The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-06-24
HELEN JEWETTs FATE.
REVIEW OF AN OLD AND CURIOUS
CRTME

SEEKERS ARE ATTRACTED TO THE SCENE OF
THE TRAGEDY TO THIS DAY.
The New York correspondent of the
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reviews
an old and curious case of crime: Having
referred to June in the stock market, l may
speak OF the legal experiences OF the same
month. TIE great Beecher trial will be
finished this month and this will be marx
TO make June memorable. This leads me TO
the tact that June once Witnessed trial
which then thrilled the Union. Nearly
forty wears have passed away and yet the
memory OF that case still lives, and IL Will
no doubt always be one of New 4ork's his
toric trials So also the Beecher case still
lives, and after forty years shall nave
ELAPSED it will be recalled by history to the
succeeding generation. The case Of which
am bout TO speak was one OF murder and
the prisoner was the youngest man that had
ever been arrsigned for that crime at the
New York bar. de lacked two years of
manhood, and thus presents marked con-
trast with Bsscner, who did not get into
criminal charge until be had passed sixty.
RICHARD P. ROBINSON.
Forty years have nearly elapsed since the
young mans name was in public gossip
with an intensity OF interest such as had
never before been awakened. Looking back
upon the past we are reminded what little
city New York was at that time. Since then
Manhattan island, and the 10000 OF That
day has become a round million. Brooklyn,
which now contains halt a million, was
then a growing town OF 10000, and the
present great culprit of that city was col
iege youth at Amherst. Thus the world
changes while human nature and
its sins remains the same.
Richard p. Robinson, the youth OF nineteen,
would, had he lived, have been ripe in years,
and at ffty-nine would be at the verge In
n n t-rw NErfQo 1T IA
point worthy of note in making this ref
erence to the past to observe how much the
legal process has been expanded. The en-
tire duration of time between the murder
and the trial vas in Robinson's case only
half the period occupied by the Beecher
case. The trial. which, through its 1mpor-
lance riveted public attention and awoke an
intense interest, was but five days in its en-
tire extent.
FACTS IN CRIME.
Buyers of dry goods who now make such
heavy purchases in Church street (which is
indeed a mart for this speciality, will be
surprised TO learn that it was within briet
memory one OF the most polluted spots IN
the city. Thirty years ago 1t was much
against mans reputation to be seen there.
At night it bounded in the lowest revelry,
and It's convenience to Broadway rendered
ii an easy resort for those who were
tempted to turn away from the grand
thorOughfare. Thomas street is short
and narrow and connects Church
street with West Broadway. 1t was
known at the time refer to as CO.
tanning notorious brothel, managed by
Rosina Townsend, then thirty years old and
in tuli sweep OF success in her career OF
infamy. Her house was number IL, and
had received among the fast men of the day
tae fanciful title OF ''the city hall" 1t was
not a large building, and its inmates were
not numerous. In March, 1881 she re-
ceived an attractive bosrder VINO went by
the name OF Helen JewetE. Tha latter came
to the house to meet q bloody fate and
which was consummated within three weeks
after her arrival.
THE MYSTERIOUS FRANK RIVERS.
Two persons visited Mrs. Townsend under
the above farciful title. The genuine Frank
was Richard P. Robinson, the other being a
mere copyist OF the gay young rake who
had cut such a swell in the "city hall. !"
Frank Rivers aud HELEN Jewett were the
the most noticeable of all the habitues OF
that place of ruin. 1t was understood that
the former was clerk, but his true name
and residence was not known. Mrs. Town
send looked forward to long career in this
Infamous trade, and with view to the
risks of property, increased her insurance
on furniture from $500 to $500. This
precaution was we'll taken, for on the
morning OF Sunday, April 10th, hei
house was discovered to be on fire.
A HORRIBLE SCENE.
A little after midnight Mrs. Townsend was
called up 70 attend the front door, and while
passing the parlor noticed on the table q
lamp which did not belong there. This at
tracied her thoughtful attention. The lamr
was designated to the service of specia
room up stairs, and she determined to know
why it was out of its place. That room wa:
HELEN Jewett's. She knocked at the door
but no answer was made. Then she turned
the latch and volume OF smoke burst
forth. The bed was on fire. The alarm wa:
given: the watch called in; the fire was ex-
tinguished and then the dead form OF the
beautiful out unfortunate woman was seen
her head bearing the mark of blow which
had been fatal. The night was dark and
stormy, and little could be done till day
light. Six men were in the house, and one
OF them was rich and of good repute. They
all escaped; but the name of the latter was
learned by Bennett, who black mailed bin
to the amount of $4,000.
THE ARREST.
suspicion was at once conferred on the genu
inc Frank Rivers, whose indemnity wa:
known to the watchman, and that Sunday
morning before daylight an officer VISITED
the boarding house in Dey street and Rob
inson was called out of his room. The of
fcer said nothing about the murder, bu
asked him TO go to Mrs. T0wnsend's. WheI
they reached the house the latter "acteC
singularly," and neither confessed nor de
MED the crime. The murderer had escaped
in the rear and had leaped fence, leaving
cloak behind. Robinson denied the owner
ship of the garment; but 1t was proved
that on that night he had been seer
wearing one OF a similar style. 4
Ratchet was also found, and witt
this the fatal blow had been given. Such
Ratchet had been in use at Hoxie's store
where Robinson for two years had served a
clerk. In Robinson's bureau was found |
miniature of himself, which was proved Il
have been in Helen Jewett's possession
short time previously. Correspondents be
tween himself and the murdered girl wa
also proven. The prisoner was conveyed 9
che iaiI which then stood in the park. n
Immediately hung out from his window
plscard bearing the words "Not guilty.
.-xL..~ --o~a olort IN darnoliah this huild