice was done, if not by the court
and jury, then otherwise Sheriff
3. j. Grimes and Deputy J. j. Rath-
bun, of Sigourney, who cared for
Junkin and hustled him away from
mob want to see him hanged. Sher-
iff w. B. Griffin asks that he and his
deputies be sent permits to Abba
There is request from attorneys
connected with the defense that Dr.
FL. ]. Hoove the criminology expert
of Des Moines and DR.. j. G. Box,
another expert from Ottumwa, who
were witnesses at the trial, be in
the number. John j. Crimmins, dep
uty sheriff of Lee county wants per-
mits for seven. The postmaster at
Mt. Pleasant writes to intercede for
the appointment of Dr. L. B. Allen
as one of the doctors in the party
Thomas Walsh, of Hardin county
writes for friend, also for himself
Sheriff Jahanessen of Bloomfield
wants to go DR.. Lora D. James
writes from Fairfield asking for per-
mits for himself and his druggist
friend, Clifford Thomas John a.
| Curl, of Bloomfield, wants to 60.
H. c. Williams, of Ottumwa, sends a
| perconal request, also Chief of Po-
lice Gallagher. w. H. MCGUIRE, of
Marengo, writes to protest against
the selection of an Ottumwa man he
had heard was to be in the party
In addition to the above there are
various newspaper men who want to
see the event.
Here is list of the Ottumwa peo-
pie who want to see the hanging, in
cluded in which are the family of
the murdered girl. Sheriff Clark is
inclined to include the members of
the family in the list, however much
he will have to pare down the list
otherwise owing to the limited num-
Der that can be Accommodated. The
1 OttumWa list follows: DR.. j. A. Hull,
DR.. /. Torrence, DR.. S. L. Hauch, F.
A. Rosen, Fred Rosen, c. o. Rosen,
| father and brothers Of the murdered