The New York herald., 1845-08-23

The Execution or Carter and Parl<e, Yestsr-
day, At Belvidere, for the Murder OF the
Castncr Family, I'm May, ls43.

We received the following, by special ex-
press, from Belvidere at late hour last evening"
BELvrDERE, Aug. q, l845.
To-day is the time appointed lfor the execution
of Joseph Carter, Jr, and Peter w. Parke, for the
O'clock A. NJ, the crowd is great, numbering per-
haps five thousand persons. The greatest excite
ment prevails, and the crowd is increasing. The
military arriving in large numbers, and the sound
OF their solemn martial music strikes the ear, pro-
ducing long train OF unpleasant reflections
These men, upto this Time, protest their innocence
and there are strong doubts of their guilt. BE that
as il may, they will certainly be hung at o'clock,
to-day. II will be remembered that the Changwater
murder was committed on the night OF the LIST OF
May, 1843 under circumstances the most appalling.
An old bachelor, John b. Parke, his sister, Mrs.
Castner, her husband John Castner, and an infant,
scarcely two years old were hurried into eternity
that fearful night Suspicion at upon stran-
gers, and large number were taken up and examln-
ed, without elucidatng anything like guilt on any
OF those examined. few suspicious circumstances
being observed in the conduct OF Jos. Carter, Jr,
and Peter W. Parke, they were arrested about two
months after the murder, indicted by the grand jury,
tried and convicted Joseph Carter was first brought
TO trial he protested his innocence His trial came
on at August term, 1913, and after laborious and
protraced trial OF four weeks, he acquitted. He
was again brought to trial at the February term,
1874, OF our Court, and the prosecution ellcitlng
some new testimony of very important character,
ne was convicted His conviction was procured
entirely upon circumstantial testimony. The State
having knocked one prop from under the horrld
tragedy, II was resolved upon to prosecute the mat
ter still further. AT the same term OF February,
ISli, two other indictments were found, one against
Peter w. Parke, the prisoner now under sentence
OF death, and his uncle, Abner Parke.
ls44 and after spending four and more in that in
vestgation, he was acquitted The court continued in
session until Peter w Parke was tried and convicted
His conviction was also procured upon circumstantal
testimony. Exceptions were taken on the trials of both
Carter and Parke, in order to ground application be-
fore the Supreme Court for new trials and at the July
term of that court those exceptions called up, and
argued with much ability, by Gov. vroom and Senator
Dayton, for the prisoners, and William Halsed and Atty
General Browning for the State. The Supreme Court
refused the application for new trials and their
tho the 'ns 81
inns ms the entire
strange and singular The most respectable people
Of the city of Trenton and vicinity visited them and
such Impressions made upon them by the prison
ers as induced them to believe they innocent the
charge brought against them Their friends carried their
eases before the pardonng power the last resort
,nem ana ma mere again ihey were doomed to disappont
sion cut of, at once, all hope this side of the grave
When the news of the pardoning power having refused
to interfere in their cases, was communicated to them
they were completely unnerved All hope had for the
first time left them and they reduced Of
complete misery. TherHwives were present on that
occasion and tongue describe the scene no words
| can convey an adequate description
The clergy was then sent for and they commenced in
earnest seeking for consolation. Clergymen of various
denominations visited them in their confinement at Tran
ton before they brought this place. and they ell
the prisoners had made their peace with God On Sa
turday last the sheriff Of Warren with sufficient
cor set out for Trenton in order to bring the prisoners
this place executed to-day On their way hither
they manifested no sarm for their approaching fate In
deed they were extremely lively, seemed in way
depressed or broken down in spirit. The excitement
along the road the prisoners pursued their way hthe
was intense Crowds congregated at every corner and
cross road and they during that day least the
lions Of the ascendant. The sheriff arrived Monday
night about nine O'Clock, and crowd of hundreds wit
messed the last confinement Of these unhappy young
this side the grave From Monday night until this
time they have been visited in their cells by their
sell relations and friends Sad have been all Of those
meetings. Carters spirits fast leaving him, and
think he will be borne to the place of fexecution. Not
SO with Parke his step is as firm everhs cheek
He is hero, under such awful circumstances he de-
clares and protests his innocence and in all probability
thing He says he is resigned to his ate-that he has
made his peace with God and expects to die christian
nualy in tears he also protests his entire innocence
Whether either Of them innocent God only knows
That the prisoners will be executed at the time appoint
ed, no one doubs. Our town commenced filling up last
night and long before morning every filed
to overaowing: Wagons are strung along streets
for hundreds of yards end space hitherto
quiet village is lett unoccupied Here be all
sorts ard condition Io peopethe gentleman, the raga-
way dandy--the Dutch country girl and the Haunting
town girl indeed all sorts and kinds are sprnkled
around in plentiful profusion
III O'CLOCK A. M.-The crowd incr eases--a long train
OF vehicles are arriving from every direction This is
to be private execution yet thousands will witness it,
OF the court house. about eight feet high scaod is
erected in the centre about the height fence upon
which .he prisoners to stand before their execution
Upon this seaold funeral service to be preached
suitable to the occasion. There will be large funeral
audience present. but with what feelings will vast
jority listen to the discourse This crowd has
been brought together by idle curiosity and for what
To see two fellow creatures suddenly of in the primo
OF eto see two ndiv iduals rush into untred ftu
ry My heart sickens at the bare mention of this
rble matter But this is gala day here's is hustle
aud confusion. The laughing young maiden whom see
yonder, with her beau, impelled by mere
idle curiosy-perhaps to show her fine clothes Her
companion in her society, is perfectly happy There
now the ground ten thousand persons perhaps MORE
certainly not less Twelve o'clock approaches. The
prisoners are comngsec how the crowd sways to and
ascend the scafold with firm and measured steps Car
ter falters ltte-Parke walks erect. They are now
nifty. have just taken a survey Of the crowd The
stree in front of the house one hundred feet in
width win vacant grounds on both sides, above and be-
hundred yards above and below the court house The
house tops are crowded to overowng; and every win
dow within sight is mass OF living heads Our town is
covered by an avalanche Of humanity God grant that
all may pass of without any injury being done; but
must return TO the scene of the execution.
HALrrAsr - O'CLOCK. The execution is over. The
eless bodies Of these two unfortunate young men are
dangling lifelessly the open air The prisoners
attended to the scafold by four clergymen and
few Of their friends The Rev. James Clark of the
byterian church. offered afervent prayer the
each other and then of their friends; when all being aa-
used at an appointed signal the rope cut and
ter and Parke are now beyond the confines of this world
They said few words when on the scaffold, but was
too far of to hear what they They died protest.
ing their innocence and the secret of the Chaneewater
tragedy is yet enshrouded in much mystery ever
SHIP BERLIN STRUCK BY LIGHTNNe.-Capt Han
bury, OF the towboat Claiborne, arrived here yester-
day. reports that the ship Berlin Capt Baker struck
by lightning on Monday last at o'clock,P NJ while she
was lying at the bar The electric fluid struck all three
OF her masts and passing down the manmast entered
her hold, setting fire to her cargo, consisting Of cotton
and tobacco The Of two pilot boats, (Nessrs.
Swiler and Baker's) and the Of the towboa Cai-
borne, went to her assistance and succeeded after cut
ting up her decks AFT and with the use fhe forcepump
board the Claiborne in extinguishing the fire by dnt
of four hours unremtng exertion Five bales OF cot
n and four hhds tobacco thrown overheard and
some of the cargo discharged into the towboat-
Captain Baker thinks he will be able to repair his ship
without returning to the cityN Orleans pap, .4ug H.