davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-30

Mr.. Editor: have recently been.
asked thousand times about the Jun
kin case.
Well, Junkin was guilty of most
atrocious murder. Against muir
derers society must be protected, but
protection can be as efficient through
life Imprisonment as through capital
punishment, which being SO, makes a
moral right in any man or tribunal to
inf1ict such punishment, to my mind
unthinkable.
Such punishment Is un-Christian.
care not for the law Of Moses, for the
law Of vengeance, blood for blood, has
been supplanted by the Sermon on
the Mount, by the thirteenth chapter
of first Corinthians, by the dying
prayer Of Stephen for his murderers-
by the whole New Testament.
1t is a pander to brutal Instincts
those instincts that 1000 years ago
filled to overlooking Roman circuses
with shouting and hurrahing crowds,
witnessing trained gladiators butcher
ing each other in the arena, that to-
day in Anglo Saxon countries brings
crowds from the four quarters of the
globe to gather around prize ring to
witness two brutes in human form
pound each other to pulp, and In
Latin countries makes holidays for
bull fights.
But the world is all the time grow
ing better. From the gladiatorial
sands to the prize ring and the bull
fight is somewhat of an advancement.
Less than three centuries ago there
were in the Jurisprudence of English
speaking people over 300 different
designated capital offenses. Now tbaLe
are only two-murder and t.-..son !;
in some communities third-rape
That certainly Is advancement. And
advancement will continue. Science
and scholarship are slowly tearing
away and burning up the metaphysical
and theological rubbish that In super
stitious and illiterate times was piled
on and around the character Christ,
and obscured Christian truths. The
work will go on; by and by the real
Christ will be revealed, the truths he
taught will be seen in their naked
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-30
Judge j. c. Mitchell Makes a
Statement Regarding Junkin

simplicity and beauty and then the
law Of vengeance, blood for blood,
will be wiped from the statute book OF
all countries dominated by Christian
people. The Great Jehovah has
created and given life to criminal
degenerates--why he has done SO we
only seeing through glass darkly, do
not know, and until we do know, 1t i
vain presumption for us to take suct
life away.
We all deplore mob violence. But SO
long as our legislators, our serious
and somber visaged judges, our clergy
and other public teachers teach that
the death penalty can rightly in
morals be inflicted, We will have the
mob. Courts can show no exclusive
commission from Heavenly powers to
take life; the mob can reason out no
greater right in court to take life
than the mob has. Teach men that
the death penalty is right, is approved
by Heaven, and the mob will become
FESTIVE at court procedure, and in Its
haste for vengeance takes matters III
it's own hands. And II the death
penalty can be rightfully inflicted--if
criminal has forfeited the right To
his life, in the last analysis, it is DIFF.
ficult to find reason for saying
hanging by mob is not justified as
fully as one by court; the only diff
ference is, one is wild and boisterous,
the other mockingly grave and cere
monious.
Capital Punishment is a gross
absurdity. ItNg not punishment. In
moment the noose is adjusted, in
another the trap falls and conscious
ness is gone. Itiis anomalous that
men can be hoodwinked into think
ing that that is puFishment-it is only
vengeance, .s..,.-4s~~s-,s,vusr
Thou shall not kill, Is a law uni
versal: it applies to all alike, to the
man made tribunal as fully as to the
private Individual. Through spread
of correct teaching of the ele
mentary truths taught by Christ. the
dominating forces in civilization will
| in time see it, feel 1t, be controlled
by 1t.
]. g. Mitchell
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-30
Judge M. A. Roberts
UphOLds j. c. Mitchell

