Year: 1875

Robbins was a well to DO farmer, hfty-six years OF
age, while his wife Emeline Chute by name, few
years his junior She had borne him seven sons, the
eldest OF whom was about twenty seven years Of
age They lived at Bear River, one of the
most fourishing settlements IN this vicinity,
and for some which has never been
satisfactorily explained, Of late years Ill feeling
between husband and wife which finally ended in
separation They became reconciled and resumed
coniuga relations; but the old Observation-Disclosures
Cured and Robbins proposed another separa.
tion She declined TO accede TO the prop
osition, however, which intensified the bit
terness between them. Last July Robbins
observed by the neghbors iretu and peevsh and
was often heard to express determination sell out
and leave the settlement About this time he began con-
verting into cash ali the farm produce for which he
could lind purchaser and 20 lay In stock OF pro-
visions which he never brought home The climax
the 10th of August. Al three O'Clock on the
morning of that day his two sons-Branerd, aged
thirteen, and Edwin aged eleven were awakened from
their sleep by terrible explosion In the room below,
followed by rapid series OF heavy blows and the
scream Of anguished woman. Brainerd was the
1rst TO reach his parents room whence the horrible
sounds came, and the sight which met his view there
that of his father standing over the prostrate,
half naked, burning and bloody body of his wife,
whose head he was mashing In with ponderous car
penter's maet The terrified boy rushed TO his
uncles house close by got his elder brother but
when they returned the murderer had fed. The wife
lay in lake of blood upon the floor while lacerated
wound in her breast showed where the shotgun, dis
charged in close proximity to her person, had done It's
deadly work. Hastily extinguishing the smoulderng
fire. which had already consumed half Of her night
dress and portion Of the bedclothes, the brothers
examined the skull Of their poor mother, which they
found in parts mashed TO jelly, the bones moving
at the ghtest touch. The poor woman breathed
for about twenty minutes, but never spoke. In
answer 10 the alarm, which was Immediately given,
100 armed men commenced the chase, but Robbins
had prepared for this and for days their efforts
proved unavaihng Az one time, on August % the
eldest upon his father and covered him with
his rife but his hhal feelings forbade him TO shoot
and the murderer escaped The following day Robbins
hiding place, O well stocked with provisions,
discovered through the treachery OF negro ac-
compIce named Irvine who knew his whereabouts,
and Robbins captured and given up 10 the author
ities For time 1t looked as though the pop
ulace would the law further trouble In
the casei In fact after bis examination KAN the
rope round his neck but wise counsels prevailed and
he surrendered TO the proper authorities. Rob
bins admitted his guilt and was fully committed for
trial. and the negro Irvine was committed a
sorry after the fact They both tried At the usual
assizes and found guilty, the principal witnesses
against the murderer being his own sons. Robbins
sentenced to be hanged, and Irvine to one years
imprisonment


THE xuRDERER's STATEMENT


In statement made by the prisoner before his convc
ton he said that the of the trouble between him
self and his wife her scodng and the neghbors'
prosecutions which goaded him on TO desperation he
added that his object in using the mallet upon his vile
after be bad inflicted fatal wound with the shotgun
put her out Of pain II could not bear TO see
her suffer - he said, "and so struck her the head
with maletn Robbins looked like anything bat
murderer. He about five feet ten inches in
height with mid hazel eyes and face giving sign
Of the terrible determination which he have had
carry him through the planning and performance OF
heilish deed Since his conviction the prisoner had
improved both In personal appearance and physical
condition. the terrible doom which awaited him having
effect upon either his appetite or spirits Concern
ing spiritual he has been indifferent to tho
last though at no time showing anything but respect
to the reverend gentlemen who made him frequent