The
Cortland Democrat,
Friday, December 23, 1887.
A
WHOLESALE POISONER.
Trial
of a Massachusetts Woman for the Murder of her Son.
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Dec. 13.—The trial of Mrs.
Sarah Jane Robinson, the notorious Somerville woman charged with wholesale
poisoning in causing the death of several different persons, was begun
yesterday in the Supreme Court. The
work of securing a jury was soon accomplished. Mrs. Robinson did not challenge
a single person. Her lawyers have nothing to base their defense on, as Mrs.
Robinson will not assist them, and they will depend solely on the government’s
lack of evidence to secure an acquittal.
Mrs. Robinson was always looked upon as a most religious woman and a
prominent church member, and her arrest caused the greatest excitement. The
people are now convinced that the woman is not what they supposed her to be.
Previous to her arrest for murder she was a swindler, as has been proven, and
resorted to the cloak of piety to cover her iniquities.
Early
during the month of August, 1886, Mrs. Robinson's son William died. A little while
previous he was struck on the back by a box which fell on him from thirty
feet above him, in the building in which he worked, injuring him slightly. He
went home unassisted. His mother cared for him for some time and finally called
in Dr. Emory White. As young Robinson's life was insured for $2,000, the doctor
became suspicious and watched the case closely. He noticed that the boy was
sinking rapidly, although he should be recovering, and as he found him to be
suffering from nausea, he determined to procure some of the contents of the boy's
stomach. This he did, and upon examining it found that it contained arsenic in
dangerous quantities.
A number
of deaths had occurred previous to this, and the police becoming suspicious,
determined to make a thorough investigation. They learned that eight persons
had died within five years in her home by arsenic poisoning. They were: Oliver Sleeper,
72 years old, who died August19th, 1881; her husband, Moses Robinson, Jr., 45
years old, who died July 28, 1882; Emma M. Robinson, a daughter of ten years,
who died September 6th, 1884; Elizabeth B. Freeman, aged 33; a brother-in law,
[Prince Arthur Freeman] who died June 27th, 1885; Elizabeth Robinson, a daughter
of 24 years, who died February 22d, 1886; Thomas A. Freeman, 7 years old,
a nephew, who died July 3d 1886; and Mrs. Freeman, wife of Thomas and a sister
of Mrs. Robinson, who died while under Mrs. Robinson’s care in South Boston in 1884.
In the case of Oliver Sleeper, the first
victim, the police learned that before his death he was supposed to own $3,000
worth of property, but after that event it could not be found. In the case of
the woman’s husband, the second victim, it was found that he died shortly after
his life was insured under suspicious circumstances.
Six Cents for Libel.
BINGHAMTON, Dec.9, 1887. —In
the case of George M. Rogers, of Tioga county, against the Binghamton
Publishing company for $10,000, for alleged libel, the jury brought in a
verdict giving the plaintiff six cents in damages.
Official Report of the Trial
of Sarah Jane Robinson:
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