The negro who met his death on the
gallows today was defended by Judge
j. c. Mitchell, and against he latter
has been directed some criticism for
SO doing Judge M. A. Roberts in de-
tense Of Judge Mitchell, made the fol-
lowing statement today:
II have felt for the last year that it
was due to Judge J. C. Mitchell of Of
tumwa that l should make state
n ent through the press relative to his
d,fense of John Junkin. The feeling
against Junkin was so intense that
there has been some disposition to
criticise Judge Mitchell for defending
him.
MANY people do not understand
that under the laws Of Iowa where the
defendant indicted for felony has not
sufficient means to employ counsel,
the court Is compelled to appoint an
attorney to defend him.
when the Junkin case came up be-
fore Judge Vermilion he had no choice
in the matter, but was compelled to
appoint some attorney to defend him.
The case was one of the gravest char
acter and it was highly important that
~ US SoAuuCICu Ny cApSIlSlCcu- Id W.
yers on both sides. One of the duties
Of an attorney as specified in the code
Is: Never to reject for any consider
alton personal to himself the cause OF
the defenseless or oppressed Under
this statute it would have been tho
duty Of any member of the bar whom
the court might name, to appear for
and represent the defendant. The
court in my judgment very properly ap.
pointed Judge Mitchell. When ap.
pointed it became his sworn duty to
faithfully and Loyalty represent his
client and do all that he could do hon
orably to secure for his client the best
results to be obtained under the law.
Hundreds of criminal cases have
been tried before me during the last
fifteen years, and among them many
murder cases, but want to say on be-
half Of counsel on both sides Of the
Junkin case, that in no case that has
been tried in my court has it appeared
to me that counsel were more loyal to
the interest of their clients and more
consistent with the rules and decorum
Of the court.
"This statement has not been sug.
gested by Judge Mitchell nor any Of
his friends, but 1t is made voluntarily
with the hope that the Judge may not
be criticised for doing that which the
Ia made 1t his duty to do and doing 1t
in most honorable and creditable
way.
(Signed.) IN. A. Roberts"
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-30
The Sworn Confession.

Junkin's crime is told in all its
brutality in the sworn confession made
by the prisoner to the police and de-
tectives in the Abba Jail. 1t is as
follows:
l, John Junkin, do state that on
February 8, 1909, left my house at
$3.50 D. m. and walked north on JEFF
ferson street over the hill to Dutro's
grocery and met woman at the cor
ner Of Dare and Cara streets, whom |
struck and robbed of eleven dollars
and seventy-fve cents, diamond ring,
hand bag, bracelet. q string OF gold
beads, mirror, pocket knife and stick
pin. These articles ! took home.
The same night at $3.50 p. m. went
to Mrs. Cutters home and showed
her the ring, telling her bought 1t OF
a "sheeney," giving him twenty-five
cents for it. On February 16, Tuesday
I took the stone which removed from
the ring to Redman's pawnshop and
sold 1t to him for $5.75, getting $2.76
in cash, the balance of $500 I allowed
on a suit of clothes had in pawn at
the store. The bracelet, stick pin,
beads, mirror, and pocket knife | Sc
creted in the attic OF my mothers
house on Mill street. No one knew
those articles were there except my
self. had been drinking consider
ably during the evening. 1t was about
7 p. M, when I murdered the girl,
whom I afterwards threw in an old
cellar on the hill above where COM
mitted the deed. The ring threw in
the catch basin in the mems toilet
room of the Wabash depot.
This statement, I make voluntarily,
WITHOUT, any promise Of clemelcy or
any inducements being offered to me
whatever.
(Sipned.) John Junkin.
Witnesses B. d. Way. Peter Gala
CHER, H. C. Williams, w. B. Griffin,
John w. Gray, Ed. Webb.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-30
CHRON OLOCY
OF Ju NIX N
Continued. From Page ~

