THE
LIFE AND CONFESSIONS
IIRS HENRIETTA ROBINSON,
WHO WAS SENTENCED TO BE HUNG AUGUST 30, 1855, AT
TROY, NEW YORK, FOR THE MURDER OF
TIMOTHY IANAGAN,
AND WHO IS STILL UNDER INDICTMENT FOR THE MUR-
DER OF
Miss jani. LUBIN.
A turning work,
ABOUNDING IN INCIDENTS OF INTEREST.
BOSTON :
PUBLISHED AND FOR SALE BY DR. H. B. SKINNER,
Tºro- 15 Tº TEENTº sº.
1855


Assuming a tragic attitude, she said to the Judge: “The Judge of Judges will judge you!”


THE WE II, EI)
MRS, ROBINSON,
M U R DE RESS.
The Editor of the Albany Knicker-in the affirmative, saying that he knew
bocker says: The history of this wo- him, and that he was reared in the
man has so much mystery hanging
about it that any little circumstance
which helps to clear up the matter is
not to be looked upon as otherwise
than interesting. A few days since,
while going up State street, we were
touched upon the arm by an Irish la-
borer, who informed us that he had
some facts to communicate with regard
to Mrs. Robinson, which he thought
no other person in this country was
possessed of. Some few years since,
Mrs. Robinson risided in Hamilton st.,
in this city. While so residing our
informant says, he, with other laborers,
was engaged in digging a drain
through the street. While thus em.
ployed, one day he heard a tap on the
window. He looked up and and dis-
govered that the tap came from Mrs.
Robinson, who was then beckoning
him to approach. He did so and en-
tered the house.
As soon as he got seated, Mrs.
Robinson asked him if he had ever
seen her before. He replied that he
was not sure, but that he believed he
had. She then asked him if he was
not a native of Longford, Ireland.
He replied that he was. She then
wished to know if he did not recollect
Admiral Pagnum, of Pagnum Hall,
Ireland. To this he gave an answer
immediate vicinity of the castle. “And
did you never see me there * she as-
ked. He replied, “I am not sure, I
think I have, but you are so altered.”
At this word she burst out crying and
wept most bitterly. During the par-
oxysm, she informed him that she was
born at Pagnum Castle, that Admiral
Pagnum was her father, and that she
left Longford to hide her shame. She
attributed her ruin to “young Robin-
son”—a son of her father's steward,
who abducted her from her home and
brought her virtueless to New York.
In this latter city she remained for
some two years, at the expiration of
which time Robinson, the heartless
villain, deserted her, taking with him
every penny she had in the world.
This cruel ingratitude drove her to
desperation, and plunged her still
deeper in sin than she had been.
From New York she removed to
Troy, where she became the mistress
of certain well known gentlemen of
that city. From Troy she came to
Albany. She resided here for some
short time and then returned to Troy,
where she became reckless and dissi-
pated, and where she committed that
murder for which she is now under
sentence of death. Our informant is
a plain, straight forward man, and we

4.
MRS, ROBINSON,
make no doubt but that he has given
the world the first consistent history of
Mrs. Robinson that has yet appeared
in print. If Mrs. Robinson told the
truth to that laborer—and at that time
she had no living reason for doing
otherwise—her situation is one that
calls loudly for our sympathies. Her
wickedness has been produced by the
villainies of the seducer, rather than
by a depraved heart. The world
trampled on the woman and the wo.
man turned and stung it.
Mrs. Oakes Smith, has written a
description of her person obtained by
her own observation in a recent visit
to her cell. She says: “Phrenologi-
cally her brain is low above the ears,
and her coarse black hair grows down
upon the forehead even lower than
that upon the bust of the celebrated
antique of Clite. She has two projec-
tions in the region of what is called
Constructiveness, extending backward,
which of themselves would be sufficient
to throw the whole character out of
balance. When you add to this brain
a refined lady-like form, round and
compact, with a temperament of the
highest and most excitable kind, it will
be easily seen that education might
retard and modify her destiny, but
would hardly serve to recreate her
into a reliable or very safe character.
She evidently is possessed of a re-
markably healthful organization, capa-
ble of great endurance, and indicating
longevity. Her eyes have a look of
force and vitality, and when not excit-
ed by an insane mood are really fine.
She is perhaps thirty, and though an
idealist would never call her beautiful,
she is quite perfect in kind, and the
vulgar mind would call her handsome.
She talks fluently, with a ready use
of language and appropriate imagery.
She talked with me candidly, often
with a child-like simplicity, laugh-
ing even over some by-gone experience,
and weeping like a poor, ill-treated
child.”
The trial of this unfortunate lady
for the awful crime of murder took
place at Troy, New York, in May last,
1855. We give in this work the most
interesting details connected with the
whole case. -
About three o'clock Sheriff Prºe
entered the Court Room accompanied
by the prisoner Henrietta Robinson.
A large number of spectators were
present, and Mrs. R. attracted all eyes.
She was richly and fashionably appa-
reled, wearing an elegant black silk
dress, white hat trimmed with artifi-
cials, and spotless white kids, which
betrayed a very pretty and delicate
hand. Her face was shrouded with a
blue veil from the time she entered the
court room until she left it. In person
Mrs. Robinson is not above the medi-
um height, is very erect and sprightly,
and has a fine figure. We should say,
also, judging from her disposition to
converse with her counsel, that she has
a talent for talking. She manifested
considerable interest in the proceed-
ings which were going on.
After the empanelling of the jury,
which was a difficult and slow process,
the District Attorney, Mr. Bingham,
proceeded to open the case as follows:
Gentlemen: The prisoner at the bar
has been heretofore arraigned, charged
with murdering Timothy Lanagan in
this city on the 25th day of May, 1853.
She is now brought here for trial, and
you are here to try her. The crime
of murder is perfectly well understood.
It is not necessary, at this time, to read
its definition by the statute. I only
propose, now, to give you an outline
of the facts, as they will be established
in the course of the testimony which
we shall produce. -
It will appear that the prisoner, on
the 25th day of May last resided in the
extreme north part of this city; that
-


