Edna married Thomas Jenkins in Pueblo, CO, in May, 1911. In Sep 1911, Edna and Thomas were victims of a double homicide at her father's ranch in northern Wyoming.
GREAT MYSTERY IN RED BANK TRAGEDY
Mr. and Mrs. Thos. W. Jenkins Found Dead at Ranch of Ex-Governor Richards, Father of Dead Lady
Red Bank, Sept. 25.— By far the most horrible tragedy ever enacted in this section of the country came to light, when the bodies of Thomas W. Jenkins and his wife, Mrs. Edna May Jenkins, who was the daughter of Ex-Governor W. A. Richards, were found at the Jenkins bungalow home near this place this morning.
The coroner's jury which were at once called upon the discovery of the tragedy, brought in a verdict of suicide in the case of the husband, and of the wife also, though only after she had been shot twice through the lungs by the husband. In the opinion of the physician, death had occurred at least 36 hours previous to his examination. It will perhaps never be known what prompted these young people, just starting in life, with a bright and happy future before them to so suddenly desire to end it all, but that there was some kind of an agreement between them seems almost certain. The husband, being the stronger of the two undoubtedly took the lead in the arrangements, for it was two shots from the gun, from which the bullet came that pierced his heart, that was used in shooting Mrs. Jenkins through the lungs.
The husband was found lying near the bed, which had not been slept in with a bullet wound in his left breast and lying in such a position as would indicate that death was instantaneous. He was clad only in a union suit of underclothing, which in the vicinity of the wound, only, was saturated with blood. This also would indicate that he had died without a struggle.
The body of Mrs. Jenkins clad only in a night gown and a bath robe, was found lying under the trees near the door. In her left hand she held, tightly clenched, a 41 calibre revolver, while close by on the ground lay a 38 calibre gun. Four chambers of the 38 revolver were empty and two of the 41 calibre. Two of the 38 calibre bullets had passed clear through her lungs, while a bullet from the heavier gun penetrated her brain.
The bed near which Mr. Jenkins was lying when found had been on fire, and it is reasonable to believe that one or the other had attempted to cremate their bodies after shooting. As there was no one else with miles of them at the time of the shooting, and the husband shot through the heart, who else could have extinguished the fire, than the woman, who already had two fatal bullet wounds from which she must have been suffering untold tortures. It is reasonable to believe that after the husband had shot his wife twice, and thinking the wounds fatal, had turned the gun on himself. Mrs. Jenkins, even though in great agony, was still conscious and had the presence of mind to carry a pail of water to the bed and put out the fire. Then, realising that her wounds were fatal, and wishing to end her suffering, she had first taken the 38 calibre revolver from her husband's hand and stared for the door. Then in her fast beclouding mind came the thought that if the weapon had failed to kill her with two shots, it might fail again, and to make certain she secured the heavier gun and getting outside the door placed the weapon to her temple and pressed the trigger with her thumb.
The vital question still remains. What prompted the act? So far as known their domestic life has always been pleasant and they have only been married since last May. Unless a note of explanation be found later, it is probable that their secret will never be known.
For two days, Mrs. Senator McClelland who was an intimate friend of the young couple, had tried to get the Jenkins bungalow by phone, but was unsuccessful. Finally becoming anxious, she sent two young girls of seventeen years of age to learn if there was anything wrong and these were the first to discover the awful tragedy. Neighbors were immediately summoned, and Dr. Carter, the coroner and Sheriff Wickwire arrived early yesterday morning and an autopsy was held and a verdict rendered.
A asd feature of the whole case is the fact that Ex-Governor Richards is somewhere in the Jackson Hole country with a hunting party, composed of George B. McClellan, Dr. Harris and Dr. Ryerson of Chicago and Herbert V. Lacey of Cheyenne, and can only be reached by courier. It was only a chance that he might be found by phone, and every effort was made to reach him but no avail. Riders from the nearest point reached by telephone, have been dispatched to find the party and it is expected that the news will reach him some time today.
Mrs. Guy McCreery, a sister living at Pueblo, was at once notified of the tragedy, and she has wired instructions to ship the bodies to Cheyenne for burial.
Mrs. Jenkins was well known here having spent much of her childhood in Cheyenne and was generally a favorite among her many friends. Mr. Jenkins was a civil engineer of more than ordinary ability and had a bright future ahead of him in his profession. He met Edna Richards at the home of her sister, when the latter lived in Ogden, where Mr. McCreery was pastor of the Methodist church. Later Mr. McCreery was transferred to Pueblo, Colo., and it was there that the two young people were united in marriage, and the month following the wedding, they visited for some time in Cheyenne.
Another sister lives in California, having married Louis Barrett of that state several years ago.
The tragedy will not only be a great shock to Ex-Governor Richards, who is not in the best of health, but also to Mrs. McCreery, who only last spring buried her oldest child, who was the idol of his parents.
