Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-07-04
Irrom the Ie.lngtoa observer ana Rspor.sr.
The bourbon County rape.

ne Bourbon county kkapes
The trial of Robert II. Champ for the COM
initial of rape upon his dead brothers wife,
which terminated last week with verdict OF
the jury prononncing him guilty. and affix
ing his punishment at fifteen years imprisoD-
ment in the penitentiaTy was so full of excit-
ing interest, that more extended notice
than any we have heretofore published. may
not be now out of place. 1t has been the
theme of conversation In all circles, and
matter of the most serious thought and deep
est consideration, with young and old. The
unnatural deed-shockiBg and revolving in
its disgusting details-prodnced a sensation
in The public mind, at the time of the occur
renee, which has scarcely been allaycd 10y the
| termination of the proiracied legal investi-
CATION and the servere though Just verdict of
the intelligent jury. The earnest efforts of
the ablest and most eloquent counsel that
could be obtained. failed to establish shadow
of doubt as to the guilt of the accused; and
a feeling of relief was evidently dffused
throughout the crowded court room. when Tie
decree OF the jury was announced. The
case Lad been removed. by change of venue,
from the county in which the offence bad been
committed, to avoid excitement thai there ex-
isted, and thereby secure fair aud impartial
hearing. That bearing was bad, and the re-
suit is announce above.
The facts elected by the investigation. are,
as nearly as we can gather them, briefly as
follows: Mrs. Sallie Champ. upon whom The
blackening crime was committed, is the widow
OF the brother OF the accused lady twenty
eight years OF age, the mother offour children
and has been widow six years. In person.
she is attractive-sl ndcr in form. rather
above the medium height, with a drlicately
chiselled face, chustnut hair. fine eyes-and
the air of a modest. intellectual lady. accus-
toned to good society. In her youth she
had been accounted beautiful, when.
OF her bright face, one glance would trace,
picture the brain.
The linsaments of that youthful beauty vet
remain observable and this it was that ex-
cited the hellish lust of her unfe,ling perse-
cutor. From her birth she has resided 10
Bourbon county, whore she has sustained
character of the highest respectability. Robt
III. Champ married man. with a wife and
children living, and his residence is also in
in Bourbon county, in the vicinity of that of
the widow. He is stout. athletic man. of
fac appearance, about 35 years of age, with
n lecherOus cast of features. Being her
brother-in-law. and paying her affairs some at
tentiOn. he had been, at all times, a welcome
visitor to her house, and she regarded him in
the ight of a friend, whose advice and coun-
sells might he implicitly trusted. Both are
said to be in good circumstances, if not
where he was universally kindlyr ceived and
treated reliable friend and relative. She
had no cause to doubt the sincerity of his
manifestations of diSinterested friendship I'M
til short time preceding the brutal deed for
which he is to suffer the penalty of the law.
Three days before this shameless and diaboli-
cal occurrence. he accompanied her to pic
mic in The neighbofhOOd; when, riding alone
with her, he used language so offensive to her
tp,IinUs and ShockiuU N hpr sense of moral
ity and virtue, that she repulst him scOrn-
fully; and after that was more guarded in
her intercourse and kept as much as possible
aloof from him. On a bright June morning.
whilst in the pursuit of her domestic duties.
Mr.. Champ was announced, and she politely
received him at the door of hr bospitablc
house. He look seat in the hall. the lady
seated herself on the opposite side. when. af-
ter the customary SITUATIONS had b en- in
terchangPd, she informed him that she ex-
pected company that day. and had some pre-
paratioEs for their reception and entertain
ment TO superintend. This apologize invi-
tation TO him to retire. had not the desired
{ fleet az he Immediately said: Il wish to see
your parlor curtains, as intend to buy set
like them ifthey please me. VIII you show
them to me- $50 soOn," said the lady. ''as
] give some directions to the cook. | will do
so, bat have but little time to spare just
now"
Upon her return they proceeded together to
the parlor, and when reaching the window
she attempted to open the shutter to better
admit the light upon turning her head she
discovered that the door had been closed by
Champ, who now approached close to her.
She asked him if the curtains were not hand
some. "They are beautiful" said he, ''but
not half so beautiful as you are, and in an
instant his strong arm encircled her waist
while with the other hand he applied vial
to her nose. Her senses desert her and sh"
knew no more until, when recovering, she
found herself stretched upon the floor. and
saw her hellish pursuer rising from her. The
lady, terrf and faint feebly stagcer to
the door, and in an attempt to call for assis-
lance, fell /; again she rose and moving few
PAGES fill a second time. Champi in the mean
time had skulkrd f. ON The scene OF his guilt
bfncath the roof where he bad been received
as friendly guest, as did the terror struck
Macbeth from the good king Duncan's cham
Der after his foul murder. But unlike the
bloody Thane. who could not be goaded. even
by the fierce eloquence of his daring wife 10
see that his work had been well DONE declar-
ing
I'll go more
] am afraid to think what have done:
Look ont again, iare not