The sun., 1895-03-12
MONTGOMERY GIsBs,s MURDER.
Ths Trial or Clarence and sadie Rsbinso-
Regtns n RuFsio.

BUFFALO, March 1l.-An hour before thu
opening of the Superior Court this morning th'
broad corridors and stairwnys OF the City Hal
were thronEed with an eager, curious crowd
scrambling for an opportunity to enter the couri
room where Clarence and Sadie Robinson were
to be put on trial for the murder Of Montgomery
Gibbs. a young lawyer, on the evening OF April
| ~, 1894.
On the evening OF April 2s at about 93o
o'clock tho body OF Mr.. Gibbs was found lying
in a driveway In Delaware avenue north OF
| summer street. Three shots fired In rapid sue
cession had been heard by those In the neigh
borhood, and investigation revealed the murder.
| Gibbs was found with two pistol shot wounds,
| ono In the shoulder and one in the head. lie
died soon after being removed to the hospital.
| There was no clue to the murderers.
The police at nrst worked on the theory that q
wronged woman hnl murdered the young law
yer for revenge. Others looked upon 1t as a case
OF otattempted robbery. and the fact that Gibbs
was powerfully built man, who would resist an
attack, convinced many that Ire was killed
| whilo trying to protect himself against high
waymen. Fresh imprints OF n womans shoe
were found in the driveway. Two boys declared
that they saw the flash of tho pistol and saw
two figures running away.
Rewards were offered, and detectives worked
on the case for weeks without any success. and
up to the time OF Mrs Roblnsons startling con-
fession In Cleveland. on Oct. IS. 1t was the gem
erul opinion that the murderer OF Montgomery
Gibbs would never be brought to Justice. This
confession was in effect that the Roblnsons were
stranded in this city without cent of money,
and that, desperate over their situation. Clar-
ence proposed to hold-up somebody and get
money.
companied her husband. They wa ked up Della
aware avenue to the point where the crime was
a hedge, bordering driveway. Gibbs ,np-
preached, and Clarence met him with revolver
and demanded ,,,I ,. his money: Gibbs. who was
powerfully built man, showed fight, and In tho
scufie that followed three shots were fired. two
of which took effect, causing death;
Gibbss head. the stories of the two prisoners
conflict. Clarence alleged that Sadie. finding
Sadie in her confession charged her husband
with having fired all the shots.
The Robnsons were brought here from .Cleve-
land. and since their Incarceration, by the ad-
vice of their counsel, they have maintained
strict TGt,r reticence Cn, ABOUT the crime. ,.,,
city and ex-Judge Lucus G. Hurdesty Of Mount
vernon, o.. purpose 10 put upon the prosecution
clients by reason OF the fact that there were no
eye-witnessss to the crime.
District Attorney kenefick has been working
hard on the case and cOniidentally expects to
get the confession of the Robnsons admitted rs
He will prove beyond pcradventure that Clar-
ence Robinson wrote the letter to local parer
the day after the murder, rurporting to be writ
ton by betrayed young woman. who said she
killed Gibbs for revenge This he considers OF
paramount Importance. as IL will fully answer
the defence which will be raised that the Robin
sons did not kill Gibbs. but made confession to
attract notorietv and to get them out Of the
trouble they were In at Cleveland.
The Robnsons were brought into court about
10 minutes before 10 o'clock Sadie the central
in black, and her short hair hung in ringlcts
around her odd little head. She occupied big
chair right at tho shoulder of her counsel and
was very restless. Clarence was also dressed in
a suit OF black, and his light red hair was care
fully combed and parted.
When Judge Hatch opened court District At
torney Kenetck Immediately moved the indct-
ment OF Sarah A. and Clarence Robinson. Mr..
SaperstOne said he was ready for trial, and the
work OF obtaining jury was begun, which con-
sumed the morning and afternoon sessions of
the court.