THE VIEILED
MURDERESS. 5
she had resided here, previous to this
time, a year or more, keeping house.
What her antecedents were, it will
not be necessary, at this time, to enquire
into. On the opposite side of the street
from this woman's house, resided Tim-
othy Lanagan. He occupied a small
dwelling, part of it for his family, and
part he used as a grocery. He had
been there from the previous October.
The prisoner and the deceased had
no personal acquaintance at the time
the latter moved there. After he had
resided there some two months, the
prisoner became a frequenter of his
grocery, purchasing her household sup-
plies there. About four weeks previous
to the time we allege the murder was
committed, a trouble arose between
the prisoner and the deceased in this
way: she attended a dance at Lana-
gan's house, and during the evening
got into a wrangle with a man, or sev-
eral of them, in the course of which
she drew a pistol upon them. Upon
this, she was put out of the room (or
seen out) by Mr. and Mrs. Lanagan,
and taken to her home. The next
day, or very soon after she called at
Lanagan's house, quite early in the
morning, before L. himself was up,
and abused Mrs. Lanagan. Some
time elapsed before she resumed her
visits to the grocery; but when she did,
it was to purchase her groceries and
provisions as before, and apparently
on good terms.
On the 15th of May, 1853, she call-
ed at the grocery in the absence of
Mrs. Lanagan, and after purchasing
some trifling articles, she requested a
loan of two dollars. The money Mrs.
L. did not have. The same forenoon
she returned to the house, and several
men were there, before whom she con-
ducted herself with so much impropri.
ety that Mrs. Lamagan requested her
to leave—to go away. She did go
away; but about 12 o'clock M. she
returned to Mr. Lanagan's. The fam-
ily consisted of Mr. Lanagan, his wife,
and a young woman at the time visit-
ing there, named Catherine Lubey.
These three persons were at dinner,
Mrs. Robinson took a seat at the table
and partook of some of the food.
While Mrs. R. was seated at the table,
Mr. L. left the back room for the gro-
cery, which was in the front, leaving
the three women about the table. After
they had completed their dinner, Mrs.
Robinson says, “we must have some
beer.” The two others declined; she
pressed her proposition, and said,
“You must have some on my account.”
She also requested they should have
some sugar in it. Mrs. L. left the
room to procure what the prisoner had
called for, and soon returned with the
sugar in a saucer, and a quart of beer.
Upon returning she found Mrs. Robin-
son walking the floor, and having a
white paper in her fingers. She no-
ticed the paper more particulary from
the fact of her having wanted to bor-
row two dollars in the forenoon, and
she looked at the paper to see if it was
not a bank bill. Mrs. Lanagan then
poured the beer into the tumblers, but
the tumblers were not full. Mrs. R.
insisted that the tumblers should be
filled. Mrs. Lanagan, upon this, left
the room for more beer, and when she
returned she found that Mrs. Robin-
son had poured the sugar from the
saucer into the tumblers, and also found
a slight powder on the surface of the
contents of the tumbler.
Just at this time Mr. Lanagan, who
was in the grocery all this while,
called for his wife to come there; she
went, and Mr. Lanagan, the deceased,
came into the room where Mrs. Rob-
inson and Miss Lubey were. Mrs.
Robinson then stirred up the beer in
the tumblers, and asked Mr. Lanagan
to drink. Miss Lubey and Mr. L. all
drank. Soon after this Mrs. L. left the
-
6
MRS, ROBINSON,
premises. Mr. Lanagan soon after
left the house, to go down to the city.
He returned soon to his house, very
sick; physicians were sent for, and he
died about 7 o'clock that evening; and
we shall show, as we think beyond
question, that he died from the effect
of arsenic, and that the accused ad-
ministered the poison.
We shall also show you, gentlemen,
that some time previous to this trans-
action, the prisoner had purchased
some arsenic, some two ounces, at one
of the drug stores; that a quanity of
that article was found concealed under
a carpet, after this transaction.
Soon after administering the poison,
Mrs. Robinson left her house, and came
down to the city, and was arrested in
the streets, charged with the crime. It
will be our duty as prosecutors, to
show, beyond reasonable doubt, that
prisone
court.
quainted with her; she lived across the
street from us; I saw her May 25th,
first about 6 o'clock in the morning;
saw her in my own place in the groce-
ry; there was nobody there but myself
at that time, that I recollect. She
called for a quart of strong beer and
a pound of soda crackers, and I fur-
nished her with them. She took the
beer and crackers away with her; my
husband was not out of bed at that
time; saw her again, about 8 o'clock
in our grocery; there was an old man
named Haley who lived in the house
with Mrs. Robinson, who was in the
grocery at the time ; she came in and
asked the old man what kept him so
long; the old man was sent in by her
to ask the loan of two dollars for Mrs.
R. [This last question objected to by
's counsel–admitted by the
r’s
I did not let the old man have
she did administer the poison; and the money; I told her that I denied
that she is responsible for the crime him as I had no money in the house
with which she is charged. Of the
nature of the defence we are not in-
formed.
The opening of the Attorney as
above given, presents a fair sketch of
the facts proved on the trial, and as sus-
tained by other witnesses.
Three points cover the whole case,
viz.: 1.-Mrs. Robinson purchased
arsenic, &c. 2–She administered it
to Lanagan. And 3–That Lanagan
died from the effects of the arsenic.
The next point of interest is the tes-
timony of Mrs. Ann Lanagan, wife of
the deceased.
Mrs. Ann Lanagan called, sworn,
testified as follows: I knew Timothy
Lanagan in his life time; he was my
husband; he is dead ; he lived corner
of River and Rennselaer streets, where
I now live; we had lived there about
twelve months when he died, which
was May 25th. -
I knew Mrs. Robinson ; was two
months living there before I got ac-
and I thought I could borrow some,
and I would send and see. She asked
me if I “was so scarce as that of
money,” and I said “yes.” She said
she was sorry, and that she would lend
me one hundred dollars to-morrow,
She then went away. She had been
in my place about ten or fifteen min-
utes. -
I saw her about 11 o'clock that day
in the grocery again. She told me she
was in great trouble. She told me that
she got a telegraph letter a few minutes
before that Robinson had got hurt on
board one of the cars. A man stood
by and said that if he heard that his
wife was dead he would not fret until
he saw her. He was a man named
William Welsh. She turned away
from the counter and went inside in the
kitchen, in rear of the grocery; the
upper part of the door is glass, be:
tween the grocery and the kitchen.
She went into the kitchen and stop-
ped there for some time. A lot of


THE VEILED
MURDERESS. 7
men were sitting inside there when she
went in. I heard loud talking. I
could hear Mrs. R.'s voice ; could not
tell who the men were. I was in the
grocery. My husband was not in the
house at that time. He was down to
Morrison & Lord's. I went into the
kitchen before she left, and told her to
go home, that it was no place for her
to be there among such a lot of men.
Can't say that she said anything to that:
she left after a little time. There was
no other woman in at that time. I saw
her again that day about 1 o'clock, in
the kitchen; my husband and Catha-
rine Lubey were in the kitchen at that
time; Catharine Lubey's sister was
married to my brother; she was stop-
ping with me at that time; she came
from Albany on a visit. My husband
and Catharine were eating dinner at
the time. As she came in she said,
“Are you at dinner” and Isaid “yes.”
There was an egg on the table, and
she asked whose egg that was I
answered that it was hers if she want-
edit. She took the egg in her hand;
my husband stood up and went into
the grocery; she sat down, and I peel-
ed a potato for her; she eat the egg
and potato. When she was done, she
said, you Mrs. Lamangan, and Catha-
rine must have a glass of beer from
me. I told her that we did not want
any beer : that I did not want to take
any. Catharine made answer and said
that she did not like beer. She asked
me if I had got any sugar in the house.
I said yes, and told her that I thought
she did not want any, as she got nine
poungs from me the week before.
She said she did not want it to take
home. She said she wanted to put it
on the beer to make it good. I took
a saucer and brought her in some sugar
from the store; it was white powdered
sugar; I then went for the beer and
brought some in a quart measure. I
was walking back over the floor with
the saucer in her hand at this time. I
did not bring enough of beer to
fill the two glasses full. I then
went back and brought in some beer
from the grocery. She was after pour-
ing the sugar into the two glasses, when
I came into the room the second time
with beer. I poured in the remainder
of the beer and filled the glasses.
When I sat down to the table to
take my glass of beer, she was stand-
ing beside me. One of the glasses of
beer stood before Catharine. I noticed
a little foam on the top of my glass
of beer and I thought it was a little
dust that was in the sugar. I took a
tea-spoon in my hand to take it off,
but she took the spoon out of my hand
and said, “don’t you do that; that is
the best of it.” My husband called
me, and I went into the grocery. My
husband then went into the kitchen.
My glass of beer was on the table
when I went out. I don’t recollect
anything further said when I went out.
My husband said nothing before 1
went out. When he came in, he said
I must go in and wait in the grocery :
he wanted to go down as far as Mr.
Morrison’s.
I went into the grocery. I turned
around to the door and saw the glass
of beer in my husband's hand. He
was just putting it up to his lips to take
it. I heard nothing said. Mrs. Rob-
inson left in a few minutes afterwards.
My husband came into the grocery; I
asked him to stop for a few moments;
Mrs. R. stood between Catharaine Lu.
bey and my husband near the table,
when I saw him drinking. I couldn't
see where the other glass of beer was
then. I observed a piece of white paper
in Mrs. R.'s hands, and on the table
where she was eating the egg and po-
toe. I don't know any further than,
what Catharine told me as to her drink.
poured it into two glasses. Mrs. R. ling the beer or not. Mrs. R. did riot
º
MRS, ROBINSON,
-
drink any beer at that time to my
knowledge. After I went into the
grocery, I did not return to the kitchen
before Mrs. R. came out.
I had no conversation with her as
she passed out; she said nothing to me.
She passed out before my husband.
My husband stopped in the grocery to
put down some charges I told him of:
I left him in the grocery then and went
into the kitchen.
When he was ready to go he called
on me and told me he was going down
to Messrs. Morrison & Lord's. When
I returned to the kitchen the glasses
were empty on the table. My husband
did go down street, I went back into
the grocery.
Examination of Mrs. Lanagan re-
sumed.—Do not know what time it was
when my husband left for down street.
He came back, as near as I can state,
about 3 o'clock. Had seen Mrs. Rob-
inson after my husband left and before
he came back. She came over to our
place. Cannot state how long after
my husband went away she came over.
She came into the kitchen through the
grocery. Catharine was lying on the
bed at the time; she was sick. She
went over to the bed-side and asked
Catharine how she felt. She said she
felt very poorly, and that she (Mrs.
Robinson) put something into the beer
that sickened her. Mrs. R. said she
put nothing in it but something to
do her good. My husband came in at
the time and I don’t recollect that any
more words passed. Mrs. R. asked
me for a glass of beer before my hus-
band came. I told her that I thought
she didn’t want any beer. There was
a young man in at the time, and she
asked him if he would have a glass of
beer. The man said no, he didn't
drink beer. My husband came in at
that time, and laid down on the sofa.
He was very bad; hardly able to speak.
I turned to him and asked if he was sick.
Mrs. Robinson was standing by. He
said “send for the doctor immediately;
I am done for.” I did send; sent Wil.
liam Buckley, a man who was in the
house. I turned around to her (Mrs.
Robinson) and said, “what have you
done you have killed the father of
my children.” She said, “Oh, no, I
wouldn't do any such thing.” She
thought to go over to speak to him;
but he put out his hand against her,
and told her to go. I put my hand
against her and pushed her towards
the door. Lanagan's mother also push-
ed Mrs. R. toward the door, and help.
ed to put her out of doors. My hus-
band when he put his hand up said,
“go, woman.” She then left the house.
Before my husband had returned, the
old man Haly came over, and said that
Mrs. Robinson wanted me over to her
place. I told him I couldn't go. Mrs.
R. did not come back to our house
after she was there. Did not see her
afterwards. Question : Do you see her
now * Witness could not identify Mrs.
R. and counsel requested that she raise
her veil.
A SCENE IN COURT.
[There was some sensation in court
at this time. The court was ap-
plied to to order the prisoner to re-
move her veil. The Court said that
it was desirable that the prisoner should
remove her veil. The prisoner still
hesitated. She finally partly removed
her veil, but not sufficiently to show
her face. Counsel for the prosecution
still insisted that the veil should be re-
moved so that she could be seen by the
witness. Mr. Beach to witness: Mrs.
Lanagan you look now at her face.
Assuming a standing position Mrs. R.
removed her veil in part, but conceal-
ed her face almost wholly by holding
her handkerchief to her face. It was
but for an instant. Witness said that
she did not see her face; that the pris-
oner covered her face with her hand-


