The Aftermath for Joshua Botkins and Ida Bullock

 

L to R: Jesse Bullock, Arthur Bullock on the lap of his mother, Ida May, and Earl Bullock, who testified in court at age 7

The Aftermath for Joshua Botkins

and Ida, Earl and Jesse Bullocks

In the Defiance Crescent of September 11, 1920, a Second Degree Murder Charge was announced against Botkins. That very day, motions to appeal were filed by his defense team, T. Hamilton and H. Mullholand.

Even before that, the attorneys were trying to get a manslaughter charge (on July 4) based largely on Peter Kintner's conversation with Botkins as they were going on their errand:

Botkins said, "Peter, I gave him a hell of a whipping. May said she thought I killed him, but I said the latter will be up for supper when we get back...I'm getting the boys broke of some dirty habits." Kintner noticed his sweating and nervous disposition, along with a very restless nature. 

The Judge overruled the motion to appeal at that time.  However, the case eventually went to the Court of Appeals anyway, who ruled on January 10, 1921, that the charge of Second Degree Murder would stay, Joshua Botkins was sentenced to a life of hard labor at the Ohio Penitentiary.

Unknown to the Defiance citizenry, Botkins made many threats of suicide that law enforcement did not share publicly. Finally, on February 4, 1921, the day he was to leave for imprisonment in Columbus, he carried out his threat.

The Crescent-News, February 4, 1921, p. 1:

"BOTKINS ATTEMPTS SUICIDE IN CELL OF COUNTY JAIL

After Bragging That He Would Never Go to the Pen Alive, 

Tries to Electrocute Himself, Using Electric Light Cord."

The day he was to go to the pen, he made his attempt and not one person witnessed it, although he was on a close watch. He stood in a pail of water beneath the light then, unscrewing the light bulb, reached up with his hands to touch the wires. He was stopped but needed meds for the electric shock. 

That afternoon, he was taken to the train station by Sheriff Charles Zeschke and his deputy, F. Lester Hays, with the estimation of arriving in Columbus about 9 that evening.

After ten years, Botkins sought parole and it was declined. He tried again in 1933 but was doomed again to serve out his life term.

After the Botkins conviction, Mrs. Bullock returned home to her grandfather's farm near Buckland, Ohio. Her other sons had been housed in the Children's Home, and it was unclear whether she was allowed to take them with her.

Joshua Botkins was buried as a prisoner in the State Old Insane and Penal Cemetery in Columbus. 

Dianne Kline, Researcher