The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-06-14
"THE yEILED MuRDERESs."
The ,Iy.tsrlou. Surrounding, Of u sry.to.
rious Woman.

The Mysteriaus SURROUNDINGS Of sIysto-
Fious WomRn.
The New York correspondence Of tho
Chicago Tribune says Adjoining the
Auburn prison il large stone structure,
erected by the State Of New York, for
insaue criminals. Every newspaper
reader Ia familiar more or less with the
history of Henrietta Robinson, "the
yelled murderess," from Troy. This
woman, Henrietta Robinson, during her
somewhat mysterious existence, both
before and after her conviction, has been
the object Of not little sympathy. She
is OF present IN inmate of the State asy-
lum for insane criminals. She was con-
yicted In 1854 Of poisoning saloon
keeper residing near her in Troy, by ad-
ministering poisoned beer. No provo
cation was shown, but II was proved that
she not only administered the poison to
the person who died, but also 70 lady,
o relative Of the deceased. She was sen.
fenced to be hanged, but this was after
ward commuted to imprisonment for
life. She remained in Sing Sing prison
until recently, when she became insane
and was transferred TO Auburn. She
was very beautiful, and to this dAs even
the counsel who defended her, among
whom was Martin I. Townsend, do not
know her parentage for n certainty. She
became known as the "Veiled Murder
ess" on account Of her refusing to raise
her veil during her trial, and on every
occasion hiding her features while in
Sing Sing by holding apiece Of paste
beard card up to her eyes when any
strange person came in her sight. There
Is a deal Of mystery about this person.
Mr.. Kirkpatrick, Of Albany, prison In
spector, gaye the writer the following
singular history Of a part Of her conduct:
Mrs. Robinson Is popularly supposed
to belong to distinguished family in
Quebec, from tho following circumstan-
COS: When arrested for tho crime she
refused to tell anything about her his
tory, or show her features TO any one il
she could possibly help it, She was
seen, however, by o person in Troy who
thought she identified her as the daugh-
tor Of Mr.. William Wood, residing at
Quebec, from the fact that Mr.. Woods
daughter Charlotte was educated at the
Willard Seminary, Ind married in Cam
ada ai officer Of tic army, had sailed for
England, and her whereabouts were
after q while unknown. A statement OF
the circumstances were published in the
Troy Times, and this brought Mr., Wood
on with friend TO see II they could
| identity her. Mr.. Wood, at first sight,
said II was not his daughter, md his
friend, although seeing O resemblance,
decided that Mr.. Wood was right. Be-
fore leaving town, however, Mr.. Woods
friend desired another interview, as q
circumstance had since come to his re.
collection that transpired in connection
with the marriage OF Miss. Wood that
would completely settle the question.
After her marriage she and her husband
engaged passage to England. He was
arrested for debt, and this friend became
security; and, on their embarliation, he
4 gave this friend q stone ring which he
had on his finger ut the time. On ask.
ing Mrs. Robinson II she recollected
having seen that ring before, and Of any
circumstance connected with II she
replied she did not. She must have
lived in Quebec at ono time, rs she had
stated to the Times editor and others
many things about Mr.. Woods family
aud others in Quebec, which led Mr..
Francis, editor OF the Times, 10 publish
some statements about the woman, and
in which he bore rather liard upon Mr..
Wood, aa being desirous Of denying his
own desh and flood, now. .brineing such
disgrace upon his family. This led to q
libel suit, not, as Mr., Wood said, to get
damages, but to vindicate his conduct
in freeing himself from On alleged re-
lstionship which, he said, never existed.
Nor is this all Of romance connected
with her history and conduct. Some
time since n young Indy connected with
the nobility Of London sailed for New
York and disappeared from all traces Of
her friends knowledge. She was init
mate with o New York gentleman's fam
lily named Lee, with whose daughter she
had yisitedin the family Of the bishop Of
London. Mr.. Lee, from some circum-
stances unknown to the writer, supposed
o clew was found to the lost young lady
from London in the "yeiled dmurdoress, %
and he visited her to ascertain the truth
Of the matter. Mrs. Robinson refused
TO see any one but her keepers. BY o
ritse Of Mr.. kirkpatrick, she came into
his room on being sent for, while behind
the door were seated Mr.. Lee, Governor
Seymour, Mr.. Wood, and one or two
others. AS she was passing out Mr.. Lee
thought he identified her, aud at once
spoke kindly to her, saying: Emma,
my child, you have friends who willdo
all they can for You. Cheer up, don't
despond; your friends are influential and
will aid you" She then fell on his neck
and sobbed like q child. Hertears were
very copious, and the gentleman had on
o nice black coat. The mink was sham-
ming all tho time, and remarked after
the interview: "Well, guess / spoiled
the old fellows coat. He got q good
slobbering from me, at any rate." These
facts show how difficult Is tho task Of
identity, and how often cases arise Of
similarity Of appearance occurring in
many individuals, SO completely did
she act her part that Mr.. swayno, Of the
New York Times, took down her state
ment and resolved TO publish it as q
truthful one. But Mr.. Leo became sat
isaed that she was not the lost beauty Of
London, and 1t was omitted.
Her language is that Of o person Of no
education, and she excuses II rs habit
Of hers in misleading people as to her
high birth and connection with families
4 I3....l,s. ~ 4t,a ISnnitnt, nnt,itt,,