Suffering Isaac Jenkins
April 7, 1894
Summary
Isaac Jenkins still has not received justice after being lynched, as his lynchers are walking free.
Transcription
“Man’s inhumanity to man
Makes countless thousands mourn”
The assertion of the writer was never more literally demonstrated than in the case of Isaac Jenkins, now confined in the jail at Suffolk, VA awaiting the decision of Judge WJ. Kilby as to whether he will be humane enough to remove the $300 fine imposed by the jury of white men who tried the case.
It is an admitted principle of law at the meteing of even exact justice often works a hardship upon the accused and therefore discretionary powers are vested in the judiciary and pardoning power in the Chief Executive.
That lt should not have been exericised without the asking has been a surprlse to us, and that race prejudice should have figured so conspicuously in the case as astounding as it was manifest.
Why should this man be punished further? Has he taken up arms against the state? Has he impugned the motives of the court? Has he waylaid a citizen? Has he committed murder?
If none of these, why has he been hounded by the officers of the law? Why is he now confined in the Suffolk jail?
John Cartwright charged him with burning his house.
The jury of white men reluctantly said, "Not guilty."
John Cartwright charged him with poisoning his horses.
The jury of white men said, "Not guilty."
Then why is it that he is held in the county jail at Suffolk? You say he sold a little whiskey from a flask without a license. Was this crime a capital offense?
He was fined $300. Why was it not made a million dollars? He would have been just as able to pay it as he is the amount you have assessed against him. In his present feverish, excited wounded condition, his body would not bring half that amount-not even is subject for scientific Investigation upon the dissecting table of a medical institution...
Makes countless thousands mourn”
The assertion of the writer was never more literally demonstrated than in the case of Isaac Jenkins, now confined in the jail at Suffolk, VA awaiting the decision of Judge WJ. Kilby as to whether he will be humane enough to remove the $300 fine imposed by the jury of white men who tried the case.
It is an admitted principle of law at the meteing of even exact justice often works a hardship upon the accused and therefore discretionary powers are vested in the judiciary and pardoning power in the Chief Executive.
That lt should not have been exericised without the asking has been a surprlse to us, and that race prejudice should have figured so conspicuously in the case as astounding as it was manifest.
Why should this man be punished further? Has he taken up arms against the state? Has he impugned the motives of the court? Has he waylaid a citizen? Has he committed murder?
If none of these, why has he been hounded by the officers of the law? Why is he now confined in the Suffolk jail?
John Cartwright charged him with burning his house.
The jury of white men reluctantly said, "Not guilty."
John Cartwright charged him with poisoning his horses.
The jury of white men said, "Not guilty."
Then why is it that he is held in the county jail at Suffolk? You say he sold a little whiskey from a flask without a license. Was this crime a capital offense?
He was fined $300. Why was it not made a million dollars? He would have been just as able to pay it as he is the amount you have assessed against him. In his present feverish, excited wounded condition, his body would not bring half that amount-not even is subject for scientific Investigation upon the dissecting table of a medical institution...
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Upper Right Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Carlos Serrano
Citation
“Suffering Isaac Jenkins,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed May 12, 2025, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1564.