The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-10-04
TO FREE ROBINSON.
Habeas Corpus for Accused Clal-
lam County Murderer.
SAYS ne IS JePTHA. NOT JOHN.
Case OF Mistakes Idsntity-His
Story Of His Movements.
SAYS Hs IS JePrHA. NOT JOHN

Hahess corpus proceedings were com mencet
late yesterday afternoon before Judge Osborn
for the release from rhe county Jail OF John
Robinson. arrested at Auburn Monday for the
murder of William schsIing in Ciallam county
last fall Sheriff woolery Will produce Robin
son in Judge Humes' court this morning at 80
c'elock and give what reason ne has for the lat
ter's detention.
The petition gives no particulars a. to the
plans which have been formed for Robinson's
release, but IL 10 undoubtedly true that the sup
posed murderer Will attempt 10 prove that bis
name IL not John, but Jepths Robinson,
and that he 10 not the man who killed his com
rade in cold blood and for whom the warrant
was issued.
No officer came from Port Angeles yesterday
TO identity the prisoner and take him away, and
30 be spent the day quietly in bis cell, except
that he was SO unfortunate at about O'Clock
yesterday evening a. 10 cut the end OF his lett
thumb all but entirely of by getting IL caught
between the heavy steel door and the door
iamh. A physician was called and the thumb
dressed, although 10 Will be lost. probably.
When Robinson was called to the bars OF his
cell yesterday afternoon by PosT-INrELLIGEE-
GER reporter he looked rather anxious. but as
be IL confined with a number OF the most
hardened criminals in the Jail, 1t may have
been from fear OF them, rather than OF his own
case. He said that his name was Jeptha. not
told circumstances OF his working near Auburn
and OF his arrest. saying:
.Abont the begiuning OF the hop picking
season came down from Ciailam county IN
company with several other rancheTs in a ANAL
sloop. We landed a. Tacoms. but could not
get employment and so went 10 AuDurn aud
Obtained work In saw mill. had no reason
To suppose that was under suspscioa of the
murder OF schsiing. in fact | did not know
schsling at all, nor John Robinson. At she
limo of the killing. of which knew only BY
hearsay, / was working at mill at Forks,
about twenty miles from the scene OF the crime.
Any of the employees OF the mill can testify that
i had been constantly at the mill both night
made no secret OF my going away from my
home In Clailam county, but went out to find
work In company with several neighbors."
Previous to visiting the prisoner the reporter
had been told several incidents in Jeptha Robili-
sons clallam county history and led the
prisoner to speak OF them, which he did In a
manner that convinced both Jailer Munroe,
who heard the conversation, aud the reporter
that the prisoner was undoubtedly Jeptha
Robinson For one thing, Robinson was asked
whether not there was judgment against
him of record in Clallam county. He replied
promptly that there was and gave the amount
oil the judgment and OF the judgment debtor
correctly and without hesitation His aeQuaint-
anee II Seattle he said was lin ted. but he
named several men who could identity b m as
Jeptha Robinson.
Sheriff woolery has telegraphed to the Clallam
county authorities for some one to bring war
rant for Robinson and identity him as the man
wanted, but no answer had been rece. we'd late
last night Unless some warrant for holding
the man longer Is obtained, or he 10 proven to
be the man wanted in some other way, he will
| probably be released by Judge Humes this
| morning