The New York herald., 1877-07-09
A TELL-TALE SKELETON.
MURDER OF LAD BY A DESPERATE IN KEN
TUCKY-pREPARATIoNs FOR LYNcHINo.

MURDER OF LAD BY DESPERATE IN KEN
TUCKY-pREPARATIoNs FOR LYNcHINo.
From the Cincinnati Gazette, July 81
Last September named Roberts moved 10 and
eeltled with his vile in Lewis county, KY, on Mont
gomery Creek. branch Of the Conconnque, or Kin
nickinnick, small is called that emptiea
into the Ohio. Soon alter Two young lads applied
him TOR employment and u homo, one OF whom, aged
about thirteen years, he retained 1t was somo time
afterward learned that these boys had away from
their homes in Pike county, Ohio and afterward nom
the County Iahrmary ol Scoto county, Ohio.
STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE.
While this white lad In the employ Of and living
with Roberts, the latter crossed the river and
tur ned with little coored boy Not long alter this
event the white boy disappeared from the neghbor.
hood, ana whilo most OF Roberts, no!ghbors
picous oi unirness, not foul play they were bound
to believe Roberts statement that the boy had run
away
fow days ago Mr. Woodwork, neighbor Of Rob
erts, received a visit from the colored boy who had
during ali this time been ving with Roberta The BOY
informed Mr. Woodwork that II sure oil protection no
would dvulgc certain secrets that would be o inter-
est 70 more than person the community
Among other things he claimed TO know who stole .
hciicr four ive and some corn from Mr. Wood.
worth, and also asserted that hc knew all about tho
disappearance OF tue white boy who had nine months
before been in the employ OF Roberts
REVELATION
The boy was secrcted, his revelations madc known
to low in the neighborhood and Roberts arrested
There being constable IN Inc precnct
where Roberts lived Mr. Inges was sworn IN by jus
the peace to make the arrest Then the boys
secrets were divulged He indicated spot IN or
Roberts premises where sycamore stick would b5
found DIR IN ground and around It leaves aud
brush heaped. Upon visiting the spot and removing
the leaves aud the skeleton Of the white boy
found According statement OF the negro tha boy had
been by Roberts TO prevent him from telling
that RoUerts mad stolen Mr.. Woodworths hoiler The
boy also exhibited near the same spot tho post 10
which Mr. Woodworth's heifer had boon tied until
bucered by Roberts, and stated that Roberts had dis
posed the meat Quincy and some at Vancc-
burg Later investigation has confirmed the material
portions ol the little negro boys statomentS
LyxcnING PEARED
Immediately alter his arrest Roberts was takon TO
Vanceburg aud conhned in jail Threats OF ynching
were so numerous that the authorities placed forty
armed around the Jail IN which Roberts was con-
hnoJ. Notwithstanding these precautions q largo
body Of men known on Wednesday 10 DO organized
TO iorcbly take the prisoner from jail aud hang him TO
a tree Roberts wife arrested Wednesday and
taken TO the Vanceburg Jail suspicion VI completely
in the OF murder.
Among other statements made by the coorod boy
the effect that Robors had been very cruel TO
The white boy during The lifetime OF the latter, at one
beating him such severity that he was com
plotly blinucd and beatlngs induced
lad TO escape couple oil times, out eacn
time was caught, and upon his return was treated
mvfc barshy than before HIS cruel death was pref.
cradle 10 his miserable life. The negro boy himself
was also an object ol Roberts cruelty and endured
for nine months fearing TO attempt an escape as ne
know that II caught again hts life would be unendura
BILE. An unmercifu beating, OF which his body bore
the marks when lie called Mr. W0odworth, IL what
induced HIM 10 lpaily make effort to escape, and
the desire himself from further bcatngs, II
caught, induced him W divugc the facts related
above. -
gomcry Creek but little known. Vague rumors
ioatsd about tho community, however, that he had
murdered q former wIe and Two daughters