It is probable that the request of Mrs. McCreery will be complied with, and the bodies prepared for immediate shipment to Cheyenne
© Cheyenne State Leader no. 305 September 25, 1911, page 1 & 5
___________________________________________
CORONERS JURY IN JENKINS CASE REVERSES VERDICT
Obtains New Evidence in Deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins and Reports New Verdict that Crime Was Committed by Persons Unknown— Former Governor Richards Directs Investigation which Unearths Sensational Facts
___________
THE REVISED VERDICT.
We, the undersigned, who composed the coroner's jury which convened at the Red Bank ranch upon September 25, to inquire into the cause of the death of Thomas W. Jenkins and his wife Edna Richards Jenkins, do now declare and say that, by reason of new evidence not before us at the inquest held upon September 25, 1911, it is now our opinion that the said Thomas W. Jenkins and Edna Richards Jenkins died upon the night of the 22nd day of September from gunshot wounds at the hands of some person or persons to us unknown.
Approved: (Signed) OSCAR McCLELLAN
Dr. C. DAVIS CARTER, CHARLES WELLS
Coroner Big Horn County, Wyoming JAMES H. TULLY.
The above amended verdict of the coroner's jury which last September held an inquest in one of the most mysterious tragedies ever known in this state, indicates that the true solution of the terrible affair may shortly be found.
Former Governor W. A. Richards, father of Mrs. Jenkins and at whose ranch the tragedy occurred which is familiar to all Wyoming people, has spent the greater part of the last two months in a more careful investigation into the facts than was possible for the coroner's jury.
His investigation has brought to light a number of remarkable facts, some of which are sensational in their character, and are published in The Tribune today, and others, which for excellent reasons are not made public at this time.
Money Was Missing.
Governor Richards most striking discovery was that there was no money to be found in the house where his daughter and son-in-law met their deaths. He immediately began an inquiry and found that Mrs. Jenkins had not left the ranch since the tenth of September, at which time he had given her a sum of money including a bill and some silver. There could have been no possible way for her to have spent any money except at the store at No Wood which is also a money order office and through which the Richards and Jenkins families always made what remittances were sent.
At the store and postoffice it was stated positively that neither Mr. nor Mrs. Jenkins had made any purchases at either place except on one occasion, when Mr. Jenkins arrived from a trip to Omaha. At that time, he borrowed a horse and saddle, from the store, and returned with Mrs. Jenkins the following day, leading the barrowed horse. He and Mrs. Jenkins ate dinner at No Wood and Mr. Jenkins, when he paid for the meal, displayed a number of silver coins, and apparently had more money. He had no further opportunity of spending any money at all.
A Significant Detail.
Another fact he discovered was that the barn door at the ranch was awing wide open, a more important fact than at first appears.
The barn is above the stable, but is on a side hill so that both doors are accessible. The stable door was always left open so that the horses might spend the night in the stable or the corral as they chose. The grain was kept in an open box in the barn above and for this reason care was always taken to keep it closed. Had it been left open by accident, Mr. Jenkins would have closed it when he went to milk in the evening. The supposition is that it was opened by some one who entered or left the barn after that time.
Unexplained Bullet Holes.
Still more enlightening was the discovery of bullet holes in the wall of the house overlooked by the jury and which would indicate the presence of a third party.
House On Old Trail.
An interesting fact which may or may not have a bearing on the mystery, should it ever be fully revealed, is that the house where the Jenkinses met their death, is some distance away from the well traveled roads of the No Wood country and in in fact rather secluded. It is, however, with in four hundred yards from the old Thermopolis trail, which is no more than a short cut for horsemen, and is particularly popular for travelers who wish to avoid the public thoroughfares.
When lawlessness was more prevalent in Wyoming than in recent years, the Thermopolis trail was the favorite route for the old Hole in the Wall gang and is still extensively used by the initiated.
Put Bed on Floor
That some fear, or apprehension had occurred to Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins is indicated by the fact that the bed wherein they usually slept was unoccupied, and they had prepared to retire in a bed made up on the floor and out of range from the windows.
Governor Richards presented the above facts and other which may become public later, should it be expedient to the coroner’s jury which brought in the verdict last September, with the result, as seen above, that a complete reversal from their original position has been made.
Mr. McClellan, the foreman, is a United States Commissioner for Big Horn county and is a man of much ability and high standing.
Mr. Wells is an old time hard headed alert stockman, and Mr. Tully is a young man making his start in the cattle business but owning his ranch and showing ability and intelligence.
The character of the members of the jury, together with the fact that the new verdict has been approved by the coroner of the county, indicates that the new developments in the Jenkins case are by no means unimportant, but are likely to lead to the solution of a tragedy that every Wyoming man and woman would like to see cleared.
Governor Richards stated to a Tribune reporter today that he is by no means finished with his investigation but will continue to follow up bits of evidence that have come to his notice.