THE VEILED
MURDERESS. 9
kerchief so that her face could not be
Seein.
The Court said that it was a singu-
lar freak of the prisoner to keep her
face concealed in this manner ; and
that her counsel should have advised
her that such a course was likely to
prejudice her case. -
Mr. Beach said that it was a matter
over which the prisoner's counsel had
no control. They had advised her in
reference to this matter, but they could
not control it,
Mr. Pierson said that there were
reasons reaching far beyond this trial
why this woman desired to sit here
veiled; reasons which the Court did
not know, but which her counsel did.
The Court said that there must be
some good reason in the prisoner's
mind for such a course, and so long as
she chose to pursue it, it was not the
province of the Court to interfere:
Mrs. Robinson was a good deal agi-
tated during these proceedings.]
Witness continued.
My husband died at 1-4 to 7 o'clock
the same evening, and Catharine Lu-
bey died at 5 o'clock the next morning:
I saw her dead; she died at the house
of Mr. James Lanagan ; Dr. Adams
and Dr. Skilton attended her.
My husband did not leave the room
after he came in from down street; he
got no better before he died; a French
clergyman, whose name I forgot, was
present before my husband died; he is
not living in town now ; he was at the
house when the doctor was ; Mr. Lan-
agan's mother had sent for him.
[Counsel renewed the offer to prove
the dying declarations of Mr. Lana-
gan. Court: Do not think it will an-
swer.] -
I became acquainted with Mrs.
Robinson about two months previous
to this occurrence, recollect a disturb-
ance at our house in which Mrs. R.
was concerned. It was at a dance at
our house. I told her to go home my-
self on this occasion; I told her so be-
cause a young man asked her to dange;
she wouldn’t dance, and then she in-
sulted the young man; Mr. Lanagan
and myselſ were by at the time. What
passed between the young man and
Mrs. R. I can’t say. They were at
the door leading from the grocery to
the kitchen, and I was in the grocery :
she came to the counter soon ; I was
behind it; the young man also came
to the counter; they talked for some
time; I can't say what they were talk-
ing here; she said that he insulted
her; and she pulled her pistol out and
said that if he ever insulted her again
she would blow his brains out; my hus-
band came, and said he didn’t want
any noise in the place; that they must
leave there; that he would have
no more noise there; I went to her, and
told her to go home; I went alone with
her to her own door; told her to keep
in her own place and nobody would
insult her; she came outside the door
again that night, but did not come into
the grocery, she called for the young
man that insulted her (Smith); she ask-
ed if Smith was in there; she knocked
at the door and asked the person who
opened it; Smith went out, and I heard
nothing further.
Can't say when Mrs. R. was next
at my house; whether it was the next
morning or two mornings after. She
said I was a very mean woman, and
that I kept rowdies in my house to in-
sult her. She said she would get us
turned out of the place, and would not
let us get any license to sell. I told
her that I didn't want any bother with
her; to go home. She kept still talk-
ing. My husband got out of bed in
the back room, and told Mrs. R. that
he wouldn't stand such noise, and that
she must leave the house. She said
she wouldn't leave the house for him.
She asked him if he wanted to turn
10
MRS, ROBINSON,
her out when she was so good a cus-
tomer. He said he didn’t want her
custom ; he wanted her to go away.
She said she wouldn’t leave; that he
would have to get a constable to turn
her out. I told him to go inside, and
I would send her away myself. She
left in a few minutes afterwards.
Then I went into the grocery to get
the sugar in the saucer, I got the sugar
in a small box where we usually kept
the sugar. The box and the sugar
were taken in charge by the Coroner
that night. Previous to the 25th of
May, and before drinking the beer, my
husband was well; nothing was the
matter with him. The beer was the
same kind that we were retailing out
of the store daily.
William M. Ostrom. – Reside in
Troy. I am a druggist. That was
my business some time previous to the
month of May, 1853. My store at
that time was at the corner of River
and Federal streets, near the bridge,
considerable north of the residence of
Mrs. Robinson. I did not know a
Mrs. Robinson at that time. Should
know her now, if she would raise her
veil.
- THE VEIL–AGAIN.
Mr. Hogeboom, I submit, your Hon-
or, that we shall be obliged to try the
veilexperiment again. [Laughter and
excitement in the room, during which
the officer commanded “order.”
Mrs. Robinson made no motion to
move her veil; she was conversing with
Mr. Beach. -
The Court said: If the prisoner pre-
fers it, she may step froward to where
the witness is, and unveil herself to
him alone. [Mrs. Robinson came for-
ward to the witness, and ascending the
platform raised her veil in the face of
the witness.]
That is the lady, sir, she was in my
store several times in the month of
May, 1853. In that month she pur-
chased arser, e in my store. It was in
the form of a white powder. It was
between the 10th and the 25th of May.
She bought, as near as I recollect, two
ounces. She was also at my store on
the 25th of May, between 5 and 7
o'clock, about half an hour previous
to her arrest. Had conversation with
her at that time. When I came in from
tea, I found her in the store very much
excited. She said she was in trouble:
had been charged with poisoning a
couple of persons. I think she men-
tioned Lanagan's name for one, and
said they resided opposite where she
did. I asked her why they should sus.
pect her of the crime; and she said
she supposed it was out of revenge as
she would not lend them a hundred
dollars; that she did not want to draw
that amount of money out of the bank
in the absence of Mr. Robinson. She
said she was very much in fear of the
neighborhood, and wanted my advice
as to what she should do to be pro-
tected. I referred her to the Chief of
the Police, Amasa J. Copp; told her
it was his duty to send a posse of offi-
cers with her, if necessary, to see that
she was protected. She had a revol-
ver with her on that occasion. I probed
it with the handle of a pen; I found
one barrel loaded; there were three or
four percussion caps on the hammer of
the pistol, but the lock was so rusty
that I doubt if it could be fired off. I
think the cap on the barrel loaded, the
one that I probed, was in good order.
On the Saturday evening previous to
the arrest, Mrs. R. was at my store,
and had a pistol with her. It was
about 10 o'clock in the evening when
she came in. On her visit to my store
on the 25th, she said she had gone over
to the grocery in search of her gard-
ener,and that while there she was about
drinking beer with Mrs. Lanagan and
others; there was some confusion
about the handling of the tumblers,




