Isaac Jenkins’ Case
January 27, 1894
Summary
A “Negro” man was wrongfully convicted by authorities and mistreated in prison.
Transcription
The case of Isaac Jenkins, who was beaten, banged and shot, yet walked thirteen miles into Norfolk is one of the most remarkable in the criminal annals ot this country.
His subsequent treatment presents a phase of human depravity and heartlessness that is startling in its proportions. We have seen Jenkins and are accordingly well advised as to his sufferings.
He has been tried upon the charge of barn-burning and sequitted. He is now held upon the charge of poisoning horses and selling whiskey without a license.
Is it possible that the prosecuting officer ls heartless or does his fidelity to duty extend in only one direction?
What effort has been made to bring Isaac Jenkins' lynchers to justice ? The sheriff and commonwealth’s attorney of Nansemond Co. know well the ordeal through which this man, Jenkins has passed. They know of the nine wounds in his head, the abrasion around his neck, with the two bullet holes in the same. They know that he has never been in a hospital, was kept in a common jail, and subjected to all of the tortures which necessarily accompanies such treatment.
What have they done to bring Jenkins would be murderers to justice?
A felony has been committed in Nansemond Co. A citizen of that county has been treated worse than a brute and the law decrees that his assailant shall be sent to the Virginia penitentiary.
Is Commonwealth's Attorney Holland a Christian? Does he belong to that army that pays homage to the spotless character of the Lamb? Has he ever asked God to forgive his sins, or has he driven rough-shod over conscience, challenged destiny and taken his chances with the unforgiven minions of this sinful world?
Is Sheriff Baker a Christian? Has he felt the saving grace of the redeeming love, or does he too trust in might rather than right and fail to perform a duty in accordance with an oath, which is as solemn as the one taken at the masonic attar. Gentlemen, there is a day of reckoning. There is a time when the secrets of all hearts will be made manifest and that which you mete to Jenkins will be measured to you again. On with the torture! Continue to keep him confined behind prison doors even though he has suffered one death at the hands of the mob, but God will hold you responsible.
But a few more days and solemn dirges will be sung, a crowd of relatives will follow one or the other, possibly both of you to your long home.
The falling of the clods upon your coffin will tell those left behind that there is no repentance beyond the grave. The memory of the fact that one prosecuted a helpless, defenseless, almost cowering man, essaying to put upon him further punishment when he had been trebly injured, and that the other failed to do his sworn duty in bringing his would-be murderers to justice will cause tears of regret to course down the cheeks of the loved ones left behind and a damning remorse to accompany your soul to the spirit land.
What will you do with Jenkins? And grant that your eyes may be opened to the injustice of existing conditions and that this helpless man may not be subjected to further persecution at the hands of those who should be his strongest protectors. Lynch-law must go!
His subsequent treatment presents a phase of human depravity and heartlessness that is startling in its proportions. We have seen Jenkins and are accordingly well advised as to his sufferings.
He has been tried upon the charge of barn-burning and sequitted. He is now held upon the charge of poisoning horses and selling whiskey without a license.
Is it possible that the prosecuting officer ls heartless or does his fidelity to duty extend in only one direction?
What effort has been made to bring Isaac Jenkins' lynchers to justice ? The sheriff and commonwealth’s attorney of Nansemond Co. know well the ordeal through which this man, Jenkins has passed. They know of the nine wounds in his head, the abrasion around his neck, with the two bullet holes in the same. They know that he has never been in a hospital, was kept in a common jail, and subjected to all of the tortures which necessarily accompanies such treatment.
What have they done to bring Jenkins would be murderers to justice?
A felony has been committed in Nansemond Co. A citizen of that county has been treated worse than a brute and the law decrees that his assailant shall be sent to the Virginia penitentiary.
Is Commonwealth's Attorney Holland a Christian? Does he belong to that army that pays homage to the spotless character of the Lamb? Has he ever asked God to forgive his sins, or has he driven rough-shod over conscience, challenged destiny and taken his chances with the unforgiven minions of this sinful world?
Is Sheriff Baker a Christian? Has he felt the saving grace of the redeeming love, or does he too trust in might rather than right and fail to perform a duty in accordance with an oath, which is as solemn as the one taken at the masonic attar. Gentlemen, there is a day of reckoning. There is a time when the secrets of all hearts will be made manifest and that which you mete to Jenkins will be measured to you again. On with the torture! Continue to keep him confined behind prison doors even though he has suffered one death at the hands of the mob, but God will hold you responsible.
But a few more days and solemn dirges will be sung, a crowd of relatives will follow one or the other, possibly both of you to your long home.
The falling of the clods upon your coffin will tell those left behind that there is no repentance beyond the grave. The memory of the fact that one prosecuted a helpless, defenseless, almost cowering man, essaying to put upon him further punishment when he had been trebly injured, and that the other failed to do his sworn duty in bringing his would-be murderers to justice will cause tears of regret to course down the cheeks of the loved ones left behind and a damning remorse to accompany your soul to the spirit land.
What will you do with Jenkins? And grant that your eyes may be opened to the injustice of existing conditions and that this helpless man may not be subjected to further persecution at the hands of those who should be his strongest protectors. Lynch-law must go!
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Lower Right Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Carlos Serrano
Citation
“Isaac Jenkins’ Case,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed May 12, 2025, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/71.