The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-07-21
A Dassassiiy Crime.
From re Lexington tKyJ Observer

The trial OF Il. II. Champ for rape upon
his dead brothers wife, terminated last
week with verdict OF the jury pronoupcipg
him guilty, and aflixing his punishment at
fifteen years imprisonment in the peniten.
tiary
|, has been the theme o. conversation in
oil circles, and matter OF the mos. serious
thonght aud deepest consideration. with
young aud Old The unnatural deed pro.
ducei "A sensation IN the public mind, at the
! time Of the occurrence. which has scarcely
| been allayed by the termination OF the pro.
,ractei legal investigation aud the severe
though just verdict OF the intelligent jury.
The earnest efforts OF the ablcs, and mos,
eloquent counsel that cou ID be obtained,
failed 10 establish even shadow OF doub,
rs 10 The guilt Of the accused ard feeling
OF rehei was evidently diilused throughout
| the crowded court room. when the decree of
the jury was announced by the court The
case had been removed, 10y the change OF
venue, from the county in which the offence
was committed, 10 avoid the excitement that
there existed. and thereby secure a fair and
impartial hearing. Tha, hearing was had,
| ubu wv ttruit " uIIVuuNtN uUuNt.
The facts ELECTED by the investigation are
us nearly as we can gather them briefly as
follows Mrs. Sallic Champ, upon whom
the crime was committed, is the widow of
the brother Of the accused--a lady twenty
eight years Of age. the mother OF four chill
dren, and has been widow six years 10
person she Is attractive. slender in form,
rather above the medium height, with deli.
ca,ey chisced face, chestnut hair, fine eyes,
aud the air OF modest. intellectual lady,
accustomed to good society. In her youth
she had been accounted beautiful From
her birth Sue has resided in Bourbon coun.
ty where she has sustained a character of
the highest responsibility. Robert IL.
Champ Is Il married man, with wife and
children living, and his residence is also In
Bourbon county in the vicinity Of that Of
the widow, lie is stout. athletic man, OF
fine appearance, about % years OF age. BE.
Ing her brother inlaw and paying her affairs
some attention. he wa, at all times, a wei
come visitor 10 her house, and she regarded
him in the light OF lricpd. whose advice
and counsel might be implicitly trusted.
Both are said to be IN good circumstances.
il no, wealthy. Three days before this
shameless aud diabolical occurrence, he nc.
compaDicd her to picnic in the ncighbor.
hood when riding alone with her, he used
language 80 offensive 10 her feelings. and
shocking TO her sense Of morality aud virtue
that she repulsed him scornfully. and after
that was more guarded in Der intercourse
and KEEP, az much a. possible a!oof from
him.
On bright june morning, while in pur.
suit Of her domestic duties, Mr.. Champ was
announced, and she politely received him at
the door Of her hospitabe house. lie took
a seat IN the hall, the lady seated herself on
the opposite side, when, after the customary
sautations had been interchaDged, she 10.
formed him that she expected company that
day, and had some preparations for their
reception and entertainment 10 superlnteDd.
This apolegetc invitation TO him 10 retire
had not the desired effect, as be Immediately
said ! wish to see your new parlor cur.
tains, as ] intend 70 buy yet like them II
they please me. Win you show them 10
me'' So SOON said the lady, "as give
some directions 10 the cook, will do 20, bat
have little time 10 spare just now
Upon her return they proceeded together
TO the parlor, and when reaching the win.
dow she attempted 10 open the shutter the
better 40 admit the light upon turning her
head she discovered that the door bad been
closed by Champ, who had now approached
close 10 her. She asked him If the curtains
were not handsome. They are beautiful,
said he, /" but not half 50 beautiful ~ you
are" ard in an instant bis strong arm en-
circlcd her waist, while with the other hand
be applied vial 10 her nose. Her senses De.
serted Der and size knew no more until. when
recovering, she found herself stretched upon
the floor, and saw her pursuer rising from
her. The lady, terrified and faint, teebly
staggered 10 the door, ard in an attempt 10
call for assistance, Tell again she rose, and
moving few pacs. fell second time.
Champ, 10 the meantime, had skplked from
the scene Of bis guilt.
This man returned 20 comfort his victim, |
that be might bear himself denounced by her |
o~nlips, and bis damnibg deed proclaimed ia |
the presence Of terrified witneSe. lie dc.
clsred her 20 be crazy, and endeay0el 10 |
impress this opinion upon the bys,aDders. |
The poor woman, IN her agony, turning 70
relative. said Robert Champ has ruined
mel am ruined woman get the gun and |
shoot ne. Robert Champ yet ou, d my
house
The lady remained 10 a state Of grea,
prostratioD for several weeks after the &C.
curebce. Indeed from the ,eebie manner
10 which DE tottefed from the Court House.
after relating from The wi,De.s .,spd the
painful story Of The terrible and aggravated
wrong she had sustained, IL would seem that
.be had not ye, wholly recovered. The
above ia briefly the history Of this remarka-
bic case az We CLEANED !. from The fact. de-
vel0pel al the trial.