THE VEILED
MURDERESS.
11
and that Mr. Lanagan was taken sick
and they accused her of putting poi-
son into the beer.
THIRD DAY-There was not an un-
usual attendance at the opening of the
Court this morning. The number of
females present was not large. Mrs.
R. appeared with the Sheriff, dressed
as usual. After a call of the roll, the
Court remarked that before the trial
proceeded he desired to say a word or
two. He said we have thus far pro-
ceeded with the trial with prisoner
masked. We have had the singular
occurrence of trying that person for a
high crime with a veil on her face. It
is a curious case. He confessed to a
repugnance to the trial of a person he
or the jury never saw. He was un-
willing to proceed further with the trial
unless she should unveil her face and
sit with it unveiled. -
Mrs. Robinson unveiled her face and
stood up. She made some remarks
almost inaudible, by way of apology
for the concealment of her face.
The Judge remarked on the singu-
larity of her course. It was unusual,
and not allowable. In requiring her
to sit in Court unveiled he was doing
nothing that was unreasonable.
Mr. Beach (one of Mrs. R.'s coun-
sel) stated that he had previonsly ad-
dressed her in regard to the matter al-
luded to by the Court. He said that
she, in declining to comply with his ad-
monition, said that she preferred to
sacrifice herself and suffer all the pun-
ishment the Court could inflict, to yield-
ing to his suggestions.
The examination of Dr. Bontecou,
given below, contains the entire ground
of defence, and also establishes the
fact of the death of Lanagan and Miss
Lubey, by poison:
Reed B. Bontecou sworn—examined
by Mr. Hogeboom: I reside in Troy;
am a physician; have been about 9
years; lived in Troy in May last; was
then Coroner of this county. I held
an inquest over the body of Timothy
Lanagan; verdict was rendered by
the jury.
Question.—Is it proper to give the
verdict 2
The Court stated that it was of no
importance.
The inquest was held on the same
evening of his death, the 25th. I made
a post-mortem examination of his body;
that was done at the house of deceas-
ed the following day; quite a number
of people were present; the jury, Dr.
Skilton and Dr. Seymour were present;
I was associated with Dr. Dakin in
making an analysis of the contents of
the stomach; I took the stomach from
the body myself; I analyzed the con-
tents of the stomach in the latter part
of June last; the analysis continued
two or three weeks.
I applied chemical tests with a view
of ascertaining the substances which
the stomach contained. We found
arsenic in the stomach. We applied
several different tests; they all result-
ed in showing arsenic. In Mr. Lana-
gan's intestines we found 40 grains;
there was enough to produce death;
he died in consequence of the poison,
which I can state professionally. I
took charge of a box of sugar in Mrs.
Lanagan's house ; It was white, fine
sugar ; I got it from Mrs. Lanagan;
it was from behind the counter on one
of the shelves below the level of the
counter in the store; Mrs. L. pointed
it out to me and I took it ; she told
me there was all the sugar there was:
I did not see any other sugar there.
The box could not be touched in its
situation except by a person getting
over and behind the counter.
I should judge there was three or
four pounds of sugar in the box; I
took possession of it and kept it until
the time of the analysis. Prof. Dakin
and myself analyzed it. We searched

12
MRs. Robinson,
for arsenic and tested it therefor. The
tests showed there was none. Did not
discover any foreign ingredient. One
or two of the most delicate and proper
tests were employed in analyzing the
sugar. I am not a professional chem-
ist ; Mr. Dakin is I understand.
I tested the beer at Lanagan's by
drinking it. I produced no very un-
pleasant effect upon me. It did not
kill me. There was no poison in it.
Some of the jurors drank of it and
one or two other persons.
The beer was drawn by Mrs. Lana-
gan; I was present at the time; I
do not know of any other barrel or
keg of beer being in the house at the
time. I went to the house of Mrs.
Robinson, I never had seen her before
this transaction ; her house was a little
above Lanagan's, next to Boutwell's :
it was a white cottage; found arsenic
in the back parlor, which was used for
a bed room ; it was on the south-east
corner of the room under the bed and
carpet; it was wrapped in a paper;
the paper was soiled, but was not
white ; but it was as near white as
may be ; it was not done up in a reg-
ular form ; it was merely folded and
the paper pressed about it. There
was one dram 60 grains of the arsenic
there ; I took possession of it; it is
what is commonly known as arsenic ;
we tested it and found it to be arsenic ;
the arsenic is here in a package.
On the 25th of May I saw Catharine
Lubey, the person alleged to be poi-
soned at the same time; saw her I
think at the house of James Lanagan,
a relative of the deceased.
that she had taken something into her
stomach; she vomited ; did not purge
to my knowledge; think she asked for
a drink one or more times while I was
in there; she did not complain of her
throat or of a burning sensation; it
was my professional opinion that she
had been poisoned, judging from her
appearance and from what she told
me. Objected to and ruled out by
the Court.]
I examined the contents of her
stomach with Prof. Dakin. That show.
ed the presence of arsenic sufficient to
produce death. I think she died from
the effects of the poison administered;
applied same tests as the other case
with same effect. When I saw her I
told her she would recover, and I
thought so at that time. -
I don't know that she expressed her-
self on that subject, whether she would
recover or not.
When I first approached the bed I
felt of her pulse. I spoke a few words
to her and told her I thought she would
recover. She observed that she felt
very sick. I did not change my opin-
ion about her recovery before I left,
and did not communicate any differ-
ent opinion to her. I held an inquest
on her body the 26th of May, about 9
A. M. I made the post mortem exami-
nation on Miss Lubey first, on that
day, and then I went to Lanagan's to
make a pºst mortem examination on
|Mr. L. The same kind of arsenic
was found in Mrs. Robinson's house
as found in the stomachs of both the
deceased.
I was Cross Examined by Mr. Pierson:
there about 9 o'clock in the evening of These tests were conducted principally
the day, I took the coroner's jury thereby Prof. Dakin.
I first saw Mrs.
for the purpose of holding an inquest. Robinson in prison on that evening:
She was sworn on the inquest and I the 15th, after 9 o'clock.
She was not
took her evidence in writing; she was at either of the inquests to my knowl
lying in bed at the time and appeared edge.
to be sick at her stomach.
- - - -
I conversed with her in jail.
Court. –The Judge stated that i
Her appearance seemed to indicate the defence were to rely upon ſack
THE VEILED
MURDERESS. 13
relative to the sanity of her mind, he
would request the prisoner to remove
her veil. He said he would give such
an order to the Sheriff —that the veil
be removed. He regarded it as an
imperative duty, that the veil be re-
moved, if the defence were to set up
the plea of insanity. -
Mr. Beach here removed the veil
from her face. She was seen smiling
and keeping her handkerchief up to
her face.
The Judge stated that he hoped he
would not be under the necessity of
alluding to that subject again.
Cross Eºcamination resumed—I have
seen a number of insane individuals.
I pretend to be a judge of cases of
aberration of mind. This woman was
not rational on the evening of the 25th.
Her appearance was very singular that
evening; don't know as I could de-
scribe it to you. She acted very
appearance of the eye; she laughed;
her answers to questions put to her
were not pertinent to my remarks; she
had on skirts and a loose habit or sort
of Jenny Lind as ladies generally
wear ; her dress was loose and the up-
per part was not attached to the dress
below. Her person I think was not
exposed. I took from her the keys of
her house at that time. I went to her
house and found a small quantity of
arsenic, perhaps 4 or 6 inches under
the carpet near the corner of the room.
I also found a box containing jewelry
under the carpet also at the same place.
Found a watch, chain, and I think a
-locket under the carpet. The watch
and chain I believe were in the box of
jewelry I speak of. There were sev-
eral other trimkets, breast-pins, cuff.
pins, &c., in the box. I next saw Mrs.
R. the day following in jail, and con-
versed with her. At that time I saw
she was not rational; her mind was
much the same as the evening before.
strangely and had a wild, unnatural
She acted very strangely and quite un-
natural. Her answers were not satis-
factory. I didn't get the information
which I asked for. I can't recollect
exactly what she said; her answers
were not pertinent to the questions I
put to her ; I went to ask her some-
thing about her furniture; I stayed
with her on the second occasion about
10 or 15 minutes; perhaps about 10
minutes on the first occasion.
The second time there was a wild,
unnatural appearance of the eye. I
can’t say that her actions were any
way peculiar—she was sitting I think
at that time—I mean her gestures; be-
fore I came away she left her chair and
walked to the window. I visited her
on several occasions, probably two or
three times a week, for a fortnight per-
haps after her confinement. I was al-
ways impressed with the idea that she
was not rational. I told her once that
I heard Lanagan and Catharine Lubey
were dead; she took no notice of the
remark that I could see; I think she
did not know what I meant. I did, on
one occasion, in the second or third
week of my visit, charge her with pois-
oning these persons.
The expression I made was some-
thing like this:– “You know you have
poisoned these people; now I want
you to tell me all about it. ” She
made no answer to it, but went on
chattering away with the same jum-
bling and incoherent sentences, that
she had been using. As far as I could
judge, I could not see that she com-
prehended what I meant. From the
beginning to the end of my visits, on
all occasions, I was satisfied that she
was not a rational woman. I gave all
the articles of jewelry to Dr. Hegeman
which I found at her house under the
carpet.
Re-Examined on part of the Defence,
by Mr. Beach – I have often had in