© Wyoming Tribune no. 280 December 01, 1911, page 1 & 2
Submitted by Lostnwyomn March 2013.
GREAT MYSTERY IN RED BANK TRAGEDY
Mr. and Mrs. Thos. W. Jenkins Found Dead at Ranch of Ex-Governor Richards, Father of Dead Lady
Red Bank, Sept. 25.— By far the most horrible tragedy ever enacted in this section of the country came to light, when the bodies of Thomas W. Jenkins and his wife, Mrs. Edna May Jenkins, who was the daughter of Ex-Governor W. A. Richards, were found at the Jenkins bungalow home near this place this morning.
The coroner's jury which were at once called upon the discovery of the tragedy, brought in a verdict of suicide in the case of the husband, and of the wife also, though only after she had been shot twice through the lungs by the husband. In the opinion of the physician, death had occurred at least 36 hours previous to his examination. It will perhaps never be known what prompted these young people, just starting in life, with a bright and happy future before them to so suddenly desire to end it all, but that there was some kind of an agreement between them seems almost certain. The husband, being the stronger of the two undoubtedly took the lead in the arrangements, for it was two shots from the gun, from which the bullet came that pierced his heart, that was used in shooting Mrs. Jenkins through the lungs.
The husband was found lying near the bed, which had not been slept in with a bullet wound in his left breast and lying in such a position as would indicate that death was instantaneous. He was clad only in a union suit of underclothing, which in the vicinity of the wound, only, was saturated with blood. This also would indicate that he had died without a struggle.
The body of Mrs. Jenkins clad only in a night gown and a bath robe, was found lying under the trees near the door. In her left hand she held, tightly clenched, a 41 calibre revolver, while close by on the ground lay a 38 calibre gun. Four chambers of the 38 revolver were empty and two of the 41 calibre. Two of the 38 calibre bullets had passed clear through her lungs, while a bullet from the heavier gun penetrated her brain.
The bed near which Mr. Jenkins was lying when found had been on fire, and it is reasonable to believe that one or the other had attempted to cremate their bodies after shooting. As there was no one else with miles of them at the time of the shooting, and the husband shot through the heart, who else could have extinguished the fire, than the woman, who already had two fatal bullet wounds from which she must have been suffering untold tortures. It is reasonable to believe that after the husband had shot his wife twice, and thinking the wounds fatal, had turned the gun on himself. Mrs. Jenkins, even though in great agony, was still conscious and had the presence of mind to carry a pail of water to the bed and put out the fire. Then, realising that her wounds were fatal, and wishing to end her suffering, she had first taken the 38 calibre revolver from her husband's hand and stared for the door. Then in her fast beclouding mind came the thought that if the weapon had failed to kill her with two shots, it might fail again, and to make certain she secured the heavier gun and getting outside the door placed the weapon to her temple and pressed the trigger with her thumb.
The vital question still remains. What prompted the act? So far as known their domestic life has always been pleasant and they have only been married since last May. Unless a note of explanation be found later, it is probable that their secret will never be known.
For two days, Mrs. Senator McClelland who was an intimate friend of the young couple, had tried to get the Jenkins bungalow by phone, but was unsuccessful. Finally becoming anxious, she sent two young girls of seventeen years of age to learn if there was anything wrong and these were the first to discover the awful tragedy. Neighbors were immediately summoned, and Dr. Carter, the coroner and Sheriff Wickwire arrived early yesterday morning and an autopsy was held and a verdict rendered.
A asd feature of the whole case is the fact that Ex-Governor Richards is somewhere in the Jackson Hole country with a hunting party, composed of George B. McClellan, Dr. Harris and Dr. Ryerson of Chicago and Herbert V. Lacey of Cheyenne, and can only be reached by courier. It was only a chance that he might be found by phone, and every effort was made to reach him but no avail. Riders from the nearest point reached by telephone, have been dispatched to find the party and it is expected that the news will reach him some time today.
Mrs. Guy McCreery, a sister living at Pueblo, was at once notified of the tragedy, and she has wired instructions to ship the bodies to Cheyenne for burial.
Mrs. Jenkins was well known here having spent much of her childhood in Cheyenne and was generally a favorite among her many friends. Mr. Jenkins was a civil engineer of more than ordinary ability and had a bright future ahead of him in his profession. He met Edna Richards at the home of her sister, when the latter lived in Ogden, where Mr. McCreery was pastor of the Methodist church. Later Mr. McCreery was transferred to Pueblo, Colo., and it was there that the two young people were united in marriage, and the month following the wedding, they visited for some time in Cheyenne.
Another sister lives in California, having married Louis Barrett of that state several years ago.
The tragedy will not only be a great shock to Ex-Governor Richards, who is not in the best of health, but also to Mrs. McCreery, who only last spring buried her oldest child, who was the idol of his parents.
