MURDERED BY A MINISTER.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1068, 3 August 1883, Page 2

MURDERED BY A MINISTER.

A Louisiana Trajfody. Mansfield (La.), June 16.—Rev. Ben T. Jenkins, Junr, this mornjng killed Kev, J. Lane Borden, President of Mansfield College. Borden had seduced a young lad} 7 friend of Jenkins. Jenkins used a revolver and fired five or six shots. One of the shots took effect in Borden’s leg, one in his heart, and one in the forehead, just between the eyes. He lived about two hours, but never spoke. The greatest excitement prevails, but Jenkins has the sympathy of the community, Jenkins and his brother, C. E. Jenkins, who was present, surrendered to the Sheriff. The preliminary examination will be held on Monday. Jenkins is a man of 25, and was ordained ns a minister at the last session of the Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. tie is a son of the Hon. B, T. Jenkins of this place, and has been preaching at llaibline station, on the New Orleans and Pacific road. B. T. Jenkins is a trustee of the College. The Coroner’s jury rendered a verdict that the deceased came to his death from a pistol-shot fired by Benjamin T. Jenkins, junr. They exonerated C. B. Jenkins. Chicago, Juno 17.—A special from Mansfield, Da., of Juno 16th, gives the following details of the killing of Rev J. Lane Borden by Rev Benjamin F, Jenkins, junr., about 10 o’clock this morning. Jenkins was in his fathoi’s store when Borden, approaching the store, spoke to Jenkins’ brother Nod. Jenkins then came out of the front door of the store, pointed a pistol at Borden’s loft breast, and fired, the bullet striking the region of the left nipple. A watch worn by Borden saved his life for the moment. Borden then ran down to Williams and Hapgood’k store, two doors below, passing through it to the hack door, where he was fired on again by Jenkins, who was in pursuit. The bullet miss6d its mark. Just outside the store Jenkins shot him again, the ball taking effect in the log, and he fell to the ground. Jenkins advanced to Borden’s feet and shot him in the forehead. William Kcithlick, the only witness at the inquest who heard a word passed, says that Borden, after falling, exclaimed, “ My God ! I didn’t do it.” Last Thursday a beautiful and accomplished young lady of 17 years, the daughter of a prominent sugar planter of Rapids parish, who is rumoured to be affianced of Jenkins, and who has

been a student during part of the session at Mansfield College, loft here by the New Orleans Pacific train in company with Jenkins for her home. Jenkins was to remain two weeks with her. Between this place and Rocbline, forty miles distant, she confessed to Jenkins, it is rumoured, that she had been ruined by Borden. Jenkins left at the next station, to return home for the purpose of avenging her wrong. The result is told above. Jenkins was reticent on his return on Friday, not even telling bis family the cause of his pale and haggard looks, though they besought him to tell the reason of his trouble. The parties to the tragedy have been confidential friends. Jenkins was an enthusiastic supporter of Borden, having joined the church and entered the Methodist ministry under Borden’s influence. Jenkins immediately surrendered himself. Nothing ever occurred in this community of so startling a character. Jenkins was brought up here, and is considered to be one of the purest young men. Mr Borden hae been engaged in teaching for years, having had charge of the colleges at Monroe and Homer, La. New York, June 19.—The 11 Picayune’s” Mansfield (La.) special says: The preliminary examination has begun of Rev. Ben. T. Jenkins, junr. for the murder of Rev J. Lane Borden. Immediately after the shooting of Borden by Jenkins, Dis-trict-Attorney Small wrote to John S. Butler, the father of the young lady whose name is involved in the matter, giving him the particulars of the tragedy, and the alleged cause being the ruin of his daughter. Butler replied : There is not one word of truth in the charge you refer to. I regret very much that Jenkins took up such an idea. My daughter says she said nothing like that to Mr Jenkins, and that he could not possibly infer Janything of the kind.”