Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1839-02-28
Central futrlIfarurr.
THE STORY OF A BASE MURDER.

SiORt of n BASt. MI
Joseph Laugcl, convicted Of the murder of
Daniel Rapp, MAS duly executed al Buffalo on
Monday last Notwithstanding the airocious
and aggravated nature OF the CRIME = strong ef-
fort ~as made Q" procure a Communication Of SEN
'ence FROM the Governor; partly on the ground
ii 'he peculiar constitution OF the PRISONER >
mind rendering the punishment: Of death an I'M
proper one, and parry because such a course
would thereafter deter Others similarly situated
from exposing then own and others guilt" The
Governors answer To the application is pub
iishei At length ia ihe Albany Advertiser. IL IS
an admirable paper OF The kind--eyery way
worthy It's distinguished author. We annex lis
concluding passages, IN which bnef history of
tie case - gwen Phiiad. Jng
An intimacy had existe 4 sc vsr,l months
between the prisoner and Mrs. Rspp.-
The deceased disspprovsd Of this ,niirna-
cy. and. as its calsmitous result leaves no
! doubt. v,th just cause. But being Q msn
evidently Of peaceabls disposition, he con-
tented himself, for sught that appears.
with expressions Of bis di,satisfsction. -
On Mondsy .he 10Th Of July, 1897. Rapp
was brought from his barn into his house.
severely wounded in the head, and IN.
seosible. II was said by his wife. and
believed by his family and his friends,
that thi, injury had been received from
the kick Of a horse. Although the wound.
were snPposd mortal. he gradually reco-
vered. and on Friday morning walked a.
bout he room and was believed al,oyetb-
sr on, Of danger. 10 this state of conva.
leseenee he suddenly died and was bu.
ned. Suspicion xeut abroad. and alter
the lapse OF about week the body wa.
d's'nieTred and underwent post n.or,em
examination. IL then sppe AIRED death had
been produced, not BY the wound Of the
head, but by sirsnguIo,ion. The prisoner
and his parsmour. Rspp's wife, were ar
rested and the prisoner subsequently con-
fessed his guilt and accused bis accom.
plIce. His account Of the transaction !,
substantially this. That he and Mrs.
Rspp had held several conversations a.
bout killing Rspp. which resulted in an
agreement on his part several mig hts pre-.
vious 10 the first assault. to execute tina,
purpose. In pursuance to Thu, agreement
he went on one occasion TO Rspp's house
hut rsiurned without nskIng an attempt
On the Saturday night previous 10 the
first assault. he renewed his promise, and
prepared himself 9Th q weapon. On
Monday morning he ysvIaid Rapp a. he
was entering the stable, feiled him 20 the
ground, and after inhiciing several blows
left him, supPosing him TO be dead.
During Rspp's cOnvsieseeDoe, the pri.
soner vss daily IN conversation with Mrs
KApp about "fpisbisg' hi, borfid work
On Tuesday night be slept under Rspp
roof: che visited his bed several times
urging him 10 the murder. alleging tina
III he vac ever 10 DO sDy thing. he mus
do Il then, for her husband Was getiini
veil and would soon be co strong that the,
could DO nothing with him" After
night thus spen,. the prisoner and Mr.
RsPp vent into Rapp's room. Mrs. Rspr
after attempting 10 irritais her husband
pushed the prisonsS upon him. The pr
sonsF took Rspp BY the throat sud hel
him until he was dead" the wife 81 IN
SANE time assisting BY pressing upon H.
body II her husband
Such 10 tbe prisoners history Of N
transaction. A murder mors foul in il
origin and motives. OF more a'roeious 4
iis circumstances. has seldom been CON
n,it'sd IN this or any other oosatry.
am nnabls 10 conceive hov the guilt
connection bslueen th@ prisoner and N
: sifs Of he tic.ip. OF the influence owe
him which che sequired BY the eonus'
} ton. can mitigate bic guilt.
, Icsnsoi understand how the Escape
, his seeomplios from justice. can be mad
> IN srgument fOr communication Of bis pur
c ishRent
+ There is no gFousd fos doubt ibsl n
q pusonsf's confession - in every rssps
' true. lie has lndssd tho merit Of hsvir
o made H. Bot When uoSld crime reeei'
: its Jsss Punishment. II thst pvnishne
70 cosld bs avsrisd ky late snd unsvaiIiu
. cOafsssiOs The prisoner bad time Z
) Tsmorss sod fspestsnes, after making
) bogribls eonDset; after bis zee, ssssmps
+ sxeea.s bis muFdsroes parposs and