The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1855-10-17
3tttstetlaneous.

[Frcm the New York Times.
The Helen Jewett tragedy.

TnEaE seems to BE- 10 doubt of the
truth of the report that Richard P Ro-
binson, the rcputed murderer of Helen
Jewet, died rcce.,'ly at louisville, Ken
tucky. The letter from the proprietor
of the Cat House to the editor of the
New Haven paper, from which We cop
led it, was very explicit, and. seemed to
be conclusive The death of Robinson
has revived in the public mind the rec
election of one of the most remarkable
Of tle many dramatic and thrilling oc-
chrrcnces of which our city has been the
=seeue. Robinson was acquitted of the
murder, but public opinion at that time
considered him guilty, aud this convic-
tion of his gs:ilt has bcen.rather strength
ened that impaired with the lapse o.
time. Robinson himself always assert
ed his inuoceuce, and never, from first
to last, by word or act, even Ia his most
ungnafded moments, betrayed anything
like the consciousness cf guilt. When
he was first arrested ron the Sunday
morning tie murder was commit
ted, bis manner was easy and perfectly
seifposscssel. lie was asleep at his
boardiGg-housc 10 Dey street, when the
officer rapped-loud!y atsthe street door
His roon-mato-a youag inan named
Tew@heard the noise, got up, and going
to the door of the rootn, heard the per-
sons who had ontered inquire for Rob.
inson He walked Rebiuson, who was
Sleeping soundIy, sad told him some
gentlemen wished to see him He ask.
ed whether he should get up, Or whcth-
er they could see him as he was. Bring
told they wished to see him in private,
he got up, dressed himself, w@ut into
the hall to see them, came back and told
Tew lie was going out with them, at
their request, though he did not know
for what purpose, and thatyhe would be
back by breakfast time There was aot
the remotest indication. from his mai
ner, his language or his looks, according
to the testimony both of Tew. aud the
officers, that he had the slightest. sus-
Dicion of the erraud on which they had
come
We have heard it stated that when
Ogden Hoffman call d upon him, after
being engaged for his defense, he said to
him g Nov, Robinson, whether you
ire guilty or innocent, L have made up
ny mind to defend you. 1 want you,
therefore. for your own sake, to tell me
distinctly and truly all the circumstan-
;es of the affair, exactly as they occur
ed, for it will be necessary for me to
Inow tho precise truth of the whole
Robinson paused mo-
nent, looked him full aud steadily in
he face, and replied: As God is my
udge, MIR. Hoffman, know no more
bout the death of that girl th4n you
10 p
About two years ago, as Mr.. Hoffman
at in his Office In Wall-street, gentle
pan walked in, and coming up to bim
aid "This is Mr. Hoffman; see you
o not remember me my name is Rob
nson." He then spoke of himself; said
e was living in Texas and doing well,
nd added that he had no particular rea
on for calling, nor did he suppose it
natter of any consequence what he
hould say in regard to the question of
is guilt or innocence of the murder of
Ielen Jewett. But, without expee,-
lg to change Mr.. Hoffman's opinion on
be subject. whatever it might be, he
bought itsmight be satisfaction to
inself to call uponehim, and say, after
he lapse of nearly twenty years, that
e was perfectly i,aaocen of the crime
hat was laid to his charge.
Whether he was guilty or innocent,
;, at this late day, matter rather Of
peculative than practical Importance.
here were three persons, to q greater