14.
MRS, ROBINSON,
the course of my practice patients tem-
porarily delirious, feverish, &c.
My practice has been extensive in
I was associated with Dr.
Brinsmade for two years. At my first
this city.
interview with Mrs. R., the expression
ness; neither did the expression of her
face. I directed my attention to the
condition of her mind at my interviews
with her; partial alienation of the
mind, I believe to be the common form
of insanity. Her answers to my rº-
marks were not generally responsive :
I have a clear remembrance of that.
At almost every visit she was laugh-
ing; the fact of her not replying to
my remarks was one of the induce-
ments that led me to believe that she
was not rational; do not know of her
-
having access to stimulating liquors af- |
ter her confinement.
Prof. Francis Dakin, sworn-ex-
Mr. Hogeboom – I reside in Albany :
profession is a chemist;
the habit of analyzing subjects; H at-
tended the analysis of contents of
stomachs of Mr. Lanagan and Miss
Lubey, at Dr. Bontecou's house; thºſe
was arsenic ºn both stomachs. We
which resulted in showing the pres-
ence of arsenic ; I have no doubt of
the presence of arsenic in the stomach;
sitions obtained—are in that jar, pro-
duced in Court ; found arsenic in
large quantity; should judge, suſhi-
physician. We analyzed the sugar
and found no arsenic in it; we applied
the same tests; Dr. Bontecou's family
I analyzed Lanagan's stomach and
found 40 grains of arsenic. I took the
mucus from the stomach of Miss Lu-
of her eye did not indicate º
-
amined on the part of prosecution by
have been for
several years a chemist; have been in
applied 5 or 6 different tests, each of
the result of the analysis—the compo-
cient to produce death; I am not a
used the sugar afterwards.
bey and found arsenic in that. The
contents of the paper found at Mrs.
R.'s house we also analyzed and found
to be arsenic. -
JUDGE HARRIS AND THE WEIL AGAIN.
Judge Harris–Before proceeding
th this case, we will make one more
effort to go on with an unmasked face.
trust I feel all the delicacy consisten
with my position; but I must do my
duty fearlessly and fairly. Notwith.
standing all my efforts this morning,
one veil has been withdrawn and an
other substituted. As yet I have been
unable to see the face of the prisoner,
and I doubt if any of the jury could
identify her out of doors. I know
the sting is severe but it can't be helped.
The Jurors and witnesses must con-
front the prisoner, and if she will not
remove her mask it will be taken from
her. -
|Mrs. Robinson, after some hesita-
tion, threw her veil partially over her
bonnet, and, as if sobbing, bent for-
ward her head, burying her face pret-
ty much wholly in her handkerchief.
She was much affected, apparently,
throughout the afternoon, and succeed-
ed effectually in concealing her face
rom view. The Court room was
crowded during the aſternoon
There were several other points of
testimony, but all included in what has
been given. That of Miss Dillon we
offer as presenting some new ſea-
tures of the
WELLED MURDERESS.
Mary J. Dillon sworn-Reside in
Troy, in the upper part of the city. I
knew Mrs. Robinson. I resided but
a short distance from where she did.
Saw her frequently before she was put
in jail. My business was dress making.
Some time in March, 1853, she came
in and asked me if I done plain sew-
ing. I told her I did. She had adress she
wanted me to fix. I told her that I had
so much sewingin the house that Ididn't

THE VELLIED
MURDERESS. 15
see how I could do it right away.
She said she wanted it done so bad,
she would pay me any price to fix it
for her. She said it was too short in
the waist. She had the dress with
her. I told her I didn't think I could
make it any longer in the waist. She
then told me to let the waist go as it
was, and fix the other part. Don't re-
collect who she said cut the dress. I
believe she told me first that she cut
it herself, and afterwards that a dress-
maker cut it. She said that Oliver
Boutwell himself and family had slam-
dered her. She told me her name was
Mrs. Robinson. She told me she was
a lord's daughter in Ireland; that she
was turned away from her father's
castle for marrying a poor man. She
then cried. Soon afterwards some-
thing seemed to pass her mind, and
she laughed, and danced about the
floor, and began to tell something; I
don’t recollect what it was.
At another interview, quite a spell
afterwards, she showed me a daguer-
reotype, representing a lady with a
bundle of flowers. She said it was
the daguerreotype of her mother; she
said the flowers were gathered from
the garden of the King of France.
She said her mother gave her thislike-
ness when her father turned her a Way.
She told me another time her mother
died when she was a small child.
Another cause of her being turned
away was her stepmother. This was
at the time she told me her mother
died when she was a small child.
It was at another time she told me her
husband was a lord in Ireland. She
told me one time she was educated in a
nunnery; at another time that she was
educated at Mrs. Willard's Seminary.
She told me at one time, after her
father had sent her away, he sent for
her to come back, that he would for.
.. her. She said, at one time, her
ather had sent her one hundred and
fifty dollars to purchase a single dress
to appear in court against Oliver Bout-
well for slander. She said she could
jump into the river and swim until she
got tired, and then she had a cork
which she could put between her teeth
and rest in the water and not sink.
I was on the bank of the river with
her, near her house, which was near
the bank of the river; before she went
on the bank of the river, she saw a
boat coming down; she said that Oli-
ver Boutwell had stopped the naviga-
tion, and the boat should’nt pass.
While on the bank of the river, she
began to hoot at the hands in the boat,
but they did not hear her. She had a
revolver in her hand, and began to
climb up the rocks. She got about
half way up, and turned to me
and said, “Mary Jane, wouldn't I
make a good soldier " She said she
was sick at one time, sent for Dr. Bus-
we!", he came and left her a bottle of
medicine. She said she suspected the
medicine was poison ; said she went
to a neighbor and gave the dog some
of the medicine; said the dog died in a
half an hour; she then said she put
the cork in the bottle and threw it
into the river ; that some one found it
and brought it back to her; she said
she paid five dollars for the dog; was
frequently at our house; recollect of
her coming there one time without any
dress on; it was about a month before
she was put in prison; it was about
half past 4 or 5 o'clock in the morn-
ing; she had a night dress on and a
white sun-bonnet; had on no shawl;
only my brother was up at the time;
she wanted me to lend her a dress;
she said she wanted to go down street
to purchase a revolver, and take out a
warrant for Dave Smith; I let her have
my clothes; she went of with them;
that same day I sent my sister for the
dress; recollect of her coming to our
house on another occasion about 11

