Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-11-14
VOL. LXXIV.
THE. ONCE FAMOUS CASE OF R.
R0RINS0N

Among celebrated American criminal cases,
the murder Of Helen Jewett still occupies
conspicuous place. She was young woman Of
loose morals, aud one of the occupants Of
noted house of ill-fame In New York, being the
supposed mistress of Richard ?. Robinson,
young man of good Connecticut family. One
night her house was burned down, and Helen
Jewett' murdered body was found in the ruins.
1t was supposed that the house was fired to OBJ
literate all traces of the deed Robinson was
arrested on suspicion and placed on trial tor
murder. The crime created an immense sensa-
ton in New York, and throughout the whole
country. The unfortunate woman was descrlb-
ed as beautiful and accomplished, and contri-
butor for the magazines. Robinson was only
about seventeen years DID, He was befriended
10 his trouble by Mr.. Joseph Hoxie, his en-
poyer, then a prominent merchant OF New
York, and subsequently member of Congress
now deceased. Robinson was acquitted.
Another Indictment was found against him for
arson, and MIR. Hoxie and bis other friends
persuaded him to fly to Texas, which had not
then been acquired by the U. S. Other parties
iu the meantime had represented that Robin
had emb,zzed the funds of Hoxie while in his
employ. Robinson denied this, but, grateful
ser should take certificates for half-section of
land in Illinois. which Robinson had bout h
with his own money. and hold them until he
had satisfied himself that RobiIson's accounts
wereall right At all events, this was the theory
of MI. Clarkson clients 10 the lawsuit. Robin
son then went away to Texas, and was never
again seen by his former friends and associates.
1t is supposed that Hoxie, upoo subsequent
examination of RobiDsons accounts, found
them to be correct for he paid no more atten-
ton to the certificates in his possession and
never took any steps to get patent tor the
land. The property, which is located in Hyde
Park Township, Illinois, was, up soaHithln
few years, mere swamp, and ofno great value.
1t was sold for taxes. and bought by j. Y.
Scammon. 1t is probably worth $l50,OO0 at
the present time. A few years ago, Mr: George
W. Hill, lawyer of Chicago, 10 going over
the records, discovered the condition of the
property, and concluded that the title was still
in Hoxie or his heirs. He went to New York
and procured quit-claim deed from Mr.. Hoxle
then a man IS years old, along with the
original certificates which were found 10 an
old safe where they had lain some thirty years
After the fire, MIR. Hill commenced proceed
ings in the Circuit Court of Cook County
against Hoxie and others, including Robinson
and his heirs, to settle the title in him.
In the meantime Robinson had died 10
Texas, and made will leaving the property to
q family named Mckay, who had been kind to
him in his exile. 1t came to the knowledge OF
Texas lawyer that Hill had commenced suit
to bar the Robinson heirs from claiming the
property, and he informed the Mckay family
of it. The McKays employed this lawyer,
Roots by name, who wrote to the Second Ma
tionaI Bauk of Chicago, asking reference to a
competent solicitor to undertake the defense of
their claims. The Second National Bank re
commended its own lawyer Mr.. Joseph Z.
Clarkson. 1t is unnecessary to 60 into farther
particulars respecting the trial. except to say
that it is still pending 10 the Supreme Court
of Illinois, and that Mr. Clarkson's connection
with it seems to have been entirely proper and
honorable 1t is truly remarkable to see an
old crime resurrected in this way, and it ought
to be strongly suggestive to evidoes of the
day when the records Of all the Past shall be
as fresh as at the hour of their occurrence, and
criminals who have escaped justice here shall be
arraigned before Tribunal, to which one day
is as thousand years and a thousand years as
one dav - T1ncbi7trO Ne7rS