The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-08-14
CITY INTELLIGENCE.
F0r Addittona! Ctty InteA,gence See zAtrd Page.

APARALLEL BETWEEN THE MURDERERs
NEWTON CHAMPION AND RICHARD p. ROBINSON,
THE RRPUTED MURDERER OF HELEN JEwETT.-
In glancIng over the chronicles of crime we
are often startled by the great similarity of the
details of crimes that have been committed at
long intervals of time. 1t is sad though
instructive lesson to trace up the general
points OF resemblance, and analyze the apparent
causes and motives OF action.
Those OF us who we're living at the time well
remen Der the fearful excitement caused by the
murder OF a celebrated courtesan IN New York,
IN 1888. The supposed murderer, like the muir
derer Of the late Mary Carney, perpetra led the
act with the greatest GOODNESS and delberation.
Robinson was a man OF generally good char
racter. He was IN respectable circumstances,
and in good social standing. For several years
he had been consorting with his victim, when
in fit of jealousy he murdered her in cold
blood.
With the coolest nonchalance he strobe from
the house where the corpse of his victim lay
wrapped in her bloody sheet, and, as measure
of precaution, he set fire to the bed on which it
lay, to destroy the evidence of his handiwork.
Without palg OF remorse, he faced his fellows
in the broad light OF day with an unchanged
countenance. Arrested and brought before the
tribunal OF the law, the same stoical inditfer
ence marked his demeanor as marked that of
Newton Champion. As evidence upon evidence
was piled up against him, and the death penalty
seemed hanging threateningly over his head, he
still maintained the same stony composure.
And when, after he had been acquitted, when
all expected the dread sentence of guilty to
have been brought in against him. he walked
out with the stolcism of Probst amidst the
raging of fearfully incensed mob.
Newton Champion is also man OF the most
respectable family and connection. When the
war broke out that has so recently distracted
our country, he was serving in highly honora-
BILE position as an officer in our navy. His
conduct was irreproachab!e, and he was re-
spected bv all. The future was bright before
him, and little could he even have dreamed of
the fearful cloud that was rising as yet below
the line OF his horizon.
But time went on, and Champion, who was
serving as an engineer on an iron-clad IN
Charleston, resigned on account OF sickness con-
tracted in the line of duty in the service of his
county. Sick in body and mind, he, finding
his desire to get to his home could not be
granted resigned. From that moment his fall
began. Coming home to this city in the latter
part OF 1868 he made the acquaintance of fair
but fallen woman-Mary Carney. The acquaint-
ance, began in niquity, soon destroyed all the
moral sense OF the deluded man. He went from
one folly 10 another.
In a vain endeavor to fly from destruction he
again enlisted in our army, and from thence
was drafted into that navy where he had held a
responsible position as an officer, in the capa-
city OF coalheaver. But even this could not
save him He appeared to be doomed. Weak
ened In mind he returned to this city in January,
after receiving his discharge, only to renew his
intercourse with the same woman who had been
the cause of his ruin; and from that time his
fall has been rapid. Weakened mentally and
physically by his dissipation he sacrificed
everything in his unholy passion for his victim.
Home, friends sell, all were forgotten.
We know the sequel. We have heard the
dreadful, sickenlng details OF the cool.blooded
tragedy. 1t is fresh in the memories of all, and
we need refer to 1t no further than to remark
how similarly both she and Helen Jewett were
butchered-the nOnChalance and satanic cool.
ness of the murderer Ill each case. There did not
appear to be any systematic plan to avoid detec
ton in either case, and the evidence against
Robinson was seemingly overwhelming, as 1T is
against Newton Champion. 1t remains to be
seen how the latter will come out at his trial.
Both of the victims were women Of like char
acter Handsome, accomplished, and attractive
in their persona alsappearance they were danger
Gus members of society TO the young men of the
cities. Both commenced life amidst the purify
ing influence of happy country lite. The!
both shaped their own liie lived course OF sli
and shame, and met the same fearful end. Wha
a field for moral reflection Il the. lives of tn
actors in those fearful tragedies OF life! The
should be examples to all who are rushing tn
same rood TO destruction, but who, with blinde
eyes, will not see the breakers ahead.