misconnection with the Fort Madison
train made it necessary to stay in
Burlington half day Junkin was
Burlington jail After escaping the
mob another crowd congregated at
the Burlington depot. Junkin was
taken to Fort Madison and turned
over to Warden Sanders just out
side the prison walls.
April 12-Judge Vermilion appointed
Judge ]. C. Mitchell to defend Jun
kin
May 2O-sheriff Jackson and Chief
Gallagher removed prisoner from
Fort Madison to Centerville.
May 24-In middle of the night under
heavy guard John Junkin was re-
moved from the St. Louis cage in the
Centerville Jail and taken to the
Centerville court house and placed
in the grand jury room.
May 25-John Junkin and his attorney
Judge J. G. Mitchell we're closeted
all morning in the grand jury room.
At 1870 O'Clock that afternoon the
prisoner was taken into the court
room where Judge Mitchell, after
the Indictment had been read by
County Attorney Seneca Cornell,
pleaded not guilty for his client.
The task of selecting the jury upon
motion of Judge Mitchell was de-
ferred until Wednesday morning,
May 26 at o'clock. County At
torney Seneca Cornell did not re-
sist this motion and it was sustained
by the court.
May DETERMINATION of prospective
jurymen began and jury box was
filled at sos p. m.
May 27-Opening statements Of the
attorneys are heard.
May Estate began taking testi-
mony. Confession Of Junkin was adj
mitted after q bitter fight. Junkin
made an attempt to jump from the
court house window, but was pre-
vented by Guard William Bray.
May 29-State rested its case. Mrs
Amy Junlin was the first witness
for the defendant. Then the MUIR
derer followed on the stand.
May 31-Dr. H. j. II. Hoeve, Drake
university alienist went on stand for
Lie AC6IO. DClCllSO SlOoCu CobC az
3 o'clock and County Attorney R.
w. Smith began opening argument.
June 1-Adjutant General Guy Logan,
Chief Guard William Bray and Judge
M. A. Roberts conferred with regard
to calling state militia to protect
negro from possible harm. John R.
Price and Judge ]. G. Mitchell make
closing argument for the defense.
County Attorney Seneca Cornell
closed for the state. Jury was in
structed at 4 p. m. First ballot was
taken at 4:20 p. M, second ballot at
D. M and third ballot shortly after
Z D. m. Court received verdict Of
guilty at 7:49 p. m. Sentence was
Immediately pronounced. Convicted
murderer under heavy guard was
taken to a waiting street car and
thence to special train to the
states prison at FIT. Madison.
June Prisoner and guards arrived
at prison at a. m. Junkin was i'm
mediately placed in cell.
July 26, 1910--Junkin was converted
to the Catholic faith by Rev. Father
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-30
9 JAEGER DAY"
At BALL Yard.
oTTUMWA's NEW TWIRLER FANS
OUT FOURTEEN MEN AND
ALLOWED THREE HITS.

It was "Jaeger's day" yesterday at
the Myrtle street ball yard "Maury
Kent the husky collegian, came in for
honors on Tuesday, Baker Borton had
his inning on Wednesday, and yester-
day, on picnic day, Jaeger was the
shining star in the afternoon festivi-
ties. The big giant whom Manager
"Pa" Belt did not believe good enough
on his twirling staff, did the hurting
stunt for Ned Egan's speed boys, ana
fourteen Of the Boilermakers broke
their necks In trying to connect with
his benders The mix resulted In /
to @ victory for the speed boys, the
contest being one of the most exciting
played in this placid little village for
some time. Jaeger was in great form
and not only whitfield fourteen Of the
leaderless Kewaneeites, but his deliv-
cry was so puzzling that they only
garnered three scattered hits on OF MS
delivery.
It was an alright exhibition OF the
national pastime and was made more
exciting when both teams got men 10
third twice and were retired by the
clever pitching Of Jaeger and Noe.
Speed was what won the game for the
locals when Oaks hunted to Fleming
and fleet footed Jimmie Johnston
came home in the ninth stanza after
one man had flied out and the game
looked as though it would 60 to extra
sessions.
While the pitching honors were cas-
lily Jaeger's, Hard luck" Noe heaved
a good game for his teammates. He
twirled good ball until the ninth, when
he weakened, and three singles in a
row melted Ottumwa her lone but nee
essary tally. 1t was thrilling exhibit
ton through and through, and the $50
fans, made up largely Of picnickers.
were given their share Of pleasure and
amusement in one day, If Jup Pluvius
did spoil the band concert at Caldwell
park.
With the score 0 to 0, 1t looked as
though the game would go to extra in
nings In the ninth when Hank Sew
ereid came up and skied to left field
into the waiting hands of Overaker.
Jimmie Johnston, the Chattanooga
Cyclone" came to the bat and drove
singing liner out in left field. He
pilfered the second sack. Danny"
Senno, the bull hitter, then came to
the plate and advanced his brother
speed boy to third by driving out a
single over the second sack Oaks, the
classy kid on the third corner, proved
tina man Of the hour and hunted the
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-30

