The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-09-13
WHO MIXED THE cows?
BY T. G. HARBAUGH.

The commission of the crime of MUIR
der never produced a profounder i'm
preston on any community than did the
affair known as "The Hattie Robson
Case, which startled a quiet neighbor-
hood in the western part of Pennsyl-
vania about thirty years ago.
And it is singular that the discovery
of the perpetrator of the heinous crime
should hinge upon the simple milking
of several COWS on the morning and
night of the 9th of April, 1841.
Hattie Robson was the young widow
of farmer, who, after departing this
life, left her goodly sum in ready
cash and q farm whose broad acres,
noted for their fertility, trended to the
banks of the Susquehanna. 1t was nat
ural that some of Hattie's suitors, dur
ing the days of her boyhood, should re-
sumo their attentions at the expiration
OF her time of mourning, for now she
was well situated, and could make life
comfortable, even luxurious, for the
second husband of her choice.
She dwelt several miles from the
nearest town, in neighborhood rather
thickly settled. Occasionally she visited
some neighbors; but, on the whole, she
was not liked on account of certain re-
ports which evil-disposed persons had
circulated against her. Hattie Robson,
despite her coquetry, was good woman,
and that she died such there is no
doubt.
One afternoon, youth passing the
farmhouse noticed peculiar and often
sive odor, which seemed to emanate
from the building. He stopped and
proceeded to investigate, thinking that
one of the widows dogs lay dead some
where on the premises, and resolving to
inform her if his surmises were correct.
But, as he approached the house, the
odor became so disgusting and full of
nausea that he believed it to arise from
the decomposition of a human body.
1t was warm day in April, spring
being very forward, and a swarm of
flies started from the door, which stood
ajar. The young man now determined
to proceed, and recollecting that he had
not seen the widow for several days,
though he had passed the house fire.
quently during that time, passed over
the threshold. The front door opened
into the widows sitting-room, or par
lor, adjoining which was her bed
chamber.
1t was from this latter apartment
that the sickening smell emanated, as
the boy soon discovered.
The sight that greeted him as he
opened the door which led into the
boudoir was enough to appall the stout
est heart.
On bed, AID half disrobed, lay the
bloated form of Hattie Robson. A
glance told the youth that she was dead,
and the cleft skull also gave startling
aspect to the hideous sight.
The daring boy did not investigate
further, but left the house in haste and
spread the report that the widow had
been murdered.
Now, in the community such crime
had never been known, and it is not
surprising that the youths excited de-
scription of his adventure should be
taken with some allowance. But there
were few who proceeded to the farm
house. and satisfied themselves of the
BOYS truthfulness. The excitement
that followed the confirmation soon be-
came intense, and the medical men who
examined the corpse declared that Hat
tie Robson had been dead for at least
three days.
This opinion Immediately created re-
mark, for there were people ready to
swear that on the day prior to the boys
discovery they had seen the widow
milking her COWS in the barnyard. Her
farm hand had left week previous to
visit relatives in an adjoining State, and
the widow had taken care OF the stock
in person.
had been dead for three days could not
milk her COWS thirty-six hours after the
separation of soul and body. The
physicians adhered to their opinion, and
the particular neighbors would not re-
tract one of their asseverations. Though