Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 34, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 November 1901 — Blake Got Off Easy. [ARTICLE]

Blake Got Off Easy.

The trial of Jim Blake, the 18 year old boy who so murderously assaulted Henry Tinder, a fellow seotion man on the Gifford railroad several weeks ago, was finished Thursday afternoon. The assault on Tinder was entirely, unprovoked, He was struck a terrible blow on the. head, slightly back of and above right ear. The blow laid the scalp open to the bone for several inches and just missed crushing the skull. Tinder lay at the point of death for many days after the assault. The defense sought to show that the boy was mentally irresponsible and produoed considerable evidence along that line, but none any stronger than the boy’s own looks and manner. The jury assessed a penalty of 6 months in jail and SSO fine, whioh together will keep him in jail about 8 months. After that he will be sent back to the Reform school at Plainfield, to remain three years or until he is 21. He was out of that institution on parole when he committed the assault on Mr. Tinder. Blake’s case was the only one tried by the jury, and they are now dismissed until Monday, Dec. 2nd, the last week of the term.