Jail Another peculiar circumstance
connected with the duties he performs
on this goth of July is that just one
year ago today the funeral of his wife
was being held on the lawn Of the
Jail home at Centerville
Before leaving for Fl Madison
Sheriff Clark was besieged anew on
all hands for permissions to see the
hanging. But he remained steadfast
in his opinion that about forty would
be all that the Enclosure would &C
commodate and the list was left prac-
tically as made up two weeks ago. The
doctors who determined when Jun
kin was actually dead were DR.. E. E.
Bemford, of Centerville, and DR.. ]. A.
Hull, of Ottumwa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-30

where on May rs his trial, which on
June l resulted in his conviction, was
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-30

ball down towards third base. John.
ston had secured such big lead off OF
the corner sack that there was not Il
chance to get him at the home plate
and Oaks had reached first before
Flemming had recovered from his sur
prise.
The brightest chance the visitors
had of scoring was in the sixth when
Pierce got free transportation to first
and was sacrificed to second by
Mason. Noes hit put him on third.
Overaker hit to Oaks who retired
Pierce at the plate nipping their best
chance of getting tally.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-30
HoPEwELL.

Chas. Worrell and family visited at
the Ernest Walker home recently.
Chas. Black had the misfortune to g
Jesse Helmick and family spent
Sunday at the parental Leonard home
near Ormanville.
Mrs. ,Chas. Roberts was in this vicin-
ity the last Of the week.
Several from here attended the bas-
ket meeting in Ash Grove Sunday.
N. j. Summons and family visited
last Sunday at Frank Samples.
Chas. Blacks were Sunday guests at
the Ed Ballard home.
Huber Bartlett and Stmily and Mrs.
Ola Bartlett and four children of Ok
lahoma are visiting at the c. p. White
home and with other relatives and
friandS hara-
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-30

A. ]. Zaiser, of st. Joseph's Catholic
church of FIT. Madison.
July 2S-Junkin was baptized by
Father Zaiser and prepared for his
death while Sheriffs Clark and Jack
son in another part of the prison
were preparing gallows for the ex-
ecution.
July 29-Junkin hanged on gallows in
penitentiary yard, Sheriff Clark of
Canterville springing the tran
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-30

WHeTe OH Mdy 20 ITS tT1dI, WHICH Oh
June 1 resulted in his conviction, was
begun.
During the trial, Junkin was kept
under heavy guard in the Appanoose
county court house, and the state mil
itia was advised to be ready for in
slant service should the actions Of the
citizens there warrant 1t.
Following the verdict Of the jury,
rendered at 7:49 p. m. on June l,
Junkin, under heavy guard, was re-
moved to waiting street car and
was conveyed hurridely to waiting
train, on which ne was hustled to the
penitentiary. Since that date he has
been confined in the solitary cell at
the Fort Madison prison, from which
he walked to his death today.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-30

Summary.
Two base hits-Oaks. Stolen bases
Severed, Johnston az, Senno,
Overaker, Langdon, Airing. Double
plays-Jaeger to Kensel to Borton;
Lewis to Airing to Langdon. Sacrifice
hits-Senno, Borton. Lewis, Mason.
Struck out--by Jaeger IA, by Noe 6.
Base on balls-off Jaeger g. Hit by
pitcher-Jaeger /, by Noe /. Time
of game-1:25. Umpire Eddinger
Attendance-S80.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-30
S heriff Clark's
Official Witnesses

The company of forty witnesses Sc
lected by Sheriff John G.. Clark to form
the twelve respectable citizens Of the
state and the two physicians as pre-
scribed by law, and as guards and
aides to the official in properly COM
plotting the execution of John Junkin,
who today viewed the hanging of the
murderer. exclusive Of the ministers Of
The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1910-06-10
WHOLE BLOCK
INVESTIGATED
Building Owned by Gambler Said
to Be Moral Plague
Spot.

"I don't believe that there are
twelve couples that are married living
in the whole block" stated United
States District Attorney Breckons yes
terday afternoon, referring to motor
ious block that the federal grand jury
is investigating.
The block belongs to George Kaea,
the many times convicted gambler, or
to his wife, which amounts to the same
thing, and it has long been stencil in
the nostrils of the other residents of
the district. The grand jury investiga-
tion was instituted on account of com.
plants TO the district attorneys office
made by other residents of that part
of town.
The Kaea block is situated on Vine
yard street, just opposite the Theodore
Richards block. Mr.. Breckons says that
the grand jury's investigation may lead
to the indictment of a dozen or more
men and women.
1t is probable that the grand jury
will take up an investigation of the
social and moral conditions of some OF
the other notorious blocks of Honolulu,
particularly one or two of those in
Kakaako, and there may be interesting
developments.
The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1910-06-10
LIQUOR YARN
ABOUT KUHIO
RumOr Now Being Spread That
Prohibition Impaired His
Health.

