The New York herald., 1872-11-16
TNE "VEILED MuRDERESS."
Singular Developments in the Female Prison
Of Sing Sing.
How Henrietta Robinson, the Troy Borgia
Contradicted- Woman Still Retains
Her Intellectual Equilibrium-Remi-
niscences OF Startling Tragedy

Among the twelve hundred graduates in the
school OF crime who are immured within the walls
OF the male and female prisons ut Sing Sing there
is, perhaps none whose life presents more OF ro-
nance, mystery and moral obliquity than Henrietta
! Robinson, better known as "rhe Yelled Murder
ess." This eccentric inconsistent and wayward
woman, who has already told OF eighteen years of
life sentence in Sing Sing is to-day as much OF an
enigma to those around her as she was to the
Court, counsel, jury and spectators when, In 1864
at Waterford, Saratoga county, she was placed
on trial, convicted and sentenced to be
executed for the destruction OF two human lives by
the subtle agency of poison. Busy rumors having
again attracted attention to this mysterious and
accomplished criminal by asserting that her intel
lect had at length tottercd and given way under
the constant pressure Of that dark and terrible
secret Of which she is tine sole custodian on earth
HERALD representative visited the prison yester-
day for the purpose OF ascertaining whether the
statement alluded to had any foundation in fact.
During a conversation with Warden Nelson and
Rev. Mr.. Schoonmaker Chaplain OF the prison, it
was ascertained that while the mental faculties OF
Henrietta Robinson appear to be lor the most part
as vigorous as at any time during her prOtracted
incarceration, yet there are occasions when she
evinces moody taciturn and repelant disposi-
tion which is kept up for days together. Although
evidently
UNDERGOING INTENSE EXCITEMENT
during these unaccountable spells she is never in
the least degree boisterous dcmonstrative, but
dcports herself, as is her wont. with dignity bOr
dering on haughtness. While in her gloomy mo-
ments the ''yeed Murderess' is seldom intruded
upon by the matron her assistants ana the other
convicts entertain for '.Mrs. Robinson" respect
OF such a profound nature as to exclude the prOba-
blity OF an interruption while the unhappy woman
| Is commnnng with her own
BITTER, BURNING THOUGHTS.
| Having spent SO many years in the prison, and
! having lepOrtcd herself In an unexceptionable
manner, the woman named Is allowed many little
indulgences not often granted to new arrivals or
short-tmc convicts. Among these the privileges
of eating in separate apartment from all the other
convlcts, and Of leaving the chapel when
service is over on Sunday mornings few
moments before the not over-piOus members
OF the convicted congregation are conducted to
their respective cells Many Of these latter places,
however, give evidences OF feminine ingenuity and
taste, the cultivation OF choice flowers being
favorite pastine with not few of the female
victs Especially is this the case with Henrietta
Robinson, whose cell is miniature conservatory
embracing some
RARE FLORAL PRODUCTIONS.
while the snowy pallet and immediate surroundings
Of refinement is OF no ordinary nature. Although
for many years past this singular person has had
recourse to art while endeavoring to perpetuate
the ruddy glow OF youth and health upon her
cheeks, the most rigid scrutiny has failed to dis
cover from whence she obtains the vermilion- hued
cosmetic, and it has long been believed that the
commodity Is produced from some OF her horticu
tural companions" by a process known only to
herself This eccentric woman has admitted no
one to her confidence during her Incarceration, the
chaplain being the only person to whom she has
occasionally thrown OH u slight portion or
HER HABITUAL RESERVE
Whatever she may have communicated to him
has been impaired under the seal OF strict secrecy
which, OF course, he religiously observes. Mr..
scho0nmaker, however. states that ere many
disclosures given to the public in regard to her
which will present her in different light to
that in which she now stands and perhaps
materially alter public opinion in her favor 1t
should be mentioned that the chaplain, who at
her entire innocence OF the fearful crime for which
she was convicted. The only way in which she has
other OF the prison officials was by careessly re-
marking, III am guilty have already been Sc
disclose anything relating to her previous domestic
history and family connections, saying III my
freedom depends on telling who my relatives are, |
will die in PRISON. 1t is believed, however, that
FAMILY or NOBLE BIRTH
in either England or Ireland. She shrnks from
the gaze OF strangers, but with those around her
she is invariably modest and ladylike in her de-
meanor While clinging to the hope of being ulti-
timately pardoned, she still believes herself to be
victim OF political anmosity and ambition.
ers of II the MgnAIp that the crime CHARGED against
Henrietta Robinson was that Of causing the deaths
OF Timothy flanagan, the keeper of a grocery store
Troy, N. Y, and also Of Catharne Lubee, an
ADMINISTERING ARSENIC IN ALE
during the month OF May, 1853. In order to Illus
trate the disposition OF The accused it viii only he
| necessary to quote the following incident which
te Of IN its rs
was at this time in jail, awaiting
the Grand Jury visited the jail for the purpose OF
seeing its inmatcs) They visited the different de-
partmcnts and found everything clean and in good
conduct them to the room Of Mrs. Robinson, in
compliance with their particular request, as each
was opened, and the Grand Jury with much dig
nifty walked in. They surrounded a large rocking
chair, in which
SIZE SAT CLOSELY YELLED.
Some of them very politely requested her to
Sut sn perecty s silent and motonless Their
anxiety was so great that they requested the
cned to do. Finally one OF the jury stepped up
and removed 1t himself, when to their great sur
PRISE, no Mrs. Robinson was there, but, on the
latest Partisan fashionl The bird had flown,
Where9 The jaIler was asked Il she had escaped.
Search was instantly made. slight litter was
heard proceeding from under the bed. The cur
tain was raised, and there she lay, so full OF
laughter that she could hardly contain herself
on her subsequent trial the plea OF insanity was
set up in her behalf, much against her wishes, and
after one Of her counsel had concluded an able
argument, which lasted FIVE hours, the prisoner
leaned forward and whispered to him the following
equivocal compliment, "a very able speech, Mr..
Townsend; but you might have said all that was
necessary in fifteen minutes. The idea Of my in
sanity is absurd.n When
SENTENCE OF DEATH
was passed upon her by Judge Harris, who. in
concluding, invoked the interposition OF the
Almighty IN behalf OF her soul, the pris.
Court, said with emphasis, 'You had better
pray for your own soul" adding Judge Harris,
may the Judge of Judges be your Judge" She was
then removed from Court and her sentence was
several months afterwards commuted to imprison.
ment for life. 80 .,,,
Henrietta Robinson received the title OF "The
Yelled Murleress' from the circumstance That,
during her examination and trial, she was SO
closely shrOudcd In her veil as not to be easily
49, thnsa SEVERAL aLtemuIa