It is probable that the request of Mrs. McCreery will be complied with, and the bodies prepared for immediate shipment to Cheyenne
© Cheyenne State Leader no. 305 September 25, 1911, page 1 & 5
___________________________________________
CORONERS JURY IN JENKINS CASE REVERSES VERDICT
Obtains New Evidence in Deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins and Reports New Verdict that Crime Was Committed by Persons Unknown— Former Governor Richards Directs Investigation which Unearths Sensational Facts
___________
THE REVISED VERDICT.
We, the undersigned, who composed the coroner's jury which convened at the Red Bank ranch upon September 25, to inquire into the cause of the death of Thomas W. Jenkins and his wife Edna Richards Jenkins, do now declare and say that, by reason of new evidence not before us at the inquest held upon September 25, 1911, it is now our opinion that the said Thomas W. Jenkins and Edna Richards Jenkins died upon the night of the 22nd day of September from gunshot wounds at the hands of some person or persons to us unknown.
Approved: (Signed) OSCAR McCLELLAN
Dr. C. DAVIS CARTER, CHARLES WELLS
Coroner Big Horn County, Wyoming JAMES H. TULLY.
The above amended verdict of the coroner's jury which last September held an inquest in one of the most mysterious tragedies ever known in this state, indicates that the true solution of the terrible affair may shortly be found.
Former Governor W. A. Richards, father of Mrs. Jenkins and at whose ranch the tragedy occurred which is familiar to all Wyoming people, has spent the greater part of the last two months in a more careful investigation into the facts than was possible for the coroner's jury.
His investigation has brought to light a number of remarkable facts, some of which are sensational in their character, and are published in The Tribune today, and others, which for excellent reasons are not made public at this time.
Money Was Missing.
Governor Richards most striking discovery was that there was no money to be found in the house where his daughter and son-in-law met their deaths. He immediately began an inquiry and found that Mrs. Jenkins had not left the ranch since the tenth of September, at which time he had given her a sum of money including a bill and some silver. There could have been no possible way for her to have spent any money except at the store at No Wood which is also a money order office and through which the Richards and Jenkins families always made what remittances were sent.
At the store and postoffice it was stated positively that neither Mr. nor Mrs. Jenkins had made any purchases at either place except on one occasion, when Mr. Jenkins arrived from a trip to Omaha. At that time, he borrowed a horse and saddle, from the store, and returned with Mrs. Jenkins the following day, leading the barrowed horse. He and Mrs. Jenkins ate dinner at No Wood and Mr. Jenkins, when he paid for the meal, displayed a number of silver coins, and apparently had more money. He had no further opportunity of spending any money at all.
A Significant Detail.
Another fact he discovered was that the barn door at the ranch was awing wide open, a more important fact than at first appears.
The barn is above the stable, but is on a side hill so that both doors are accessible. The stable door was always left open so that the horses might spend the night in the stable or the corral as they chose. The grain was kept in an open box in the barn above and for this reason care was always taken to keep it closed. Had it been left open by accident, Mr. Jenkins would have closed it when he went to milk in the evening. The supposition is that it was opened by some one who entered or left the barn after that time.
Unexplained Bullet Holes.
Still more enlightening was the discovery of bullet holes in the wall of the house overlooked by the jury and which would indicate the presence of a third party.
House On Old Trail.
An interesting fact which may or may not have a bearing on the mystery, should it ever be fully revealed, is that the house where the Jenkinses met their death, is some distance away from the well traveled roads of the No Wood country and in in fact rather secluded. It is, however, with in four hundred yards from the old Thermopolis trail, which is no more than a short cut for horsemen, and is particularly popular for travelers who wish to avoid the public thoroughfares.
When lawlessness was more prevalent in Wyoming than in recent years, the Thermopolis trail was the favorite route for the old Hole in the Wall gang and is still extensively used by the initiated.
Put Bed on Floor
That some fear, or apprehension had occurred to Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins is indicated by the fact that the bed wherein they usually slept was unoccupied, and they had prepared to retire in a bed made up on the floor and out of range from the windows.
Governor Richards presented the above facts and other which may become public later, should it be expedient to the coroner’s jury which brought in the verdict last September, with the result, as seen above, that a complete reversal from their original position has been made.
Mr. McClellan, the foreman, is a United States Commissioner for Big Horn county and is a man of much ability and high standing.
Mr. Wells is an old time hard headed alert stockman, and Mr. Tully is a young man making his start in the cattle business but owning his ranch and showing ability and intelligence.
The character of the members of the jury, together with the fact that the new verdict has been approved by the coroner of the county, indicates that the new developments in the Jenkins case are by no means unimportant, but are likely to lead to the solution of a tragedy that every Wyoming man and woman would like to see cleared.
Governor Richards stated to a Tribune reporter today that he is by no means finished with his investigation but will continue to follow up bits of evidence that have come to his notice.
© Wyoming Tribune no. 280 December 01, 1911, page 1 & 2
Submitted by Lostnwyomn March 2013.