Some quite alarming reports as to the
health of Delegate Kalanianaole are in
circulation among Hawaiians, though
they have been set at rest to soms ex.
tent by the announcement that, he is
coming back on the Siberia due here
early next month.
One report has it that Kuhio is Sc
riously i'll because he joined the prohi.
bition campaign committee and de.
cided personally to quit all use of
liquor. The runners for the liquor cam.
paign, it is said, are circulating the
report that Kuhio has lost his health
by stopping the use of liquor, and the
tip that this is the case is being passed
around as reason for voting with the
"wets" in the coming plebiscite.
The Delegate has had considerable
throat trouble, but according to the best
information obtainable is not in serious
condition. He has strongly insisted
upon supporting the prohibition side OF
the special campaign, and will be heard
on the subject before July 26. He also
expects to take his part in the No
vember campaign for his reelection.
The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1910-06-10
AMERICANS MAY
HAVE TO FIGHT
Nicaraguans Threaten to Fire on
United States Gunboat
Dubuque.
WAR INVOLVES UNCLE SAM
American Captain viii Lay Town
in Ruins if Flag Is
Fired On.
WAR INVOLVES UNCLE SAM

BLUEFTELDS, June 8. = General
Rivas today issued defiance to the
forces of the United States which are
here for the protection of American
property, and was Immediately given
warning by Captain Sims Of the gun.
boat Dubuque that if he carried out
his threatened purposes in defiance Of
the American warning the portion of
the town held by his forces would be
laid in ruins.
Riyas said he would FIRE on any
American vessel entering the harbor.
Commander Sims sent word ashore
that if the American flag is fred upon
by orders of Rivas he will lay the por.
ton of the town held by Rivas in ruins.
The Dubuque was sent here to protect
American property and citizens, and
back up Che American demand that a
fair trial be given to William Pittham,
an American captured by General Ma.
driz and threatened with court martial
for treason.
The Dubuque is a small gunboat, of
about one thousand tons. Her battery
is four-inch rapid firing guns.
The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1910-06-10
King and Queen Hurry to Relieve
AveIIino and Hear of New
Disaster.
SARDINIA IS DEVASTATED
Martial Law Established and
Military Trains Bring
Relief.

ROME, Italy, June 's.-A terrific
earthquake in southern Italy and
cyclone in Sardinia yesterday piled up
another fearful list of deaths and prop
erty losses for Italy. Following close
upon the kilograms from Naples telling
of destructive earthquake centering
at Avellino, came news that the Is
land of Sardinia was devastated at the
same time, by a cyclone of unprece-
dented severity.
The King and Queen have arrived at
Avellino, and are taking an active part
in relief of the wounded and destitute.
The entire province has been placed
under martial law, and arrangements
for the burial of the dead and care
of the wounded are excellent.
On the Island of Sardinia, crops,
vineyards and cattle were wiped out.
The terrific wind utterly destroyed hun
dreds of homes and farms.
= Special military trains have taken re-
lief to Avellino, and the King and
'ueen and military are now turning
their attention to Sardinia.
Thousands Of the refugees of the
quake and cyclone experienced the ter
rors of the great Messina disaster, and
are panic stricken under their new
affliction.
The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1910-06-10
AMES COURT MARTIAL.

MANILA, May 26-The court mar
tial of Lieutenant Colonel Robert F.
Ames of the Twelfth Infantry, U. S. A.,
will open next Tuesday and the pro
ceedings will be behind closed doors
At the head of the court will be Brig
adier-General John ]. Pershing, com
mander of Fort William Mckinley
and Brigadier- General Daniel H. Brush
commander of the Department Of Wis
ayas. Ames is charged with conduct
unbeeoming an officer and to the pre-
iudice of military discipline.
On the night of March 18th he CAV,
dinner, his guests including Lieu
tenant Clarence M. Janney and the lat
ter's wife. During the evening tn
Janneys' quarreled and the Lieutenan
shot and killed himself