The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-06-01

u gut Do liz anu, jumping over neI sehscicAs
form, the black nend engaged IN a desperate slrug-
gle with James F,nnev. The latter could not at
first dscntangls himself from the bedclothes but
finally got himself tree, and stroke OF superior
dexterty wrenched tho stock OF tho gun that MS
moro powerful antagonist retained from his hands.
The Rev. Mr. Finney then ran up stairs ana py nrine
OF another gun that in the hired mans
possession and shouting alarmed the nsighbors The
a. his rouGhboara house, and easily iasnuded Webb
not At all Injured by his struggle with the Rev.
ssvsrsy ana ras lana ,ms os,ors ns wholly re-
covered. Mrs. James Funeys injuries were serious.
The aged mr. Finnsy died soon after receiving bis
wounds.
THE DEATH PENALTY IN TExAs-A MICRO
HANGED FOR AN OUTRAGE UPON LADY
HE ATTRIBUTES HIS FATE TO LIQUOR.
[pY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALDl
Housros Texas May 81, 1878.
Fred Roberts, negro, suffered the extreme penalty
OF tho Law aud hanged At Groesbeck, James
county, to-day for outrage on Miss
Whalicy on November 8. 1877 Robertson
was native Of Grimes county, was ,wenty-
years OF age, aud since his boyhood
his career has been OF ana bloodshed. The
crime for which he suffered death committed
while In a state OF intoxication. The victim is .
respectable lady OF forty-6ve years OF age.
She was in the field when Robertson knocked
her down and accomplished his desire He
maze no aUempt " escape, anu was CaptuTcu, tTlcO
ana sentenced to DEATH In conversation with
the HERALD representative about hour bo-
lore he was executed he said no .'felt
bully. and was gong to a better country.
HIS stoicai fort,tuae left him a few minutes
before the march 70 the gaiiows. He trembled,
thousand people Witnessed the hanging.
Arriving on tho scanold at two o'clock. Robertson
just. sheriff Tyne lot the drop fall al twenty
minutes past two. the rope slipped 70
producing strang ulaon. Life was extinct twenty
minutes The body was cut down and gwen 10 tho
SURGEONS according 70 ms request. HIS las. wGras
today Three days before the execution Robert
protested religion and was baptized in tank a.
the railroad depot. HIS death IS unreerettea and
will have salutary efcct checking crime in Texas
No disturbance OF any kind occurred during the day.
EXECUTION OF ROBINSON FOR THE MURDER OF
ELIZA RoY-HIs ADDRESS TO THE COURT
THE sToLY OF HIS VIOLENT LOVE AND PAR
IIcULARs OF THE CRIME.
BOWLING GREEN. Caroline County, VAIL
May 81. 1878.
This morning John Henry Robinson was hanged for
the murder OF Eliza Roy He visited by three Of
tho brothers OF Eza to whom he expressed tho
deepest regret for he had done. He went down
on his knees TO them and asked their forgiveness
he hoped 10 be forgiven. HIS confessions and
and The visitors lett him deeply Affected The scaold
was erected tina centre OF large hallway passing
directly through the middle OF the jail building Not
more than four hundred persons witnessed the
ton, though much larger number wore present.
Nearly every portion OF the county was represented
great tho interest taken in this very singular
and romantic tragedy in coored lite Al forty d We
minutes past eleven this morning Robinson, accom-
panied oy sheriff Coghill and Jaer Davis, left his cell
in the jail building and nimbly stepped on the scalold
Tho distance was only low yards, and the slight
relief no experienced by the exit from his six
feet and half BY six feet and half
iron cage brief, but evidently grateful while II
lasted He was dressed in suit, but over this
he wore long, CHASTITY looking black robe, which pro-
duced thrill OF horror among the spectators Rob-
inson his position the drop and addressed
assembled crowd. HIS voice clear and without
any pcrceptble tremor, and his manner and delivery
were very impressive. He spoke chiefly to the young
people OF both sexes and told them to take warning
by his example and avoid evil company. He said
II he had taken tho advice OF his parents
and friends and followed their precepts no would not
DO standing tho Drink OF eternity a ielon he
then was. He was free to acknowledge that his SEN
tence Just that deserved to die tor the
rbe crime he had committed but no was ready TO 60,
as he believed G Tod had forgiven him. The condemned
man tnon look an auoCuOuato IaTeWeu OIL dl0BSeI,
the Shorin the Jaiier and q number OF rienda brof
prayer was offered by the Rev. .. j. G. Rowe (white)
and Burwe Toler (coored) and the ceremonies W, 70
ended. All TINS lasted only fifteen minutes, and at
twelve, the traditional black cap being drawn the
face and the halter adjusted the sher Withdrew the
bar that neld last the drop screening noise was
heard as the trap swung open, ioowed By dull,
heavy sound. when the rope had reached It's utmost
tension. lhis told the spectators who had for the
moment turned their heads that Robinson had paid
the penalty OF his crime. he la was nearly SIX feet
and the neck was broken, SO that the tortures OF
sranguaton, TO which the victims OF the scaod tn
South are usually subjected. were avoided. Robinson
died easily. His caimncss and equanmlty on tho
scanold challenged admiration he seemed to meet
his fate With resignation aud Christian fortitude
Alter hanging twenty five minutes life pro-
extinct by the attending physcians and tho
body was cut down and delivered over TO his friends
for This has been the only execution hero
In fifteen years.
The quiet secluded aud pretty little village OF
love affair 10 coorcd life terminating 10 tragedy
induced by jealousy In the summer OF 1874, during
the months Of July or August John Henry Robinson,
active, Intelligent aud partially educated young
colorea man, became enamored Of . dusky belle,
named Eliza Roy. John ana Eliza lived In
the immediate nelghborhood OF sparta. John
was twenty -tnrce years OF ago; Eliza eighteen.
They both could read and write, and as recognl.o
OF coIored society 10 Sparta That John Henry loved
too well, but not wisely, soon became apparent
pressed his suit with tho greatest ardor; she was
play iu and trinlng In this way the summer passed.
AUTUMN came ana YET JOnn nenTy nhu maue NO per-
ccpt,tIe progress In the affections OF the lovely Eya
He became convinced that he had q rival, and that
.nat rival was probably successful The idea tortured
him. He brought every possible influence TO bear
upon Elza 10 induce her 10 marry him. and IN tho
frenzy Of his jealousy he remarked 70 more than ono
friend Of his That u EIiza did not marry him she
should never marry any other man.
Yxs on NO.
About two weeks before the murder took place
John Henry got friend OF his 70 so with him to
Eliza and procure her consent Tor him 10 90 TO the
clerks onloc to obtain marriage license, but Eliza
positively declined 10 give the necessary authority.
From this time torwaru John henry became moroso
aud sullcn. Ho refused to listen 10 the ad-
vice Of his friends and had evidently
solved upon the course he was TO puIsuo
ON the night preceding the tragedy Eliza
was In a Mr. Roiph's basement kitchen with her
mother at work on her Wedding garments, Tor she
was 10 nave been married In = few days afterward
John Henry at late hour tho same ight went into
cabin near Mr.. Rolph's house occupied by coiorcd
man aud woman, where he the habit Of staying
and spending the night In ,he morning. about oight
O'Clock Eliza came down 10 that house on some
errand Jenu, who Was sim there, askcd ner what
sns mad been dong the night before, and told her