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- from "The Albany (TX) News, 23 Mar 1900"
We clip the following items from the Seymour news and Baylor Co. Banner, regarding Rev. W. D. Robinson's trouble. Mr. R. has many warm friends in Albany and vicinity who are in deep sympathy [with] him and family, and hope that the trouble is not so serious as the clippings may indicate.
Killing of Captain Jones
Bandera, Texas, March 3. The remains of Captain W.E. Jones, who was killed by Rev. Robinson, late chaplain of the Fourth Texas, we're brought here today. Jones had been shot five times with buckshot. His own gun was found at the bottom of the buggy. There was one chamber empty, but the weapon had not been recently exploded. Robinson was committed to jail and will have his examining trial tomorrow. The trouble between the two men was of long standing.
- Seymour News.
Rev. W.D. Robinson Kills a Man
Rev. W. D. Robinson, who was pastor of the M. E. Church at this place for the year 1897 and who was sent here for the year 1898, but resigned when he was appointed Chaplain of the 4th Texas regiment in the spring of that year, killed Capt. W. E. Jones near Medina, Bandera county, Texas, about the 1st of this month. The news appends below all the information and anent the particulars we have been able so far to get and gives it to its readers just as it was for what it is worth. Mrs. Jones, wife of the murdered man, is an old friend of Mrs. Davenport of this place, there for the letter which follows:
Medina, Texas, Mar. 4, 1900. Mrs. Maggie Davenport, Seymour, Texas.
Although I am in utter stranger to you, but your friend, Mrs. Jones requested me to write you about the sad news, the death of her husband Capt. W. E. Jones, he was shot while coming from Medina, our post-office, seven miles from the ranch, he was coming home was nearly here, he was killed by Rev. W. D. Robinson and everyone most thinks he was waylaid and killed. We are very much surprised. No one knew there was much enmity, the only thing we knew was the Capt. didn't approve of his way of doing and said so publicly and thought he had heard it and thought he would get rid of him so he couldn't expose him. Of course he is telling different things now. He is out on $4,000 bond. It is a very sad affair. I have been boarding here with them for 6 months. Write to her at once. Respectfully, Mrs. Shim.
Rev. W. D. Robinson in Trouble
A killing occurred at Medina, Texas, about the 1st of March that involved a gentleman and former pastor of Seymour, is one of the principles in the tragedy. The murdered man was Capt. W. E. Jones of Medina, and he was killed by Rev. W. D. Robinson, who will be remembered as the pastor of the Methodist church in ‘97 and ‘98. It is alleged that Jones had circulated scandalous reports concerning the family of Robinson. This caused bad blood to exist and it's so affected Robinson that he shot Jones, killing him instantly. He then surrendered to the officers and inform them where they would find the body of Jones. On reaching the place designated by Robinson the sheriff discovered the corpse. Robinson was taken into custody to await the action of the grand jury but was released on a bond of $4,000. Bro. Robinson has a large circle of friends in Seymour who sympathize deeply with him and his family in this trouble, and who will rejoice to hear of his acquittal if tried for the murder of Captain Jones.
-Baylor Co. Banner
- from "The Houston Daily Post", 3 Mar 1900 (The Portal of Texas History at texashistory.unt.edu)
Bandera, Texas, March 2. The remains of Captain N.E. Jones, who was killed by Rev. Robinson, late chaplain of the Fourth Texas, we're brought here today. Jones had been shot 5 times with buckshot. His own gun was found at the bottom of the buggy. There was one chamber empty, but the weapon had not been recently exploded. Robinson was committed to jail and will have his examining trial tomorrow. The trouble between the two men was of long standing.
- from "The Houston Post", 5 Mar 1900 (newspapers.com)
Gonzales, Texas, March 4. - The body of Captain William E. Jones, who was killed in Bandera county on the 1st, was brought here yesterday evening for burial. Some of his relatives and friends met the corpse at Harwood and when the train arrived at the depot here a large crowd was waiting. The top of the casket was raised and as the corpse looked perfectly natural the people were allowed to see the man who was so well known and popular in this county. The procession was then formed and proceeded to the I.O.O.F. cemetery, where the internment took place. The honorary and active pallbearers were selected from the number of his brother soldiers and brother officers. Rev. New Harris conducted the funeral services, paying a beautiful tribute to the life and memory of the deceased. Captain Jones served as sheriff of this county for several years shortly after the Confederate war, and also a few years ago. He was well-known all over the state as one of the best officers in it. He was a member of the famous Terry Rangers. He leaves a wife and two little children as well as a number of relatives to mourn his sad and sudden death.
- from "The Albany (TX) News", 2 Aug 1901 (The Portal of Texas History at texashistory.unt.edu)
Rev. W. D. Robinson, formerly chaplain in the 4th Regiment, Texas volunteer, was convicted of murder in the second degree in Kerr County soon after his regiment was mustered out. The judgment of the lower court has been affirmed and only executive clemency stands between him and 10 years hard labor in the penitentiary. Mr. Robinson was once an influential member of the Northwest Texas Conference, M. E. Church, South.
- from "The Waxahachie Daily Light", 20 Aug 1904 (newspapers.com)
Mr. J. T. Robinson of this city learned Saturday that his brother, Rev. W. D. Robinson, who had been convicted of murder and was serving a term of ten years in the penitentiary, had been pardoned by Governor Lanham. Mr. Robinson has worked diligently since his brother's conviction in 1901 to secure his pardon, and when he received the news that Governor Lanham had ordered him set at liberty, he was almost overcome with joy. The Killing for which Rev. Robinson was convicted, took place in Bandera County, March 1, 1900. Robinson was one of the best-known Methodist preachers in Southwest Texas, and during the Spanish-American war was chaplain of the Fourth Texas regiment. After that regiment was mustered out of service, Rev. Robinson went to Bandera County and resumed his ministerial duties. His daughter secured a school in the neighborhood and while teaching she claimed that her character was assailed by W. E. Jones, ex-sheriff of the county and it one time a justice of the peace. The young lady reported the matter to her family, and at the first meeting of the two men Jones was shot and killed. After investigating the matter the grand jury refused to return an indictment against Robinson. He plead with the grand jury to indict him in order to that the case might be disposed of, and it was at his urgent request that he was finally indicted. The district judge upon his own motion transferred the case to Kerr county, and upon trial their Robinson was found guilty and sentenced to serve ten years in the penitentiary. The petition for the convicted man's pardon included letters from many Methodist preachers throughout the state and numerous other persons.
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1841 - 1900 (59 years)
Mary Emma Menefee, b. 29 Oct 1863, Cleburne, Johnson, TX 