Edna married Thomas Jenkins in Pueblo, CO, in May, 1911. In Sep 1911, Edna and Thomas were victims of a double homicide at her father's ranch in northern Wyoming.
GREAT MYSTERY IN RED BANK TRAGEDY
Mr. and Mrs. Thos. W. Jenkins Found Dead at Ranch of Ex-Governor Richards, Father of Dead Lady
Red Bank, Sept. 25.— By far the most horrible tragedy ever enacted in this section of the country came to light, when the bodies of Thomas W. Jenkins and his wife, Mrs. Edna May Jenkins, who was the daughter of Ex-Governor W. A. Richards, were found at the Jenkins bungalow home near this place this morning.
The coroner's jury which were at once called upon the discovery of the tragedy, brought in a verdict of suicide in the case of the husband, and of the wife also, though only after she had been shot twice through the lungs by the husband. In the opinion of the physician, death had occurred at least 36 hours previous to his examination. It will perhaps never be known what prompted these young people, just starting in life, with a bright and happy future before them to so suddenly desire to end it all, but that there was some kind of an agreement between them seems almost certain. The husband, being the stronger of the two undoubtedly took the lead in the arrangements, for it was two shots from the gun, from which the bullet came that pierced his heart, that was used in shooting Mrs. Jenkins through the lungs.
The husband was found lying near the bed, which had not been slept in with a bullet wound in his left breast and lying in such a position as would indicate that death was instantaneous. He was clad only in a union suit of underclothing, which in the vicinity of the wound, only, was saturated with blood. This also would indicate that he had died without a struggle.
The body of Mrs. Jenkins clad only in a night gown and a bath robe, was found lying under the trees near the door. In her left hand she held, tightly clenched, a 41 calibre revolver, while close by on the ground lay a 38 calibre gun. Four chambers of the 38 revolver were empty and two of the 41 calibre. Two of the 38 calibre bullets had passed clear through her lungs, while a bullet from the heavier gun penetrated her brain.
The bed near which Mr. Jenkins was lying when found had been on fire, and it is reasonable to believe that one or the other had attempted to cremate their bodies after shooting. As there was no one else with miles of them at the time of the shooting, and the husband shot through the heart, who else could have extinguished the fire, than the woman, who already had two fatal bullet wounds from which she must have been suffering untold tortures. It is reasonable to believe that after the husband had shot his wife twice, and thinking the wounds fatal, had turned the gun on himself. Mrs. Jenkins, even though in great agony, was still conscious and had the presence of mind to carry a pail of water to the bed and put out the fire. Then, realising that her wounds were fatal, and wishing to end her suffering, she had first taken the 38 calibre revolver from her husband's hand and stared for the door. Then in her fast beclouding mind came the thought that if the weapon had failed to kill her with two shots, it might fail again, and to make certain she secured the heavier gun and getting outside the door placed the weapon to her temple and pressed the trigger with her thumb.
The vital question still remains. What prompted the act? So far as known their domestic life has always been pleasant and they have only been married since last May. Unless a note of explanation be found later, it is probable that their secret will never be known.
For two days, Mrs. Senator McClelland who was an intimate friend of the young couple, had tried to get the Jenkins bungalow by phone, but was unsuccessful. Finally becoming anxious, she sent two young girls of seventeen years of age to learn if there was anything wrong and these were the first to discover the awful tragedy. Neighbors were immediately summoned, and Dr. Carter, the coroner and Sheriff Wickwire arrived early yesterday morning and an autopsy was held and a verdict rendered.
A asd feature of the whole case is the fact that Ex-Governor Richards is somewhere in the Jackson Hole country with a hunting party, composed of George B. McClellan, Dr. Harris and Dr. Ryerson of Chicago and Herbert V. Lacey of Cheyenne, and can only be reached by courier. It was only a chance that he might be found by phone, and every effort was made to reach him but no avail. Riders from the nearest point reached by telephone, have been dispatched to find the party and it is expected that the news will reach him some time today.
Mrs. Guy McCreery, a sister living at Pueblo, was at once notified of the tragedy, and she has wired instructions to ship the bodies to Cheyenne for burial.
Mrs. Jenkins was well known here having spent much of her childhood in Cheyenne and was generally a favorite among her many friends. Mr. Jenkins was a civil engineer of more than ordinary ability and had a bright future ahead of him in his profession. He met Edna Richards at the home of her sister, when the latter lived in Ogden, where Mr. McCreery was pastor of the Methodist church. Later Mr. McCreery was transferred to Pueblo, Colo., and it was there that the two young people were united in marriage, and the month following the wedding, they visited for some time in Cheyenne.
Another sister lives in California, having married Louis Barrett of that state several years ago.
The tragedy will not only be a great shock to Ex-Governor Richards, who is not in the best of health, but also to Mrs. McCreery, who only last spring buried her oldest child, who was the idol of his parents.
