The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-04
ROBERT ELDER HANGED.
The Execution OF Man Who KILLED
His Father.

his Fatner.
MAYS LANDING, N. j., Jan. 3.--Robert
Elder was hanged in the jail yard here at
1907 o'clock tliii afternoon for the murder
Of his father. Death was almost instanta-
neous, pulsations (ceasing within ten min
utes from the time the drop fell.
The crime for which Robert Elder suf-
fered the death penalty was the murder Of
his father, Vim. JoSn Elder, on the alter
noon OF Saturday, August 4, 1888. Young
Elder was about twcnty-seven and his
father about dxty years OF age. The
mother Of young Elder had not lived with
her husband foi nearly five years, their
companionship N oil the years Of their
married life bringing forth nothing but
quarrels and unpleasant feelings, which
continued even Aztec the separation, when
Mrs. Elder had gone to live with one or the
other Of her two married daughters, who
lived in the same county. Before the sepa-
ration the family lived on small farm near
Harrondton, and directly across the road
from them lived John Elders ninety. year
old father, who was a witness OF tho kill
| ing OF his son by his grandson. When
| the separation between John and his wife
took place John remained on the farm and
| his son Robert also remained in the neigh
borhood, living near his father and some
| times assisting him In his work, but they
| did not get along together, for Robert al
ways espoused his mothers cause, and was
at times rather loud in his denunciation Of
his fathers conduct toward her. On the
| Saturday before the murder Mrs Elder
had her husband placed under arrest on
the charge OF cruelty TO her twelve-year-
old son, a brother of Robert who lived
with the father, but the justice before
| whom the case was tried discharged the
defendant upon the ground OF insufficient
evidence. John Elder at that time, il is
said, made use OF Objectionable language
in referring 10 his wife, which 81 Il further
anecred Robert. The son aftcrward pur-
chased revolver. aud on Satur-
day, August 4, he went TO his
fathers house for the purpose of
removing his little brothers clothes,
which he intended taking TO his grand
fathers across the way, because he said
the little fellow should not live with his
father any longer When Robert came out
OF the house he and his father were having
hot words, and the father was following
the son into the road. Robert turned
around suddenly and fired four shots at his
iathcr, the third aud fourth ones taking
effect, and the old man fell dead. Robert
made his escape that night, but gave him
self up the following day. claiming that
the shooting was done in scli-deiensc. lie
was tried and found guilty OF murder in
the first degree. Elders last night was
spent in listening 10 hymns which were
sung 10y lew friends who remained with
him the greater part OF the night Nearly
all Of the immediate relatives took their
last leave OF the condemned man yester-
day afternoon. To all OF them young Elder
presented buoyant appearance, declaring
himself not oniy ready, but anxious TO die,
since he believed. US he said, that his
crime was committed In seli-defensc, and
that for either the real or iancied wrongs
which he had suffered at his fathers
hands, he felt that he had inflicted just
punishment ON his parent.