The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1912-03-22

IL up 1oE d11 was All the
features of first-class sensation were
present, The victim, Robert Under
wood. was well known In society and
prominent art connoisseur The
place where the crime was committed
was one of the most fashionable of
New York's hostelries. The presumed
assassin was college man and the
son of one of the most wealthy and
influential of New Yorks citizens.
True, this Howard Jeffries, the son,
was black sheep. He had been
mixed up In all kinds of scandals be-
fore. His own father had turned him
out of doors, and he was married to a
woman whose father died In prison
Could a better combination of cir
cumstances for a newspaper be con-
ceived? The crime was discovered
too late for the morning papers to
make mention of It, but the afternoon
papers fired a broadside that shook
the town. All the evening papers had
big scare heads stretching across the
entire front page, with pictures of the
principals involved and long inter
views with the coroner and Capt
Clinton. There seemed to be no doubt
that the police had arrested the right
man, and in all quarters of the city
there was universal sympathy for Mr.
Howard Jeffries, ST. 1t was terrible
to think that this splendid, upright
man, whose whole career was without
single stain, who had served his
country CALAMITY through the civil
war, should have such disgrace
brought upon him In his old age.
Everything pointed to a speedy trial
and quick conviction. Public indigna-
ton was aroused almost to a frenzy,
and loud clamor went up against
the laws delay. Too many crimes
of this nature, screamed the yellow
press, had been allowed to sully the
good name of the city. A fearful ex-
ample must be made, no matter what
the standing and influence of the pris-
oner's family. Thus goaded on, the
courts acted with promptness. Taken
before a magistrate, Howard was at
once committed to the Tombs to await
trial, and the district attorney set to
work tmpaneling a jury. Justice, he
promised, would be swiftly done. One
newspaper stated positively that the
family would not interfere, but would
abandon the scapegrace son to his
richly deserved fate. Judge Brewster,
the famous lawyer, it was said, had al
ready been approached by the prison
er's wife, but had declined to take
the case. Banker Jeffries also was
quoted as saying that the man under
arrest was no longer a son of his.
AS one paper pointed out, it seemed
a farce and waste of money to have
any trial at all. The assassin had not
only been caught red-handed, but had
actually confessed. Why waste time
| over a trial7 True, one paper timidly
suggested that 1t might have been q
case of suicide. Robert Underworld
financial affairs, 1t went on to say
were in a critical condition, and the
theory of suicide was borne out to
some extent by an interview with DR.
Bernstein, professor of psychology at
one of the universities, who stated
that he was by no means convinced of
the prisoners guilt, and limited that
the alleged confession might have
been forced from him by the police,
while in a hypnotic state. This the
DRY, belittling as it did their pet SEN
sation, did not suit the policy of the
yellow press, so the learned profess
sor at once became the target for edi-
torial attack.
The sensation grew in Importance
as the day for the trial approached
All New York was agog with excite
ment. The handsome Jeffries man
cir piunrciIn ri
by callers. The guides on the sight
seeing coaches shouted through their
megaphones:
That's the house where the muir
derer of Robert Underwood lived"
The immediate vicinity of the house
the day that the crime was made pub
lie was thronged with curious peo-
pie. The blinds of the house were
drawn down as if to shield the in
mates from observation, but there
were several cabs in front of the main
entrance and passers by stopped on
the sidewalk, pointing at the house A
number of newspaper men stood in a
group, gathering fresh material for
the next edition. A reporter ap-
preached rapidly from Broadway and
joined his colleagues.
We'll, boys he said cheerily. ANY
thing doing? Say, my paper is going
to have bully story tomorrow! Com
plete account by Underwood's valet
He tells how he caught the murderer
just as he was escaping from the
apartment. Wen have pictures and
everything. It's fine. Anything do
ing here?" he demanded.
Nav" grunted the others in dis
gruntled tones.
I'VE saw the butler" said one re-
porter, "and tried to get a story from
him. but he fatty refused to talk. All
he would say was that Howard JEFF
fries was nothing to the family, that
his father didn't care a straw what
became of him."
That's pretty tough" exclaimed
another reporter. He's his son, aft
er ALL"
"Oh, you don't know old Jeffries, -