Jasper County Democrat, Volume 18, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 June 1915 — HELD AS ALLEN SLAYER [ARTICLE]

HELD AS ALLEN SLAYER

CORONER’S JURY CHARGES NEGRO WITH MURDER. Joseph Campbell Accused of Killing Wife of Warden at Joliet Penitentiary. Joliet, 111., June 25. —The coroner’s jury ( which conducted the inquiry into the death of Mrs. Edmund Allen, wife cf the warden of the penitentiary, decided -after a long debate to hold Joseph Campbell, a negro convict, on a charge of murder. Tacit doubt of Campbell’s guilt was expressed in the verdict, wTiich stipulated that the chafge against Campbell should not preclude suspicion against others. Officials at the prison were directed to continue the quest into circumstances surrounding the fire in which Mrs. Allen lost her life Sunday morning, in the hope of revealing evidence that will prove Campbell’s innocence or more clearly reveal his guilt. Campbell will be transferred at once to the Will county jail. Representative John P. Devine has arrived here from Springfield to act as Governor Dunne’s representative until further notice. He bears a letter from the governor to Warden Allen. Mr. Devine is a member of the assembly from Dixon, 111. The letter to the warden and Deputy Warden Ryan directs them to give Mr. Devine access to prisoners, particularly those suspected of Mrs. Allen’s murder.

Mr. Devine sent the following telegram to Governor Dunne: "Immediately upon arrival here I talked with Campbell and the other suspects out of the presence of any prison officials. Each suspect declared he had been fairly treated and subjected to no brutality whatsoever. Third-degree talk absolqtely without foundation.” Testimony offered during the threeday session of the coroner’s,Jury has failed to clear up many points in the tragedy. Unless the prison Judas who betrayed his fellow convicts confesses the mystery will remain unsolved.