The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1855-10-17

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suspected Of the murder; two Of them, in
Guiding Robinson, have gone TO their las
account; the other, Rosia Townsend, tn
keeper Of the house where the tragedy tool
place, left the city soon after and returned
to her early home, at Castleton, near Alba
ny, where she had lived before removing tc
Cincinnati with her husband, who there de-
serted her for another woman, from which
place she came to this city. She has since
married carpenter and become a member
Of the Church, and is said to have lived a
secluded, exemplary aud charitable life
Her house stands upon the hill that over
looks the village; and the railroad traveller
can catch glimpse of its roof and piazza as
the rapid train whirls him BY None Of
these parties, and probably no others, would
now be affected by airy change or oenGrma-
tion of public opinion as to Robinson's guilt.
Yet it may not be useless to refer to sun.
dry Circumstances connected with the case
some Of which have never before been made
| puklc-which tend to show that the verdict
of the Jury was justified by the evidence,
and that any other result than the one
reached, however it ight have coincided
with public opinion then or since, would
have lacked the only just basis of judicial
proceedings positive and inevitable proof.
All the evidence in the case was crcum.
stancial. Robinson was known to have been
with Helen on the night she was murdered
Rosina Townsend testified that he came
there between eight and nine O'clock Two
testified that,he came homs between twelve
and one O'clock. No one was known tc
have seen Helen after twelve her murder
was discovered at about three. Robinson
was therefore, presumed TO have been the
only one with her that night. His cloak
was found in yard adjoining the back yard
Of Rosina Townsend's house; and Ratchet
known to belong to the store where he was
employed, was proved to have done the
deed Of murder, and was found in the yard
of the yard itself. These were the main
facts proved against him. The Jury thought
them inconclusIve. Public rumor, seeking
a motive for the murder, said that Robin
son was engaged to be married-that his
relations with Helen Jewett created an en-
barrassment and an obstacle--that. she
threatened to expose him, and that he killed
her 70 prevent the exposure and obtain &c .
lease. None but mailman, it strikes us,
would dream Of obtaining freedom and re-
lease BY such means; and Robnson's who le
demeanor proves him to have been anything
but reckless, uncalculaiug impusiye per
son, aud far too sensible to have acted upon
such plan.
We do not know, that Robinson. himself
ever made any pubic statement Of his con-
nection, or any explanation Of the circum.
stances which bore most strongly against
him. But to h is friends he did; and as
some Of his explanations have come to our
knowledge, we shall make them public
Being forced to rely upon recollections for
the. facts, we may not be able to give them
with precise accuracy, but sufficiently SO
we trust, for all practical purposes.
Robinson said that he had long bsen ;nti-
mate with Helen, that she was strongly at
Lached to him, and that be was also fond Of
her; but that he had decided upon break
ny of the intimacy, and had informed her
of that fact. At their last interview pre-
vous to the night Of her death, he had told
her he should not see her again. She had
against his leaving her, and
had begged him to come once more even
t was for the last time. He ha at last
and agreed to meet her on Sat
lrdly night, but said he should then take
cave Of her forever. His being there that |
hight was in fulfilment Of that engagement.
Fhe fact that the hatchet and cloak were |
here also, and were left there after he went
sway las be declared he did before twelve
,'cIock-was explained in this way S5
The hatchet was one used in The store
where he was employed. . A day or two
previous to the date in question, he bad
ried to use the Ratchet to cut the bands |
lpon some boxes, butYhad found it Too dull |
or use. He hadspoken of this to- one Of
hesporter's in the store, had called his at
sntion to the factthati the hatchet would |
atlall, and chad told him he
would take itaup town and have il sharpened. |
0n,the Saturday night in question he had,
4atakenagthe, haichet away with
iim,saud, putting il uuder his cloak, {, q had
started with itdor same street abovea Canal,
he namelof Rhichwe have fors often. where
areiusually done. aa0na his way
leIstoeped al Rosiia Townsend 'sbloi cali on
deIea, as he had promised, butiintending
o stay bai ashort time. inShe urged ahim
refystrongly to remain. and hslstaidalanlil
twas top late togoon the errand for which
lanhadsgtarted. hiAsihe FoseEtoygoa away,
Ielen drgod him to come and SEQ her once
aors,, but he refdsed:to do 50. She finally
a rent ip his CLOAK; told him he
p0stleayet il for her n mend, and that thep
"a wpnld be obliged al least to cap again