The Daily Herald

Two Murders.—The following notice is from the Memphis Gazette: On the 16th inst., George Robeson, Esq. formerly of Tippecanoe County, Tennessee, was shot on the St. Francis road, thirty miles from this place, by a fellow whose name was William C. Johnson. The circumstances are briefly these: Robeson resided in Jackson County, Arkansas, had come to this place for the purpose of making some purchases; he fell in company with Johnson, who said he was going to pass through the Territory, and would be glad of his company; Robeson had a wagon in company in care of a white man and a negro; Robeson and Johnson travelled in front of the wagon some mile or two; Johnson perceiving a good opportunity, whilst Robeson was a little in front, drew a pistol and shot Robeson in the back part of the head, with two bullets and three buck shot; Robeson fell dead: Johnson took Robeson's saddle and blanket, and one hundred and twenty dollars; concealed the body of Robeson on the road side; the horse of Robeson run back to the wagon; Johnson was pursued forthwith, overtaken one hundred miles from the place, and brought back—positively denying every thing until he was carried to the fatal spot, when he confessed the whole facts, told where he put the body of Robeson, his saddle, big coat, hat, pocket book, and how much money he got. The citizens being much enraged at the atrocity of the act, about sixty of them held a council, and determined to hang him. This was told him. He said that it was right—he ought to die. They then drew down a sapling, tied a rope's end to the top of it, and hung him till he was dead! dead!: dead!!! Johnson said that his age was 21 years, that his father lived in the State of Illinois, and that himself and brother had sold goods in that State until recently. This lawless spirit of executing summary justice, regardless of the forms of law, seems to be extending to every class of crime. Johnson was as clearly murdered as was Robeson, and the evil example of the murder much more mischievous.