It is probable that the request of Mrs. McCreery will be complied with, and the bodies prepared for immediate shipment to Cheyenne
© Cheyenne State Leader no. 305 September 25, 1911, page 1 & 5
___________________________________________
CORONERS JURY IN JENKINS CASE REVERSES VERDICT
Obtains New Evidence in Deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins and Reports New Verdict that Crime Was Committed by Persons Unknown— Former Governor Richards Directs Investigation which Unearths Sensational Facts
___________
THE REVISED VERDICT.
We, the undersigned, who composed the coroner's jury which convened at the Red Bank ranch upon September 25, to inquire into the cause of the death of Thomas W. Jenkins and his wife Edna Richards Jenkins, do now declare and say that, by reason of new evidence not before us at the inquest held upon September 25, 1911, it is now our opinion that the said Thomas W. Jenkins and Edna Richards Jenkins died upon the night of the 22nd day of September from gunshot wounds at the hands of some person or persons to us unknown.
Approved: (Signed) OSCAR McCLELLAN
Dr. C. DAVIS CARTER, CHARLES WELLS
Coroner Big Horn County, Wyoming JAMES H. TULLY.
The above amended verdict of the coroner's jury which last September held an inquest in one of the most mysterious tragedies ever known in this state, indicates that the true solution of the terrible affair may shortly be found.
Former Governor W. A. Richards, father of Mrs. Jenkins and at whose ranch the tragedy occurred which is familiar to all Wyoming people, has spent the greater part of the last two months in a more careful investigation into the facts than was possible for the coroner's jury.
His investigation has brought to light a number of remarkable facts, some of which are sensational in their character, and are published in The Tribune today, and others, which for excellent reasons are not made public at this time.
Money Was Missing.
Governor Richards most striking discovery was that there was no money to be found in the house where his daughter and son-in-law met their deaths. He immediately began an inquiry and found that Mrs. Jenkins had not left the ranch since the tenth of September, at which time he had given her a sum of money including a bill and some silver. There could have been no possible way for her to have spent any money except at the store at No Wood which is also a money order office and through which the Richards and Jenkins families always made what remittances were sent.
At the store and postoffice it was stated positively that neither Mr. nor Mrs. Jenkins had made any purchases at either place except on one occasion, when Mr. Jenkins arrived from a trip to Omaha. At that time, he borrowed a horse and saddle, from the store, and returned with Mrs. Jenkins the following day, leading the barrowed horse. He and Mrs. Jenkins ate dinner at No Wood and Mr. Jenkins, when he paid for the meal, displayed a number of silver coins, and apparently had more money. He had no further opportunity of spending any money at all.
A Significant Detail.
Another fact he discovered was that the barn door at the ranch was awing wide open, a more important fact than at first appears.
The barn is above the stable, but is on a side hill so that both doors are accessible. The stable door was always left open so that the horses might spend the night in the stable or the corral as they chose. The grain was kept in an open box in the barn above and for this reason care was always taken to keep it closed. Had it been left open by accident, Mr. Jenkins would have closed it when he went to milk in the evening. The supposition is that it was opened by some one who entered or left the barn after that time.
Unexplained Bullet Holes.
Still more enlightening was the discovery of bullet holes in the wall of the house overlooked by the jury and which would indicate the presence of a third party.
House On Old Trail.
An interesting fact which may or may not have a bearing on the mystery, should it ever be fully revealed, is that the house where the Jenkinses met their death, is some distance away from the well traveled roads of the No Wood country and in in fact rather secluded. It is, however, with in four hundred yards from the old Thermopolis trail, which is no more than a short cut for horsemen, and is particularly popular for travelers who wish to avoid the public thoroughfares.
When lawlessness was more prevalent in Wyoming than in recent years, the Thermopolis trail was the favorite route for the old Hole in the Wall gang and is still extensively used by the initiated.
Put Bed on Floor
That some fear, or apprehension had occurred to Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins is indicated by the fact that the bed wherein they usually slept was unoccupied, and they had prepared to retire in a bed made up on the floor and out of range from the windows.
Governor Richards presented the above facts and other which may become public later, should it be expedient to the coroner’s jury which brought in the verdict last September, with the result, as seen above, that a complete reversal from their original position has been made.
Mr. McClellan, the foreman, is a United States Commissioner for Big Horn county and is a man of much ability and high standing.
Mr. Wells is an old time hard headed alert stockman, and Mr. Tully is a young man making his start in the cattle business but owning his ranch and showing ability and intelligence.
The character of the members of the jury, together with the fact that the new verdict has been approved by the coroner of the county, indicates that the new developments in the Jenkins case are by no means unimportant, but are likely to lead to the solution of a tragedy that every Wyoming man and woman would like to see cleared.
Governor Richards stated to a Tribune reporter today that he is by no means finished with his investigation but will continue to follow up bits of evidence that have come to his notice.
