The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-04-29
FOUND GUILTY or MURDER.
Robert l.. TiIley, the slayer of Miss Louise
Haynes, of Carroll County, Must Die.

HnLsvLLE. Va, April 2S.-ISpecial. The
people of our town and, in fact, Of the greater
part of the whole county. have for the past
week been manifesting unusual interest in the
case of the Commonwealth vs.. Robert l.. Til
ley who has been on trial in the Circuit Court
since the DIST inst. upon the charge of murder
The trial closed on Saturday night at $3.50
o'clock by the jury bringing in, after four
hours deliberations verdict OF guilty Of muir
der in the first degree. The court deferred
passing sentence on the prisoner until Mon
day.
The counsel for the prisoner did not an
nounce an intention 10 submit "a motion for a
new trial, but II Is presumed that they will do
so. The verdict seems to be generally ap-
proved. though some do not seem to think
that the verdict of murder in the first degree
was warranted by the evidence adduced on
the trial. The prosecution WAS conducted by
Walter s. Upton. Attorney for the Common
wealth, assisted by Hon II. NJ. Brown, of
Pulaski City. The prisoner was very ably de
Tended by General James A. Walker. of
Wytheville, Va, and John Green, ESD, u
member of the bar here General Walkers
effort on behalf Of the prisoner, in q speech Of
three hours and twenty minutes OF mastery
argument of law and facts. has never been
eXcelled in this county.
Tilley is q citizen Of Surry county, n. c.,
and resided near Mt. Airy, n. c.; is twenty
seven years Of age, small of stature, has black
eyes and black hair
He was indicted in the County Court at the
November term. 1887. for the murder Of
Louisa Haynes, in this county near the North
Carolina line. ON the evening of November II,
1887. Miss Haynes was about twenty three
years of age was born and reared in this
county, but had resided at Bristol, Tenn.
some three or four years previous 10 her
death, her father having removed 10 that
place. Nlley had for two years previous to- the
murder resided in the State of Kentucky
In returning To his old home III company
with brother. in November 1887, the pris-
uner passed through Bristol, Tenn. and stop
ping over day, met with Miss Haynes. who
decided TO accompany them 10 the vicinity of
Mt Airy, n. G., on visit to relatives and
friends. The parties travelled together. reach
ing that point on Monday night. November
l4th, Were together every day visiting friends
and relatives until Thursday evening Novem-
Der nth, at which time Miss Haynes was
murdered in wooded rayine. near public
road, aud near the State line. by pistol shot
through the head, the bali entering the top
of the skull. and passing down through the
lower jaw. Her body was partly consumed
by fire. supposed 20 have been started in the
fallen leaves by her assassin for the purpose
Of destroying the body.
lilley was the last person seen with the de-
ceased, previous TO the finding Oft Inc body, at
APPOINT ON public road one-half mile west,
In direct line from the point where the body
was found, about o'clock on the evening Of
that day, and was seen "a short while before
sunset on the somo evening at point three
tourths Of mile east of the point on public
road leading 20 hls home Great excitement
ana Indignation was manifested by the peo-
pie OF the vicinity upon the finding of the
body Of the murderedwoman. which occurred
about o'clock at night 1illey was sus-
pected OF the crime. and strong threats of
lynchlng him We're made by some of the peo-
PIE, OF which fact he received notice, and fled
nom the county on Friday evening.
Governor Lee offered reward of three
hundred dollars for his apprehension and
CONVICTION In October, 1890. Tilley was an-
pretended in the town of Louisa. in the State
OF Kentucky, and brought 10 this place and
lodged in jail.
At the December term, 1890. of the Comfy
Court ne was arraigned. and upon his arraign-
inent demanded 10 be tried in the Circuit
Court.
No motive is known for the cause Of the
murder. Inc evidence IN the case was wholly
resume OF the chief points.