Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1877-05-23
DEATH OF JOSEPH RoBB !!
Suspicious circumstances and
Arrest and Trial Of His.
Children.

Suspicious circumstances and
Arrest and Trial Of His.
Children.
The readers of the COURIER will re-
member that we made mention few
days ago of another sensation at Ba-
tavia Jefferson County, at the time
stating that we had not particulars
to state the rumors as facts.
To-day we received the following
particulars from the Fairfield Ledger
accompanied by the verdict of the
jury, which would indicate that a foul
murder had been committed. We
quote from the Ledger:
John Il. Robb was sheriff of Jefier-
son county for four years ending De-
cember 81, 1S63. The last two years
of his official career were not COM
mcndable. He was much addicted to
liquor and conducted his business
loosely. Reports were in circulation
that his bondsmcn would be called
upon to settle for his malfeasance in
Office. His father, Joseph Robb, was
on his bond, and his daughter, Mary,
now aged 40, and son Albert, aged 80,
persuaded their father that he would
lose his farm in consequence of John
+. Robb's bad conduct, and induced
him to deed the land to them. 1t is
proper to say that the sheriff's &C.
counts were found right, or so nearly
so that no prosecution was ever at
tempted. From the time that the two
children held the property their treat
ment of their father changed, and
grew from bad to worse. They even
tually sold the farm and bought 40
acres about six miles west of
Libertyvillc. The ex-sheriff dying,
his two children went to live with
their aunt and uncle. They are now
about Is and lG years old, and named
Ward and Almira. The neighbors
became incensed at the treatment Civ
en- the old man and threatened to
have the children arrested. About
one year ago the children brought
the old man to town and tried to get
him to Mt. Pleasant on the plea of in
sanity. Before the commissioners
for the insane there was no evidence
adduccd to prove his insanity and
they were compelled to take him
back home. 1t was proven on the
examination that they had maltreat-
ed him, having beaten him, kept him
confined in room in his own filth,
and throwing his food to him as if
he were hog. They promised better
treatment, but the old man made sew
eral escapes from confinement and
told the neighbors pitiablc stories of
his treatment.
Joseph Robb was about IS years of
age. On Sunday, May 9Th, the day
of his death, the grandson was sent
to neighbour by the name of Tcetcr.
Mr.. Teetcr went to the house. When
he arrived he found the old man on
a lounge in the agonies of death. He
also saw blood and bruises on Mr.,
Robb's face, and water on the floor,
indicating that it had been freshly
scrubbed. Mr.. James and others
called during the afternoon and saw
to their horror these evidences of vi.
olcnce. During the week following
these rumors spread over the country
until every one caught the fever Of
excitement and clamored for an in.
vestigation, not to convict the family,
but to clear them of a possible
crime Of parricide. On Saturday
last Squire Williams was notified to
act, and on Sunday proceeded to the
the graveyard and had the body Of
Mr.. Robb examined. He had a thor.
ough scientific examination made by
DIR. II. NJ. Shaffer, of Batavia, and
Drs. Hayden, Miller and Ward, oil
Libertyvllle. The testimony of the
examining physicians is in substance
that the deceased came to his deatl
by conclusion of the brain, caused by
a wound inflicted over the nose anG
left eye. On Monday the jury re
turned the following verdict:
STATE OF IOWA, JEFFERSON COUNTY.
An inquisition holden at Batavi,
on the 18th and l4th of May, 1877
before j. E. Williams, Justice of tn,
Peace, and acting Coroner of Jeffer
son county, Iowa, upon the body oil
Joseph p. Robb, who was found deai
III s"io Scohey3 Ny IhO JutVAS WAooS
names are hereto subscribed. Sale
i jurors upon their oaths do say tha
the said Joseph P. Robb came to his
death fclonionsly, on the 9th day o.
May, 1877, by injuries received on thu
head and face made by some dull o
round weapon in the hands Of War,
Robb, Mary S. Robb or Albert Robt
In testimony whereof the said ju
rors have hereunto set their hand
: this 14th day of May, 1877.
SIMON G. Fry,
ID. Il. CLARK, Jurors.
A. j. BURNAUGH.S
Attest: ]. Z. Williams, J. p,
And Acting Coroner
, The result Of the coroner's ex
animation was the arrest of Mar
and Albert, children of Joseph Robt
) and Ward, the grandson. They ha
: preliminary trial on the 18th befor
Squire Black in Des Moines town
ship, on the charge of murder, Blu
with what result has not yet been as
certained.