Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-09-23
a MKsrERroUs DBArH,


Thomas M. HsObinson, the Isock-
land school Teacher, who Mm,
Arrested tn This Oluy sax WU,.h ,
AGO Apparently DrunR, Dies with
out ReEaining FnIi COnSciOnsn.ss.
Thomas M. Robinson, the school
teacher Of Rockland, who was arrested
in this city on Saturday, August 7th last,
died Saturday morning from his Injuries
Robinson WINS found about IL .45 O'Clock
on the night in question |, ing ia front Of
the Shipley street entrance to J. j..
Smiths flour and feed store, 1T Ponrth
and Shipley streets, by d. W. Hiss, a
patent medicine vender. Shortly after
ward a man whose name is not known
notified the police authorities.
oiiicer Harry Schoor responded and
tried TO lift the man to his feet, but the
latter collapsed. he then procured a
team with which he conveyed him to the
hall where he was placed in cell u
WINS thought that he was only beastly
drunk, although he liad MI apparently
small, slight cut ON his head which was
washed. On the prisoner was found So
in money, ticket 70 Rockland and a
bottle of Duiiy's malt whisky.
On Sunday morning Robinson com
planned of feeling badly, although this
was ascribed TO the effects of his spree.
A friend paid his fine and costa and be
returned home, whore no was attended by
Dr. Chandler of Centrevilie, and his
injury mt once assumed "a dangerous form.
IL was found that the cut ON the aealp
was about II inches long and that the
base of his SOUL was fractured. lie be-
came unconscious day or two after re.
coiying the injuries and has been in q
Bemi-unconscious condition up 10 his
death. lie did not realize that he was ut
home, but talked continually Of the west.
In ono OF his rational moments, he said
that ho had been hit with base bull bat
but ho could not or wonld not tell who
committed the assault nor he could he
Hay whore it occurred.
Suspicion now points to William Gar.
rett, q farm hand employed by n man
named Bailey, near Brandywino Springs,
of knowing more of the affair than ho de-
sires TO tell, judging from his actions.
Garrett was soen with Robinson on the
night that the latter was injured, drink.
ing together in several saloons, and when
questioned about the matter, Garrett told
various tales. Al first he said that lie was
in Wilmington on that night but did not
500 Robinson, md did not know of his
injury until lie read il i'll tho paper ohthe
Sunday following. Then again, he said
TINT he was nj dreenhnnk, and read of
ltobinson's case in Sundays paper. To
another person he said that he wn8 in
Philadelphia ON the Saturday in question
and came TO Wilmington on the sunday
morning following and read of tho arrest
of Robinson in the newspaper. lie OK
planned that the reason he told these
various stories was TO prevent his family
and his sweetheart, particularly, from
finding out whore he actually was.
In view of what be had ascertpined,
Deputy Coroner Palmer visited CARROTS
house Sunday morning, arriving there
ut $50 o'clock to secure Garrett, but the
latter's sweetheart who answered the
knock, became very saucy and Mt first re-
fused to answer any quest ms as TO Gar
rett's whereabouts, but finally said that
he had gone TO Chester ON business about
mn hour before.
Chief Dougherty has been notified, and
is making every effort TO secure Garrett.
II ia not thought that Garrett struck
Robinson, but in view Of his suspicious
actions ii is thought that he knows all
about the affair.
Deputy Coroner Palmer Sunday after.
noon went TO Robinson's honse 20 begin
an inquest. The following Jury wis
secured Frank Il. Smith, Chnrles II.
MeWhmtor, Willinin II. knrtz Of vii.
mington, aud Christopher q. RgLter,
Norris Wilson, William Wilson and
Robert Beatty Of Brandy wine hundred.
Mr.. MGWhortcr was made foreman and
MIR. Kurt2 secretary
Alexander ColuIhoun Of Rocklnnd, ties.
tilted that he anw Robinson on the day
after he was injured and at once saw that
his wounds were serious. BY inquiry he
nseeriained that Robinson Ind been in
Sasso Il BROTHERS. saloon ut Fifth md
Orange streets about q O'Clock on Saturday
evening, August It'll, and about O'clock
he had been seen in DolRns saloon on
Third street near Market, drinking with
three men from Edge Moor. He could,
\ however. find no further trace of his
wantlerings that evening. A few days after
the occurrence, the witness said he met
Garrett and the latter told him That he
wished to clear up all rnmors about linn.
self being connected with Robinson'Bin-
inries, and when told that his various tales
certainly created suspicion, Garrett con-
fessed that he lied in order to prevent his
family md sweetheart from knowing where
he WAS. He confessed To the witness that
he was in Wilmington on TINT Saturday
night, but did not see Robinson.
DIR. j. II. Chandler of Controville who
attended the deceased, testified that lie
was called to see Rnbinson on the day
following the injury aud found evidences
indicating compression Of the brain, and
that the skull was fractured. He did not
think Robinson at any time rational after
being hurt, and once only whom he
seemed rational, he said that he had bRcn
hit with ihst4- hall bat. He made post
norton examination and found fracture
Of the skull nj the base of the brain,
extending across the skull to the side of
the head, and said that undoubtedly
death resulted from these injuries. The
angular fracture on the side of the hcad,
had the point Of the angle projecting up
ward and could have been caused by
downward force, rs mn upward
fOrco would have made frncture with
the point Of angle projecting downward.
The frhcture mightsha been caused hy
fall from n hight and alighting On the
side Of tho head, hut could not be caused
by fall on level. The injury might
have been caused by stone under certain
circumstances, but not ii it struck him
standing, as it would have crushed the
skull. The wound looked ms if made
by club or black lck, and made with
the right hand and struck from the SIDE,
DIR. Chandler further said that while driv'
ing along the road ON September 18th
lie was accosted by Garrett, who wHs i
stranger to him and Garrett then made
voluntary statement and said
They are trying to fasten this thing OIL
me, hut know nothing about it. oamt
to Wilmington on that Saturday 10 cuin
tormand an order for team with which
to go 20 camp meeting. | came in on The
train expecting friend here who m'd i
team, to take mo home. | cOuntornmnded
tho order, but my friend did not mp M
: AMI M there was 10 train ON which to ro
turn home, | stayed all night nj the Dela
waro House. III tho morning, in looking
over the Sunday Sin3', | read the account
of Robinson's arrest. went over to III
police stntion and saw Robinson and tier
left 10 get team and brought him h"n'
and left linn with one of the school coM
nIittee of tho district. I only hired thi
foam for Il half day aud IL had to be rs
turned by noon. That is the reason
hurried h!ck To Wilmington" The at to
ment waa voluntary on Garrctrs part au'
tho Witness dill not question linn
Or. Willard Springer who mado 'h'
p.d morton examination assisted by l'ff
Chandler and Winner, testified IL h,