16
MRS, ROBINSON,
or 12 o'clock in the night, in March or
April. -
The family were in bed when she
woke us up. She wanted my sister
to go after Dr. Buswell—that her hus.
band had just come home then and was
very sick. She told my sister if she
would go she would give her a revolver
to take with her, and pay her a sum
of money, the amount of which I
don't recollect. My sister told her
she didn’t want to go. Mrs. Robinson
then said that she didn’t want Dr.
Buswell for her husband; her husband
was not sick, but she wanted to get him
to blow his brains out, as he was at her
house the night before and insulted
her: I once told Mrs. Robinson to go
home, that I did not want her there.
She said she would not go. This was
about three days before she was put in
jail. She said she would let me
know what authority she had there. I
told her to go—to go out of the house.
I said no more on that subject aſ-
terwards. She went shortly afterwards.
Three days after she came in and said
she had a warrant for me, that I had
slandered her. Asked her what I had
said about her. She made no reply :
came up and kissed me and asked me
to forgive her. -
FourTH DAY. —The attendance was
very large to-day; the number of ladies
present being also considerable. Mrs.
Robinson appeared as usual, convers-
ing freely with her counsel, and seem-
ingly to take a deep interest in the ex-
amination of witnesses. She had her
face nearly uncovered from the veil—
the latter article hanging partially on
one side—but she kept her kerchief
up to her face pretty much the whole
time.
Mary J. Dillon, cross-examined on
the part of the prosecution by Mr. Van
Santvoord:—I could tell at what inter-
view Mrs. R. said her father was an
Irish lord; it was the same interview
me when her mother
that she showed me the daguerreotype:
didn’t think it was the first interview.
The second interview was the next
day after the first ; she did not
come to get her dress then; she brought
ºne more sewing ; had a long conver-
sation with her at this time; chatted
and talked together considerable; don't
recollect any other subjects we talked
about except what I stated to Mr.
Pierson; I don't recollect telling her
anything about my family. My oldest
sister was at Mr. Howard's in this
city ; don't remember to have men-
tioned my eldest sister's name to Mrs.
R. ; don't think anything led to the
subject we spoke of, relative to her
father being an Irish lord; this was a
new subject she introduced. When
she told me that, I was rather pleased
with her conversation; she appeared
to be a good-natured lady to talk with;
her manners were agreeable at the
time; don’t know as I did believe the
story she told me about her father being
a lord. My father is an Irishman, I
was born in Vermont.
She told me her father was an Irish
lord and then she showed me the da-
guerreotype; this daguerreotype she told
me was her mother's; that the flowers
had been gathered in the garden of the
Queen of France; the picture was a
lady about thirty. Don't think she told
was in France.
Don’t think I believed this part of the
story; don't think it made much impres-
sion on my mind, when she told me of
her father and of the flowers in the
garden of France. She cried violent-
ly when she talked about her mother's
death: believe she cried when she show-
ed me the daguerreotye; she cried a
very short time; think I said something
to her; don't remember what it was:
can't say as I felt on friendly terms
with her. Don't remember what she
said to Mrs. R. to pacify her while
crying; think she said something; and
THE VEILED
MURDERESS. 17
-
then she commenced conversing about
some other subject; and then com-
menced laughing; don't recollect the
subject; a short time after, she com-
menced laughing; we laughed together;
while laughing she commenced danc-
ing; continued dancing a short time;
think the subject she talked on was
rather amusing; don’t think it was
about balls or parties; I did not dance
or take any steps; my sister was not
present then; don't think there was any
other person present but myself and
Mrs. R.; her dancing was not regular;
she kind of jumped around; could not
exactly call it dancing; 'twas a figure
I never saw danced before; she did
not offer to show me any steps of danc-
ing; think I laughed at this perform-
ance; we parted in good friends.
It was at the same interview she told
me her father was a French lord; don’t
remember what I said to her when she
told me that ; she did not tell me who
the man was she married when she
was turned away from her father's
castle; she told me at one time she
was 27 years of age; don't know how
old she is, Don’t remember the time
she came for her dresses; think I took
them home; think it was the first time
I was ever in Mrs. R.'s house; don’t
remember how long I staid there;
think it was two hours and a half; think
I was engaged with Mrs. R. in con-
versation all the time; she didn’t want
to have me go, was the reason I staid
so long; I wanted to go; she did not
detain me by force, but by persuasion.
At that interview think she told me
stories that I did not believe to be true;
don’t remember one of the stories;
yes, there was one, but I don't remem-
ber if she told the story at the time;
think she did, tho’; the story was that
she had been insulted at Mr. Galvin's;
her conversation was, part of the time,
as pleasant and agreeable as on former
occasions; part of the time ’twas nat:
don't recollect what part of conversa-
tion was not agreeable; every now
and then it was not so agreeable; think
part of her conversation was coarse,
that was not so agreeable; she used
profane language; don't remember if
other things struck me as disagreeable
in her conversation. When I left she
asked me to come and see her again ;
think I told her I would ; don’t recol-
lect what I told her.
No person lived in the house with
her then, to my knowledge. I went to
see her again; think it was next day;
she had been to my house before I
called the second time; at my house
had a very short interview; she asked
me to come back with her; I went
with her; staid there all day; went
there between the hours of 8 and 10
in the morning, and took dinner with
her ; did not take tea with her; think
I then began to feel on pretty intimate
terms with her; this familiarity con-
tinued for about two weeks afterwards;
during the time I visited her house
frequently and she did mine; almost
every day I saw her; there was about
four days, I think, that she did not
come to our house, nor I go to hers;
had a very pleasant visit part of the
time, at her house, the day I stopped
there.
[At this stage of the proceeding, the
counsel rested some fifteen or twenty
minutes, during which Mrs. R. and
her counsel commenced conversing
freely together. At times, she was
noticed apparently crying, and at others
showing her usual cheerful and smiling
aspect; after a while she drew the veil
over her face, and seemed to be speak-
ing very positively for some time of
something ; making many gestures
with her head and hands, &c.]
At this point the case was rested.
Next followed the arguments of
counsel on both sides. For the Gov-
ernment, the District Attorney, Bing-



18
MRS, ROBINSON,
ham, Henry Hogeboom, and George
Van Santvoord.
On the part of the defence, appear-
ed Hon. Job Pierson, Wm. A. Beach,
Levi Smith, M. E. Townsend, Abram
Olin, and Sam’ſ Stover, Esq’s.
From this array of legal talent it
may well be supposed that the argu-
ment on both sides displayed an unu-
sual amount of legal knowledge, deep
research, and marked ability.
The whole ground was gone over,
and each point presented with clear.
ness from every available position. It
does not come within our design in this
brief sketch, to trace out the argu-
ments on either side. We have pre-
sented such facts only as would tend
to unfold the leading traits of charac-
ter in this strange woman.
The charge by Judge Harris, was
very logical, and displayed an unusual
depth of research and learning. The
facts and incidents were each in turn
presened distinctly, to the minds of
the Jury, with an earnestness and pa:
thos at times truly affecting. At the
conclusion of the charge, the case was
given to the Jury at 6 o'clock in the
evening.
VERDICT_EVENING SESSION.
The room and gallery were densely
crowded some time before the hour of
re-opening arrived. A large propor-
tion of the audience were ladies, many
of whom had retained the side benches
from the afternoon, without retiring
during the recess. The officers had
some difficulty in keeping the large
and excited crowd quiet. About half
past 8 one of the Associate Justices
took his seat at the bench, and an offi-
cer reported to him that the Jury had
agreed upon a verdict. The informa-
tion was sent to the presiding Justice
(Harris), and the Sheriff. The Judge
was shortly in his seat. The Jury then
came in. The character of the ver-
dict might have been seen in the coun-
tenances of the Jury. Some of them
were in tears, and all of them appear.
ed to be oppressed with the solemn
duty they felt that their oaths and their
consciences called them to discharge.
The Judge evidently divined the decis-
ion, for he appeared to be deeply af.
fected; and in the few words that he
uttered, manifested great emotion.—
The Sheriff (Price) brought in the
prisoner by the private passage, at 5
minutes after 9. Besides the Sheriff,
she was accompanied by Mrs. and
Miss Price, that officer's wife and
daughter. Both of the latter as well
as the Sheriff evinced much feeling.
The prisoner wore the impenetrable
blue veil as usual. In passing in, a
slight tremer of her frame was observ-
able; she faltered once or twice, but
this last might have been occasioned
by the difficulty of seeing distinctly
her way along the crowded passage,
through her close disguise.
The solemn ceremony of receiving
a verdict in a capital case was some-
what varied in this instance, no doubt
in consideration of the sex of the pris-
oner, and the extraordinary manner in
which she had chosen to presentherself
in Court. Instead of placing her in
the dock, she was given her previous
seat inside the bar at the hand of one
of her counsel (Pierson) and near the
seat occupied by the ladies accºmpany:
ing her. She was not told to “ stand
up” and “look upon the Jury,” nor
were the Jury asked to look upon the
prisoner.” The virdict was as We have
said given with the prisoner veiled and
seated within the bar. -
The Jury roll was called. The sº
lence was deep and the excitement *
tence.
Harvey Bets, Esq; Deputy Clerk,
put the question—“Gentlemº, have
you agreed upon the verdict º
The Foreman of the Jury, Col. Al-