© Wyoming Tribune no. 280 December 01, 1911, page 1 & 2
Submitted by Lostnwyomn March 2013.
GREAT MYSTERY IN RED BANK TRAGEDY
Mr. and Mrs. Thos. W. Jenkins Found Dead at Ranch of Ex-Governor Richards, Father of Dead Lady
Red Bank, Sept. 25.— By far the most horrible tragedy ever enacted in this section of the country came to light, when the bodies of Thomas W. Jenkins and his wife, Mrs. Edna May Jenkins, who was the daughter of Ex-Governor W. A. Richards, were found at the Jenkins bungalow home near this place this morning.
The coroner's jury which were at once called upon the discovery of the tragedy, brought in a verdict of suicide in the case of the husband, and of the wife also, though only after she had been shot twice through the lungs by the husband. In the opinion of the physician, death had occurred at least 36 hours previous to his examination. It will perhaps never be known what prompted these young people, just starting in life, with a bright and happy future before them to so suddenly desire to end it all, but that there was some kind of an agreement between them seems almost certain. The husband, being the stronger of the two undoubtedly took the lead in the arrangements, for it was two shots from the gun, from which the bullet came that pierced his heart, that was used in shooting Mrs. Jenkins through the lungs.
The husband was found lying near the bed, which had not been slept in with a bullet wound in his left breast and lying in such a position as would indicate that death was instantaneous. He was clad only in a union suit of underclothing, which in the vicinity of the wound, only, was saturated with blood. This also would indicate that he had died without a struggle.
The body of Mrs. Jenkins clad only in a night gown and a bath robe, was found lying under the trees near the door. In her left hand she held, tightly clenched, a 41 calibre revolver, while close by on the ground lay a 38 calibre gun. Four chambers of the 38 revolver were empty and two of the 41 calibre. Two of the 38 calibre bullets had passed clear through her lungs, while a bullet from the heavier gun penetrated her brain.
The bed near which Mr. Jenkins was lying when found had been on fire, and it is reasonable to believe that one or the other had attempted to cremate their bodies after shooting. As there was no one else with miles of them at the time of the shooting, and the husband shot through the heart, who else could have extinguished the fire, than the woman, who already had two fatal bullet wounds from which she must have been suffering untold tortures. It is reasonable to believe that after the husband had shot his wife twice, and thinking the wounds fatal, had turned the gun on himself. Mrs. Jenkins, even though in great agony, was still conscious and had the presence of mind to carry a pail of water to the bed and put out the fire. Then, realising that her wounds were fatal, and wishing to end her suffering, she had first taken the 38 calibre revolver from her husband's hand and stared for the door. Then in her fast beclouding mind came the thought that if the weapon had failed to kill her with two shots, it might fail again, and to make certain she secured the heavier gun and getting outside the door placed the weapon to her temple and pressed the trigger with her thumb.
The vital question still remains. What prompted the act? So far as known their domestic life has always been pleasant and they have only been married since last May. Unless a note of explanation be found later, it is probable that their secret will never be known.
For two days, Mrs. Senator McClelland who was an intimate friend of the young couple, had tried to get the Jenkins bungalow by phone, but was unsuccessful. Finally becoming anxious, she sent two young girls of seventeen years of age to learn if there was anything wrong and these were the first to discover the awful tragedy. Neighbors were immediately summoned, and Dr. Carter, the coroner and Sheriff Wickwire arrived early yesterday morning and an autopsy was held and a verdict rendered.
A asd feature of the whole case is the fact that Ex-Governor Richards is somewhere in the Jackson Hole country with a hunting party, composed of George B. McClellan, Dr. Harris and Dr. Ryerson of Chicago and Herbert V. Lacey of Cheyenne, and can only be reached by courier. It was only a chance that he might be found by phone, and every effort was made to reach him but no avail. Riders from the nearest point reached by telephone, have been dispatched to find the party and it is expected that the news will reach him some time today.
Mrs. Guy McCreery, a sister living at Pueblo, was at once notified of the tragedy, and she has wired instructions to ship the bodies to Cheyenne for burial.
Mrs. Jenkins was well known here having spent much of her childhood in Cheyenne and was generally a favorite among her many friends. Mr. Jenkins was a civil engineer of more than ordinary ability and had a bright future ahead of him in his profession. He met Edna Richards at the home of her sister, when the latter lived in Ogden, where Mr. McCreery was pastor of the Methodist church. Later Mr. McCreery was transferred to Pueblo, Colo., and it was there that the two young people were united in marriage, and the month following the wedding, they visited for some time in Cheyenne.
Another sister lives in California, having married Louis Barrett of that state several years ago.
The tragedy will not only be a great shock to Ex-Governor Richards, who is not in the best of health, but also to Mrs. McCreery, who only last spring buried her oldest child, who was the idol of his parents.
