The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-04-10

The l.atlnWs.

EAEClTION Al LEES BUhb, NA.-SAMbEI kDD-
INS0N HANGED FOR MURDER.
LEEsBURG. Va, April 9.-Tbe negro
murderer, Samuel Robinson, was hanged
here this morning. After eating Il hearty
breakfast. he was brought from the Jail
about 6 O'Clock and conducted to the seat.
fold. He assembled the steps Of the scaffold,
and was placed upon the trap. Sheriff Ca
ruthers adjusted the rope. and a colorcd
minister read chapter OF the Scripture.
Rev. Mr.. Cannon then offered a prayer.
During the PRAYER the prisoner knelt with
his head upon the rail Of the scaffOld. Tie
sheriff asked Robinson il he had anything
TO say. He answered, "NO confession 10
make" The sheriff sprung the trap, and
the murderer's neck was Immediately
broken. The body was allowed to hang
nineteen MINUTES, and was then cut down.
STORY OF ROBINsON's CRIME.
Early on the morning OF October %,
1879, the body of n colored man named Ed
ward Thomas was found lying IN the pub
lie road a short distance from Suickersville,
L0udoun county, Va, with an ugly gum
shot wound in the back Of the neck. He
was conscious, but helpless, and died the
next day, without being able to give any
Information which might lead to the arrest
ana COnNlCilO1 Oh MS SlHNeT. Inc WUOle
community was arOus, d by the news Of the
murder, and steps were immediately taken
10 bring t. justice the perpetrator. Ii soon
became known that an old feud had existed
between the deceased and another negro
named Samuel Robinson, and suspicious
circumstances connected with The latter,
JUST before and after the murder, led TO bis
arrest for the crime.
After examination before justice, Rob-
insOn was committed 10 await the action OF
the grand jury, which, Of the January term
OF the County Court, found 4 true bill Of
indictment against Robinson for murder.
Upon his trial before The Circuit Court It
was proved that about 10 O'Clock en- the
night OF October 22d TWO persons met and
recogn Zed Robinson about 200 yard, from
the spot where the bod OF Thomas was
subsequently found; that about three
quarters Of Il mile further they met the de-
ceased going in The direction OF the place
where they had but recently passed Robin
son; that tracks were found impressed 10
the soft earth where the deceased was
killed, which in measurement, gen.
eral appearance, and characteristics, CORE
sponded with the shoes worn by the pri
sOner when arr sted; that on the morning
after the homicide the prisoner, i'm CONVEX
sarion with the doctor who was attending
Thomas, pretended not 10 have beard Of
the crime, while it was In proof that he had
been Informed OF IT, and, indeed, the whole
community was ringing with the story Of
It. ana that while speaking TO the doctor be
exhibited the greatest nervousness and agi-
tatioD. Ii was proved also that he was hos
tile to the deceased, and had made threats
as TO what he intended to do; and that a
4, Il
was found in bis possession. The evidence
for the accused amounted to nothing in his
behalf, but IN fact afforded additional proof
of his guilt. His sole effort was TO prove
an abb by his daughter, small child,
who told her story very glibly until
subjected TO cross examination. 1t then
bpcime evident that the child had been
taught her story. Indeed, when ques-
the flct. This hopeless failure 10 prove an
abb was very damaging to the prisoner,
and reacted with fatal effect upon bis case.
His counsel ably stroye to remove the sus-
picions that rested upon the prisoner, and
10 break the chain OF circumstances that |
linked Robinson with the bloody crime, but
without avail. and when the end was
reached tue jury rendered averdlct OF muir
der in the first degree.
A motion was ut once made for new |
trial, but it was overruled by Judge Keith, |
who was OF opinion that the verdict OF tue |
jury was fully sustained by the evidence.
Notorious F0r2er's Operations.
NEW YORK, April 9.-Cbarles Brockway, |
the notorious fOrger, whose opera ions have |
extended to Washington, Baltimore, and |
Chicago, was arra2ned to-day in the Court |
IT General Sessions upon four indictments. |
The evidence against him not beng sutfl- |
cent be was discharged, but was immedi- |
ately rearrcsted, and will be taken 10 Chi |
cagO. lie IL said 10 have yictimized the |
Bank OF the RepIblic. the Second National |
Bank, and Fisk K HltcI, OF this city, to the !
amount Of S300,000.
Railroad Accident.
WHEELING, w. Va, April 9.-The hind
rucks OF the rear car OF the train which
eft Belare at $3.50 p. NJ. yesterday on the
Bellaire and Southwestern railroad. when
eighteen miles from Beliaire, jumped Tres
lie. and the rear car went over distance OF
fifteen feet. Five or six passengers were
blurred, more or less seriously. Among
hem l.. NJ. Armour, OF Pittsburgh, hurt in
lie side, back, and internally; William
smith, Of WOod>field, leg broken and other
erious injuries; Captain Armstrong and
laughter, OF BeIlaire, slightly injured. Re-
,orts here are that young Danford. The POS
~ clerk, was killed and three others badly
ujured.
steamer Sunk by COliisiOn-Sixtecn
Persons Drowned.
LONDON, April S.-The British steamer
)arita has been sunk by collision on the
nd lt.Fs.