Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-04-09
kilograms to The Star
EXECUTION AT LEESBURG, VA.
A Co'Ored Murderer Han ged.
Oregon DEM0CTATIC CONVENTION.
Resolution Endorsing TiIden.
FATAL RAILROAD ACCIDENT
A Co'ored Murderer Han ged.
Oregon DEMOCTATIC CONVENTION.
Resolution EndOrsin. Tilden.
THE WALKING MATCH.
EXECUTION AT lEESBt RG. Va.
Samuel Robinson Hanged for Nur.


lfSSBCRG. VA, April 9.-The negro murderer.
Samuel Robinson. was hanged here this morn
ing. After eating hearty breakfast he was
brought from the Jail. about six O'clock and
conducted to the stafold. lie aScended the
steps Of the scaf1old. and was placed upon the
trap. Sheriff Caruthers adjusted the rope. ana
colored minister read chapter OF the scrip
tu1e. Rev. Mr.. Cannon then offered a prayer.
During the prayer the prisoner knelt with his
head upon the rail OF the sca!fod The sheriff
asked Robinson If he had anything TO say. He
answered. NO confession TO make. The sheriff
sprung the trap. and the murterers neck was
immediately broken. The body was allowed TO
hang ninett en- minutes, and was then cut down.
STORY OF RoEINS0SS CRIME.
Early on the morning OF October %. 1>-9 the
body OF a colored man named Edward Thomas.
was found lying in the public road. short dis
tance nom SnickerSVile. LoudOun county. Va
with an ugly gunShot wound in the back OF the
neck. He was conscious. but helpless and died
the next day. without being able TO give any in
formation which might lead to the arrest and
conviction OF his slayer. The whole community
was aroused by the news OF the murder. and
steps were Immediately taken TO bring 10 IuS-
ffce the perpetrator. IL soon became known
that an old feud had existed between the de-
ceased and another negro named samuel Robin
son. and suspicious circumstances connected
with tie latter. Just before and after the mur-
der. lea 10 his arrest for the crime. After eX-
animation before a Justice Robinson was COM
mitted 10 jail 10 await the action Ot The grand
jury, which. al the January term OF the
county court. found a true bill Ot i'll
diclment against Robinson for murder
tpOn his uial before the circuit court il wa,
proved that about 10 O'Clock on the night OF
october 22d. two persons net and recognized
Robinson about two hundred yards FROM the
spot where the uody OF Thomas was SubSe-
qrently found; that about three-GuarterS OF a
mile lurther. they met the deceased going in
The direction OF tie place where they had but
recently passed Robinson: that tracks Wer.
found impressed in the soft earth where the
deceased was killed which in measurement
general appearance ana characteristics, corre-
sponded with the shoes Worn by the prisoner
when arrested; that Oh the morning alter the
homicide, the prisoner. in conversation with
the doctor who was attending Thomas pre-
tended not TO have heard OF the crime. while 1t
was In proof that he had been informed OF it,
ard indeed the whole community was ringing
with the story OF il. and that While speaking 70
the doctor he exhibited the greatest nervous
EeSS and agitation. II was proved also that he
was hostile 10 the deceased and haf
made threats as TO what he intended
TO do; and that gun which
had been but recently discharged, was found in
his possession, Ipe evidence Tor the accused
Amounted to nothing in his behalf, out in fact
afforded additional proof OF his guilt. His sole
effort was TO prove an alibl by his daughter. a
small child, who told her story very glibly until
subjected 10 crOss-eXamination. Ii then became
evident that the child had been taught her
story. Indeed. when questioned she artleSSly
admitted that such was the fact This hopeless
the prisoner. and reacted with fatal effect upon
his case. His counsel ably strove TO remove
the suspicious that rested upon The prisoner
and TO break the chain OF circumstance that
linked Robinson with the bloody crime. but
without avail. and when the end was reached
the jury rendered verdict of murder in the
first degree.
motion was at once made for a new trial.
out II was overruled by Judge Keith, who gave
his reasons at length. concluding By stating
That TO his mind the circumstances Ia the case
pointed irresstably TO the guilt of the prisoner.
1t was true the evidence was circumstantial:
but by no other evidence could crimes of this
character be established. and those guilty OF
them be brought TO justice. An unseen aSSaS-
SIN turks In his concealment, awaits his victim,
and Stays him. NO eye has seen him; no ear has
heard him. and if direct evidence Should be re-
qulred by courts and jurieS, crimes the most
atroclous must go unpunished. III guilty OF any
wait;" and this the statute law declares 10 be
murder In the first degree. The Judge was
therefore. OF opinion that the verdict of the
jury was fully sustained by the evidence.
The court then pronounced the usual SEN
tence OF death upon the prisoner.
Robinson. the condemned man, is bright
mulatto. about five feet eight inches high, or
slender build. and about thirty years of age.
He leaves wife and six children. Throughout
his trial, and even While listening TO the dread
death sentence, he maintained a remarkable air
OF hrlnness and self-posseSsion. OF late. reali-
zing the awTulnesS OF his situation. he has re-
1ueSted and received visits from ministers OF
the gospel. In recent interview he stated
that he knew he was TO be hanged. and that he
wished his time had come as he could not much
longer stand the terrible suspense he was un-
der9oing.
petition for a ccmmutatton to life mprlson-
ment, or post pOnemelt OF the execution was
circulated in the county. but received only
lew signatures. as all who listened to the teStf-
mony pronounced the verdict righteous one
ne execution OF RoonSon makes the fourth
man hanged in LOudoun county since its for
nation. more than one hundred years ago: the
laSt execution previous 10 this one being In lS4S
Al were negroes, and all except Robinson were
9 1Ii mo- Of rnsA