The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-19
A MURDERER HANGED.
Paying the Penalty of Death for
Shooting Waterman.
A Manslayer Terrified by
His Conscience.
THE PRAYERS OF THE VICTIM.

EFFINGHAM, H., June IS, 1875.
AT bingham, ILL.,, Nathaniel Burgess was hanged
for the murder OF Joseph Robbins, Waterman on
the yandalia Railroad on the 2otn OF last October,
at Kaskaskia Bridge. Burgess slept soundly last
night and this morning persisted in denying his
guilt although he has heretofore published con-
fession which he denounced as a forgery. He
died protesting his and without profess.
ing religion.
THE CRIME.
The crime OF Burgess was peculiarly atrocous,
anu committed under circumstances denoting a
most savage heart. The victim, Joseph Robbins.
had been citizen OF Fayette county for over
forty years, and though mis- life and calling were
humble he was none the less respected by his
neighbors. His piety was well known and his
honesty acknowledged by ALL At the time
or his death ne was the keeper OF
the bridge, on the line OF the Vandaa
Railway, about one mile and half
east OF the town OF vandalia. He lived In a rude
hut at the eastern approach OF the BRIDGE IN the
midst OF deep forest whose dense foliage made
the spot lonely and dismal Near by lived Nathan
lei Burgess. wild, dangerous, shiltless character,
without occupation or visible means OF support
he was known as desperate, worthless fellow.
On certain occasion, IN October last, Burgess
called upon Robbins for the loan OF
double Darreled shotgun This favor
the old man refused, saying that he
would not lend his gun 10 any one. At this Bur-
CESS mucn offended and went away. A day
or two thereafter While Robbins was visiting at
the village OF bingham, some entered his
house and stole his gun. He suspected Burgess
OF the theft and 50 stated to one or two friends.
Burgess heard Of the accusation, ana he threat
enei that he would have revenge for the insult.
CROSSING THE BRIDGE.
on the goth OF October, 1874, George P. odell,
young farmer, residing i've miles from vaudalia,
was on his way home aloot. II was necessary to
cross the bridge and trcstle over when this old
man kept watch When he got TO the bridge the
darkness was 50 greaf that he could not see his
way safely over, and he feared TO risk the walk.
He called TO Robbins Ia his cabin to come out aud
light MIN over. He received no reply. de called,
and called, but could elicit no response, and was
finally forced to gef upon ms knees and coon'' 1t
over the dangerous passage.
dim light was nickerlng in the watch house,
and he called IN TO learn why the watchman did
not answer his han. To his horror ne found poor
old Robolns stretched out on the moor, while the
life current was running out rom dozen gun
shot wounds He was still alive and able TO speak,
aud at once implored 0dell TO 90 for medical AID.
But he beyond the craft OF the surgeon,
and in less than two hours was a dead man.
BEFORE dying ne raihed sufficiently 10 give
a coherent account OF the bloody aratr lie
stated tEaJ he was seated ut his window
reading paper by the light OF a lantern when
suddenly TWO reports were heard and two charges
striking nim iul In the face anu chest ana ratling
ABOUT over the windows anu walls as though
thousand bull its had been sped at hin from the
deadly weapon. He fell to he hoor, but IeallzIng
tnat he was diving, ne raised himself to his knees
unknown assassin. TINS was the Odd mans story,
and IL was confirmed III a curious manner after ne
had passed over the bridge OF eternity.
THE CoRoEER'S INQUEST
The next day the Coroner held his inquest.
0dell was put upon the stand and related MS dis
covery, but, OF course, could shed no ient on the
deed. SUSPICION alredny pointed TO Burgess.
because MS threats Of vengeance had been heard
Of he was sent ior HIS statement was fali Of
view oil the CHASTITY corpse remarkable scene
took place. deadly palor oversDread his
his trembling frame and his knees ratified
together. Wnen asked TO look az the dead
norror.sIncken face and seemed as II ne
would fly from the dread place. No more EVIL
conscience had MIN, and that he felt as Snake
speare's remorSeless chdracter-'l am AFRAID to
tninK what nave done. Look on again. Idare
not.n
THE CONFESSION.
He was carried TO jail accused OF the crime.
That afternoon he confessed to q minister wno
visited MN. and Novem ser /, at his preliminary
examination, he confessed To a considerable
audience OF people. there Is no doubt but at that
time nc was suffering from the most acute re-
morse. lie made the following written COMES
sIon:-
on Thursday night the % OF October Isll about
namapa waer urnsS went am ab y"aas man
about one mile aud a hall from yaadaa. I'M, bridge
EoSens 'S IL and had some SacuS ab 11su gun or
he charged Inc with stealing IN gun. went under the
trestle work 10 burr bush. about twenty
from where Robbins Was sitting az window
sn the bridge horsc. shO Robbins from this
my lett side with revolver race, that
dad not shoot ROBBINS he would shoot lie (Turnerl
sworc lac had made many dollar win his revolver and
Inc irst is that Scd nobbns: the second
shot ord no execution. Robbins SAID, on my God. am
snotPi aud praycl. NATHANIEL BURGESS.
AN AROUSED CONSCIENCE.
In addition TO the above confession Burgess
sad that the motive for the crime was botn Ie-
venge and plumber. Robbins mad just been paid
OF 10y tue railroad company and mad 500 IN cash
IN his possession. lie also related tnat wncn ne
rushed up to the hut to accomplish the robbery.
Bg THIS time his victim mad risen to his knees
aud was praying. As Burgess got 10
the door tne dying man sad, 40 God,
nave mercy the wretched being who
has thus violently sent my soul 10
your bosom.u Horror seized the assassin, ana,
appalled, by what nc nad seen and heard. ne fed
precIrltately into the woous lie first went to
ms fathers house in the neiQhbUrhood. But he
eres. lie got up and md the gun (wnlcn was in
deed, the one be had stolen from RoDbins) and
then went TACK to Oed. But the phantom still
haunted MIN aud the PRAYER OF the expiring VIC
tim continually rung In his Inc
next day the appariuon still followed
him aud he ned 10 the WOODS. While
secreted 10 the woods, sudden desire to once
more behold hts victim seized MIN. This singular
impulse he could not resist, and was MS way
fessed great remorse Tor the deed, aud expressed
a neriert WILLINGNESS suffer the Donattv O l. n