The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1853-09-08
EXECUTION or RoBr. ROBINSON,


Saturday will long be remembered by TIT
citizens OF Alexandra. For the first time 10
ten years was Campbell county the scene o
public execution. The excitement was
general, but not intense; and notwifhstahd.
ing the sight cht sen for the illegal sacrihee
was public, but about FIVE hundred persons
assembled to see the stern letter OF the Ia"
carried into effect. The day was unPieas'
ant, the roads bad, nevertheless the majority
of those present came from considerable
distance. The solemn quiet that reigned
around was indicative of the impression the
sad scene made upon the assembled crowd,
and told well for the order-loving citizens of
Kentucky.
For some time past the prisoner appeared
clemency to intervene between him and his
awful fate. For a long time, in fact ever
since his conviction, he entertained a belief
that the public were prSudiced against him.
His spiritual adviser, Baptist clergyman,
talked with him repeatedly on the subject,
but he never, until the last moment Of his
lite, could be induced to change his ideas on
the matter. About a fortnight ago, he sue
ceeded in working passage through his cell
and would have escaped, but he was SO fright.
ened at the appearance of a dog in the Jail
yard, and so great was his dread OF conflict
with the animal, that he went back az ain
Since his attempted escape he has been
guarded day and night, and kept secure until
the fatal tree should claim him as food.
About four o'clock Saturday morning, he
told the guard that their presence annoyed
him, and that he wished to be alone for quiet
and repose. The guard went into an adJoia.
ing room, and the prisoner extinguished the
light, and gave token that he had retired to
his couch. At last a noise was heard; the
guard rushed to the cell and found it covered
with blood. He had bandaged his arm, and
severed the vein, with the view of committing
suicide. He was nearly dead when found,
and it was only by the prompt conduct Of the
sheriff, Charles Stricken, Esq, who admins.
tered powerful restoratives, that he was kept
alive until the hour appointed for his execu-
ton.
About 0 o'clock the sheriff went into his
cell to prepare him to meet his death. He
shook hands with the sheriff, and said, "Ah!
Charley, you know me; we played together
when we were mere boys, and never thought
you would have to hang the, but am ready to
go with YOU"
The sheriff at once proceeded to discharge
his imperative duty. He allowed the unhap-
py man all the privileges he possibly could.
He spoke kindly to him and answered all his
interrogatories. The prisoner refused to take
any food, but he drank little coffee. His
conversation in the cell we did not listen to
attentively, os we were made aware that he
would speak his mind openly on the scaffold.
About ii O'Clock the procession commenced
moving. The prisoner was placed in car
containing his coffin. His appearance was
wretched. Poor, detected, trembling wretch,
we pitied him as we gazed upon his uncarthly
looking cheek. He was 50 weak that he tot
tered Ike child. The excessive loss of
blood few hours before, his long, restless
nights, aud the anticipation of the terrible
reality before him, completely Frustrated him.
As the line began to move, an old man step
ped up aud told him to meet his fate like a
man. 1t was a fathers advice to his dying
criminal son!
By the time he reached the gallows, he ap.
peared to have rallied considerably. He
walked boldly up the steps, and had not his
arms been fettered we do not think he would
have required the slightest assistance. He
was followed by the sheriff, the jalor. the
clergyman, the legal assistants, and the re-
porters OF the press.
As soon as he reached the platform he
krelt down and Joined the clergyman in pray.
er, after which he rose and made a speech,
averring his innocence of the crime; stating
that he did not intend to kill Gard-that the
gun went off accidentally, &c.
Immediately after his address prayer was
offered up. He then commenced actiAe con-
versation with those assembled around
Once or twice he smiled. One gentleman os
the press Intercepted him so closely that he
ev inced some little chagrin. Still the asst.
duous gentleman kept on writing and talking
unit the prisoner tainted from exhaustion.
He soon rallied, but it was evident that he
was almost dying of weakness. He sank
twice, aud the last time We thought that the
Sheriff would have ifeless corpse to swing
between heaven and earth, i'm lieu Of a tremb-
ling criminal.
At about thirty minutes past twelve, the
Sheriff gave token that the hour for the con.
demned had arrived. He minated to the of.
icer that he was anxious TO 60. As we re-
turned to leave the gallows, he said, "Gen.
tlemen you who are reporters or editors, / am
willing to answer anything you require, but
do ne justice, gentlemen, let me be under.
stood. Oh! gentlemen the most dreadful
thing was to part this day week from my
dear companion my, wife," He then turned
to tine Sheriff and said, "Charley, give me a
little chance-a long fall; you never thought
it would be your duty to hang me, d d you"
The Sheriff appeared sad when he answered,
"Bob have known you for twenty years"
The condemned man then walked boldly
to the trap; the rooe was adjusted, and every
thing was ready. He stood erect, and with
loud voice exclaimed, "Hear my last words:
] did not intend to commit wilful murder; but
| am willing tn suffer!" The Sheriff then
drew the cap over his eyes, and shook him
by the hand, and before the criminal had
time to realize his situation, the trap gave
way and his body was dangling in the air.