RHODES, JH - attempted abortion death
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 7-7-1888
A few weeks ago a woman named Amanda Barker, claiming to hail from Covington arrived at Lafayette in company with a man named Rhodes. She was taken very ill with typhoid fever and was removed to the Home of the Friendless. She was taken from there by Rhodes to a private house where her death occurred under very suspicious circumstances. A postmortem revealed the fact that an attempt at abortion had been made and was probably the immediate cause of death. The woman laid her misfortune at the door of a wealthy resident of Fountain County who was married a few weeks ago and who had give her $100 to get out of the county, sending Rhodes with her. Since her death, however, Rhoades tells another story. The following is from the Call: Rhodes says that he is a resident of Covington and brought the woman here at her own request and insists that he is not the responsible party but that one Price of Crawfordsville is responsible. Rhodes says the father of the girl resides at Crawfordsville and that he brought her here at her own request and for humanity’s sake. There is a mystery connected with the affair which remains to be solved. The coroner and prosecutor have the matter in charge.
Source: Crawfordsville Review, January 11, 1890
The trial of Joseph Rhodes, a prominent citizen of Covington, on the charge of abortion, which has been continued from the time to time in Tippecanoe circuit court, occurred at Lafayette last week. Rhodes was charged with abortion, causing death of Amanda Barker, a young lady who, it is alleged, he had seduced. The abortion took place in Lafayette and she died there. Rhodes was vigorously prosecuted by the State's attorney and he made a determined defence. The jury went out Saturday evening last and returned a sealed verdict Sunday morning at 10 o'clock. It found Rhodes guilty as charged, sentenced him to three years in prison north and imposed a fine of $50. People were quite generally surprised as they expected a verdict of acquittal. They also find fault with the jury in finding Rhodes guilty and then imposing such a slight punishment.
The trial of Joseph Rhodes, a prominent citizen of Covington, on the charge of abortion, which has been continued from the time to time in Tippecanoe circuit court, occurred at Lafayette last week. Rhodes was charged with abortion, causing death of Amanda Barker, a young lady who, it is alleged, he had seduced. The abortion took place in Lafayette and she died there. Rhodes was vigorously prosecuted by the State's attorney and he made a determined defence. The jury went out Saturday evening last and returned a sealed verdict Sunday morning at 10 o'clock. It found Rhodes guilty as charged, sentenced him to three years in prison north and imposed a fine of $50. People were quite generally surprised as they expected a verdict of acquittal. They also find fault with the jury in finding Rhodes guilty and then imposing such a slight punishment.
Source: Indiana State Sentinel July 4, 1888 – Note: He went on June 5, 1890 and was released May 18, 1891, not even a year later ☹
Lafayette July 1- JM Rhodes who accompanied Miss Amanda Barker here from Covington was arraigned yesterday charged with procuring abortion which caused her death last Wednesday. Evidence against him was so strong that he was bound over in the sum of $1,000.