THE WEILED
MURDERESS. 19
Ansor Cook, answered in a subdued
tone, “We have.”
The Clerk—ºſow do you find the
prisoner at the bar- guilty or not guil-
t !”
No answer, or at least none that was
heard at the Clerk’s desk.
The Clerk repeated the question.
The Foreman, Cook, as if with an
effort then pronounced audibly, yet in
an undertone, and as if with pain and
difficulty, the words which sealed the
fate of the unfortunate woman-
“Guilty.” Whether the countenance
of the prisoner changed or not-or
what was its manifestations,that impen-
etrable disguise prevented any of the
hundreds who surrounded her, from
knowing. Certain it is, her frame ex-
hibited no sign of extraordinary feeling,
though it is known that down nearly
to the close of the argument, if not
downto the hour when the Jury retired,
expressed the strongest confidence in
obtaining an acquittal, or at least, of
non-conviction by disagreement.
Mr. PIERson, after holding, as it ap-
peared a moment's conversation with
her, said: “I ask that the Jury be
polled.”
The Clerk than asked each Juror
separately whether the verdict render-
ed was his verdict ' They answered
affirmatively though the answer of
some were almost inaudible.
Mr. BINGHAM, the District Attorney,
asked the Court if sentence would be
pronounced to-night.
Mr. PIERson, rose to ask–
[The Prisoner interposed, “Shame
on you Judge.”
Mr. PIERson, said that the Counseller
on the part of the defence asked for a
suspension of sentence until Monday;
that they might have an opportunity
for consultation. There were some
law point on which they desired to con-
fer before judgment was pronounced.
[While Mr. P. was speaking the
prisoner in her seat continued her inter-
ruptions. Her other expressions were,
“The court is corrupt!” “The District
is corrupt!” “Some of the Jury are
corrupt”. “I demand another Judge.”
The tone of her voice furnished no
indication of great emotion. It might
have been considered as indicating
settled lunacy; but the general impres-
sion no doubt was that it was more
characteristic of the cracked voice
woman of the pave.]
Mr. Townsend said, this judgment
is rendered against as confirmed a
lunatic as was to be found. He ap-
pealed to the Court to grant the sus-
pension asked for by his associate coun-
sel.
Judge HARRIs said that he was to
open a circuit in another county on
Monday, and that the delay would be
inconvenient. And would suggest to
the defence,that they could presentheir
points as well after the entering of
judgment as before.
Mr. Townsend suggested that the
adjournment might be made at an early
hour on monday, so that his honor
might be able to grant,the suspension
asked for, and yet be enabled to reach
Cattskil in time to open the appoint-
ment.
Judge HARRIs said he would be wil-
ling to put himself to any personal in-
convenience of the kind, if the council
considered a suspension necessary.
Mr. HogFBookſ, speaking in behalf of
the District Attorney, said that the pros-
ecution would not insist on passing sen-
tence to-night, against the expessed-
desire of the defence for an oppertunity
for consultation prior to sentence, but
he did not see the necessity of post-
ponement when, as had been sugges-
ted by the Court, the points could as
well be presented after judgment has
been entered up as before.
The Judge said that he would not
insist on passing sentence now, but
adjourn the Court to Monday morning
at half past eight o'clock.

20
MRS, ROBINSON,
This trial was had, as will be seen
in May, 1854, and though conviction
followed the trial, yet sentence was
delayed, and she was not brought up
for sentence until June, 1855. We
will relate the incidents following this
event until her final incarceration in
her cell at Sing-Sing Prison.
SENTENCE OF DEATH.
* Mrs. Robinson made her appearance
in Court at a quarter past 3 o'clock
this afternoon, in the company of
Sheriff Pierce and Deputy Hegeman,
by direction of the Court, for sentence.
She wore a light blue veil, which
she threw back from her face on being
asked to do so by the Judge.
She immediately commenced laugh-
ing, giggling and conversing with Mr.
Pierson, one of her Council.
The District Attorney, after she was
seated awhile, moved for her sentence.
Mr. Pierson arose and said that be-
fore her sentence, he desired to enquire
relative to that motion of the amend-
ment of the record made by him last
week 2
The Court said the rule was not yet
entered, although he had made up his
mind to grant that motion and strike
out the affidavit. -
Mr. Pierson then desired to say
that he had exerted all the powers that
God and nature had given him to save
this woman. He believed she was
unjustly convicted, and that a new
trial should have been granted her.
He had done all he was able to do for
her without fee or reward; and re-
marked Mr. P., “I shall do what I
can to relieve her from the sentence of
the law, if she is to be hung.”
The Court then remarked, “It is
my duty to announee to you that the
Supreme Court has denied the appli-
cation made by your counsel for a new
trial, and has ordered this Court to
proceed to judgment. Have you any-
thing to say why judgment should not
be passed upon you?”
Mrs. R.—“Yes, I have a great deal
to say, but I fear I may be interrupted.
I have been persecuted on account of
John C. Mather.—Shame 1”
Judge H.- The law has pro-
nounced its verdict. Here life is lost;
character is gone; friends are gone—"
Mrs. R.—“No, not all.”
Judge H.-" Life is worth but little
to you—”
Mrs. R.—“Don’t trouble yourself
about that.”
Judge H.-"If Ithought you would
hear me, I would say more. But why
this eccentricity—thy feigned insanity?
—for only this I can consider it.”
Mrs. R.—tº P-o-o-h ſº
Judge H.-" I see that it is in vain
to attempt to reason with you. There-
fore, without taking up farther time of
the Court we will proceed to pronounce
your sentence, which is that you shall
be taken to the County Jail, and be
there confined until the Third Day of
August next, when, between the hours
of 10 o’clock in the forenoon, and 2
o'clock in the aſternoon, you shall be
hung by the neck until you are dead
—and may God have mercy on your
soul!”
Mrs. R.—“You had better pray for
your own soul.” [Mrs. R, then turn-
ing to the Sheriff and spoke to that
officer in a low but angry tone, com-
plaining of his treatment to her, and
also of the course of her counsel. Mr.
Townsend.]
The Judge then ordered the Sheriff
to remand the prisoner.
Mrs. R. on rising to leave the room
in charge of the officers pointed her
finger to the Judge and said, in a bit.
ter and sneering tone, “May the Judge
of all Judges give him his reward.”
The Court directed the audience to
remain until the prisoner was with-
drawn, and she was then removed to
the Jail to await the day of execution.
The reporter of the Troy Whig
gives a more full account of this clos-

THE VEILED
MURDERESS. 21
ing event of the trial. It is so full of
interest, we cannot well refrain from
giving it to our readers.
Henrietta Robinson, convicted more
than a year since of the murder of
Timothy Lanagan, and still under in-
ditement for the murder of Miss Jane
Lubin by poison, in Troy, in May,
1853, was brought into Court yester-
day afternoon for sentence.
Sheriff Price entered the court room,
accompanied by Mrs. Robinson. She
walked with a light step, and, seating
and it is my duty and my only choice
to submit.
The Court—Has Mrs. Robinson any
objections to removing her veil!
The prisoner threw her veil one side,
disclosing a beautiful and intelligent
face, evidently not undisturbed, but
still the most cheerful of any in that
large assemblage.
The Court—It is my duty, Mrs.
Robinson, to inform you that the
Supreme Court has denied the appli-
cation of your counsel for a new trial
herself by the side of Mr. Pierson, she in your case, and has ordered this
bowed to several whom she recognized. Court to proceed to pass the judg-
She was dressed with her usual good ment of the law upon you. Have you
taste, wearing a fashionable light sum-anything to say :
mer hat, (aud the inevitable blue veil, Mrs. Robinson–Yes—I have much
of course) black silk dress, lace neck-Ithat I would like to say—but I shall be
dress, kid gloves, &c. &c. The pri-interrupted if I attempt to speak.
soner at once became the object of all. The Court. You have been com.
eyes, and though fully conscious of it, victed of the murder of Timothy Lana-
the circumstance did not seem to dis-gan–
turb her. Her free chat with those Mrs. Robinson. Yes, by the false
about her, and her not inaudible laugh-levidence. You and the Jury—and
ter, occasionally, told that she was in The Court. The law has proceeded
the good spirits she has uniformly with a steady unwavering step, until
evinced on state occasions. this final consummation. It has dealt
All becoming quiet, the District At-mercifully and justly with you inevery
torney addressed the Court, stating phase of the proceedings. It has pro-
that he had a motion to make in the nounced its verdict; and now to you
matter of Henrietta Robinson, who life is lost. The world is lost to you.
stands convicted of the murder of Your character is gone. Your friends
Timothy Lanagan. I understand the are gone—
prisoner is present, and if it please the Mrs. Robinson. No-not all.
Court, I move the sentence of the law. The Court. And virtue is gone, and
be now passed upon her. life is worth but little to you. -
Mr. Pierson, of prisoner's counsel, [Mrs. Robinson continued to talk at
made soºne inquiries about the correc-times to herself.]
tion of an informality in the record, The Court. If I thought you would
which being answered by the Court, hear me, Mrs. Robinson, I would urge
he said he had nothing to offer against you to abandon this vain struggle with
sentence being now pronounced. Ithe world; I would urge you to aban-
have, said he, exerted all the powersdon this feigned insanity, and prepare
that God and nature have given me to to meet with womanly resignation the
this woman, and that, too, without re-fate that awaits you. (Mrs. Robinson
ward or prospect of it. I believe she continuing to interrupt.) But I am
was entitled to a new trial. But the aware you will listen to nothing from
Court above has ordered it otherwise, me, and shall proceed to pass sentence
upon you; and the sentence of the