It is probable that the request of Mrs. McCreery will be complied with, and the bodies prepared for immediate shipment to Cheyenne
© Cheyenne State Leader no. 305 September 25, 1911, page 1 & 5
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CORONERS JURY IN JENKINS CASE REVERSES VERDICT
Obtains New Evidence in Deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins and Reports New Verdict that Crime Was Committed by Persons Unknown— Former Governor Richards Directs Investigation which Unearths Sensational Facts
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THE REVISED VERDICT.
We, the undersigned, who composed the coroner's jury which convened at the Red Bank ranch upon September 25, to inquire into the cause of the death of Thomas W. Jenkins and his wife Edna Richards Jenkins, do now declare and say that, by reason of new evidence not before us at the inquest held upon September 25, 1911, it is now our opinion that the said Thomas W. Jenkins and Edna Richards Jenkins died upon the night of the 22nd day of September from gunshot wounds at the hands of some person or persons to us unknown.
Approved: (Signed) OSCAR McCLELLAN
Dr. C. DAVIS CARTER, CHARLES WELLS
Coroner Big Horn County, Wyoming JAMES H. TULLY.
The above amended verdict of the coroner's jury which last September held an inquest in one of the most mysterious tragedies ever known in this state, indicates that the true solution of the terrible affair may shortly be found.
Former Governor W. A. Richards, father of Mrs. Jenkins and at whose ranch the tragedy occurred which is familiar to all Wyoming people, has spent the greater part of the last two months in a more careful investigation into the facts than was possible for the coroner's jury.
His investigation has brought to light a number of remarkable facts, some of which are sensational in their character, and are published in The Tribune today, and others, which for excellent reasons are not made public at this time.
Money Was Missing.
Governor Richards most striking discovery was that there was no money to be found in the house where his daughter and son-in-law met their deaths. He immediately began an inquiry and found that Mrs. Jenkins had not left the ranch since the tenth of September, at which time he had given her a sum of money including a bill and some silver. There could have been no possible way for her to have spent any money except at the store at No Wood which is also a money order office and through which the Richards and Jenkins families always made what remittances were sent.
At the store and postoffice it was stated positively that neither Mr. nor Mrs. Jenkins had made any purchases at either place except on one occasion, when Mr. Jenkins arrived from a trip to Omaha. At that time, he borrowed a horse and saddle, from the store, and returned with Mrs. Jenkins the following day, leading the barrowed horse. He and Mrs. Jenkins ate dinner at No Wood and Mr. Jenkins, when he paid for the meal, displayed a number of silver coins, and apparently had more money. He had no further opportunity of spending any money at all.
A Significant Detail.
Another fact he discovered was that the barn door at the ranch was awing wide open, a more important fact than at first appears.
The barn is above the stable, but is on a side hill so that both doors are accessible. The stable door was always left open so that the horses might spend the night in the stable or the corral as they chose. The grain was kept in an open box in the barn above and for this reason care was always taken to keep it closed. Had it been left open by accident, Mr. Jenkins would have closed it when he went to milk in the evening. The supposition is that it was opened by some one who entered or left the barn after that time.
Unexplained Bullet Holes.
Still more enlightening was the discovery of bullet holes in the wall of the house overlooked by the jury and which would indicate the presence of a third party.
House On Old Trail.
An interesting fact which may or may not have a bearing on the mystery, should it ever be fully revealed, is that the house where the Jenkinses met their death, is some distance away from the well traveled roads of the No Wood country and in in fact rather secluded. It is, however, with in four hundred yards from the old Thermopolis trail, which is no more than a short cut for horsemen, and is particularly popular for travelers who wish to avoid the public thoroughfares.
When lawlessness was more prevalent in Wyoming than in recent years, the Thermopolis trail was the favorite route for the old Hole in the Wall gang and is still extensively used by the initiated.
Put Bed on Floor
That some fear, or apprehension had occurred to Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins is indicated by the fact that the bed wherein they usually slept was unoccupied, and they had prepared to retire in a bed made up on the floor and out of range from the windows.
Governor Richards presented the above facts and other which may become public later, should it be expedient to the coroner’s jury which brought in the verdict last September, with the result, as seen above, that a complete reversal from their original position has been made.
Mr. McClellan, the foreman, is a United States Commissioner for Big Horn county and is a man of much ability and high standing.
Mr. Wells is an old time hard headed alert stockman, and Mr. Tully is a young man making his start in the cattle business but owning his ranch and showing ability and intelligence.
The character of the members of the jury, together with the fact that the new verdict has been approved by the coroner of the county, indicates that the new developments in the Jenkins case are by no means unimportant, but are likely to lead to the solution of a tragedy that every Wyoming man and woman would like to see cleared.
Governor Richards stated to a Tribune reporter today that he is by no means finished with his investigation but will continue to follow up bits of evidence that have come to his notice.
© Wyoming Tribune no. 280 December 01, 1911, page 1 & 2
Submitted by Lostnwyomn March 2013.
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