22 MRs, Robinson,
-
Court is, the - - - -
º:
the third day of August next, and that not she.
on that day, between the hours of 10 Had this woman friends to whom
o'clock in the morning, and 2 o'clock she would listen, and by whom her
in the afternoon, you be hanged by the conduct would be controlled, we
neck until you are dead, and may Godshould be justified in telling them thus
have mercy on your soul. publicly that whatever hopes of the
Mrs. Robinson. You had better future may be entertained for her,
pray for your own soul (Turning to through executive interposition, are
Mr. Pierson.) Why should I be quiet seriously damaged by exhibitions like
(Pointing to Judge Harris.) Why that of yesterday. But she has no
should politicians set up a conspiracy, friends to whom she will listen, and
and persecute me, and I be silent! more the pity. From first to last, her
Some confusion here ensued, when
the Sheriff signified to the prisoner
that they would leave.
Mrs. Robinson, assuming a some-
what tragic attitude, and pointing her
finger to Judge Harris, said–
“And the Judge of Judges will
judge you’—and thereupon left the
Court room. -
During all this scene, Mrs. Robin-
son was wholly unveiled. Her counte-
nance evinced deep emotion, but not
the emotion of a broken or daunted
spirit—far from it. That indomitable
self-will so conspicuously displayed on
her trial, was betrayed in every feature
and every motion. Her air was defi-
ant not to the Court alone, but to
others, Mr. Townsend, of her counsel,
and Sheriff Price. The usual formu-
las of Court proceedings she put under
her feet, and had not the remotest idea
of allowing Judge Harris to do more
than half the talking—thus showing
the characteristic magnanimity of her
sex, in such matters. Like fair Portia
before the Venetian Court, she said by
her manner and every gesture, “I am
informed thoroughly of the cause,”
but her impression obviously was that
the Court and those about her were
making sorry work of it; unlike Por-
tia, however, she had no plea for that
“quality of mercy, which is not strain-
bearing has been that of an injured
and persecuted being, struggling vain-
ly, but not without hope, to disen-
tangle herself from the toils of her ene-
mies: Every step has made more
clear her final fate, and this she has
keenly realized, only to blame all the
more those to whom she entrusted her
cause, and to whom she has reasons
to be grateful. She is yet to show the
first sign of contrition, or of apprehen-
sion of her final fate. She has asked
no favors and scorned all public sym-
pathy. And yesterday, in passing
through an ordeal in which the hearts
of stout men felt deeply for her, and
her own sex present were moved to
tears—she stood up, as if glad of an
opportunity to confront the Court—to
breast the storm gathering about her,
and roll it back by reiterating the
charge of “conspiracy” against judge
and jury. Her mien was that of the
heroine, and of the drab, but vainly
did we look for the woman.
After the sentence of this unfortunate
woman, great and earnest efforts were
made to save her from the scaffold, by
obtaining an act of commutation of
punishment from the Governor. This
effort was successful, and a few days
before the day fixed for her execution
she was committed to imprisonment for
life, inthe States Prison at Sing-Sing:
THE VEILED
MURDERESS. 23.
Two sympathizing and christian
ladies, called at the jail a day or two
since and requested to see Mrs. Robin-
son. Permission having been granted
them, they entered the room, and after
some Itttle conversation proposed pray-
ers. No objection being raised the
two ladies together with Mrs. R., knelt
down, and each of the former by turn
ſervently addressed the Supreme Be-
ing, after which they requested Mrs.
R. to do the same. She however at
first raised some objection, but upon
their insisting, finally did as they de-
sired; but had not succeeded in utter-
ing but a few words when she burst
out into a loud and hearty laugh. The
ladies looked surprised, and no doubt
were mortified at such unseemly con-
duct. In answer to their inquiring
look, Mrs. R. begged them to excuse
her, as the circumstances reminded her
so forcibly of her girlhood, when she
and other children used to erect an
altar and kneeling round it, made be-
lieve to pray, that she could not help
laughing. The attempt was then
given up, and Mrs. R. was not again
asked to pray during that interview.
THE SHERIFE AND MRS. ROBINSON.
The news of the commutation of the
sentence of Mrs. Robinson was com-
municated to her this morning. She
exhibited no signs of gratification on
the reception of the intelligence; but
on the contrary, became greatly excited
and raved and railed against the
Governor, Sheriff, Judge, District At-
torney, &c., as she has been wont to
do on all previous occasions, when
strangers were present, or when ex-
citing news was communicated to her.
She remarked that she thought the
Governor had been imposed upon ;
that he was a fool for listening to the
marvellous tales and stories of those
pretending to be her friends; and that
she thought it was just as disgraceful
to be sent to Prison, as it was to be
executed on the gallows! It may be
MRS, ROBINSON AT PRAYER.
proper to state that she has been long-
ing for execution ever since her sen-
tence, and has stated on many oc-
casions that she would be hung any how!
She has been making preparations
for leaving the jail all morning. On
going up to her cell at noon, with her
dinner, it was discovered that she had
nearly every article of furniture (that
could be) broken up, and piled near
the centre of the room. All the straw
and husks were taken from the beds
and thrown on the top. Her leather
trunks were torn to peices; her clothes
press broken; and a roaring fire had
been started in the stove with some of
the broken furniture :
On being questioned why she thus
acted, she said it was none of their
business; that she knew ; she was not
going to leave anything belonging to
her after her, &c. It is supposed her
intentions were to set fire to the jail,
by which means she undoubtedly in-
tended to destroy herself.
As soon as the discovery was made,
the Sheriff had her cell cleared of every
article that could be consumed, and a
watch was put on her operations.
When asked where she would sleep
after destroying her bed, she said she
could probably sleep on the floor.
REMOVAL OF MRS, ROBINSON TO SING-SING.
Mrs. Robinson took her final de-
parture for Sing-Sing on Saturday
afternoon, in charge of the Sheriff.
Previous to leaving the jail she threw
out of the gratings of her window
several articles of her wearing apparel
to a crowd of young girls, who had
gathered in front of the jail, and who
live in the old block of wooden build-
ings immediately opposite that building
For an hour previous to her departure
she was busily engaged in packing up
a small bundle, which she took with
her, and in decking herself out in her
best clothes for the trip she was about
to make.











24
MRS, ROBINSON.
She was neatly dressed in black silk,
and with her face wreathed in smiles,
looked blooming and happy. An hour
or two before she left she had com-
pletely recovered from the disappoint-
ment she experienced when she first
learned that her taste for a tragic exe-
cution scene had been nipped in the
bud by the commutation of her sen-
tence by the governor. She was in
excellent spirits just before she started,
and said that any change from the
monotony of the rooms in which she
had been so long imprisoned would be
a relief to her. She joked and talked
freely but somewhat incoherently.
On her way down to prison her
mind seemed to wander, and at times
she imagined herself on the way to
Quebec. When she arrived at Sing-
Sing, she seemed disappointed at
being compelled to stop there, de-
claring that they had not yet arrived
at Quebec, and insisting on going on
until they arrived there. When con-
veyed to prison she seemed to have no
conception of the character of the spot
to which she was assigned, or of the
fate which awaited her.
Pºlº | º ºntº
lºss
tº ºn to tº 42.
Rºbinsºn
She for a long time refused to
answer any question put to her by the
keeper, or to communicate with those
having the prisoners in charge.
We understand that she evinced
stronger evidences of insanity during
this trip than she ever has to the Sher-
iff before.
HER CONDUCT ATSING-SING AS REPORTED
SEPTEMBER 8TH, 1855.
Mrs. Robinson conducts herself at
Sing- Sing in a quiet and orderly
manner, and gives but little trouble.
She is at present employed in winding
cotton. So far, she has dropped the
many eccentricities she betrayed while
an inmate of the jail at Troy, with one
exception. We refer to the singular
practice of concealing her face from
visiters; in that respect she seems to
be incurable. Whenever a visitor ap-
proaches her, she hastens to hide her
countenance with whatever may be
within her reach—sometimes a fan.
and sometimes a piece of pasteboard,
or whatever else is handiest; in other
respects and that is but a harmless
freak, there appears to be no cause of
complaint.
-
ºf Atº Hºnºlº -