The Arkansas banner., 1845-11-26
Reported for the Arkansas Banner.
 THE SFLBA MURDER.

Jonathan Selba war murdered on the 18th day of August last, at his residence in Moun- tain township of Washington county. He was a natter by trade, and having no family he lived alone. He was murdered for money
 A family resided about two miles distant one or two members of which, were suspect ed, by the neighbors generally, as being at least, accessory to the murder. They were arrested, but as no conclusive evidence could be had, they were released. Within few days, John Burnett, the son, most strongly suspected, left the country. The conduct oi his father, Crawford Burnett was still such as 10 confirm many ill the belief, that he was guilty. He was found sleeping in his stable, and told various tales relative to his wf:ere- abouts on the right of the murder. He was again arrested, and young gmannamed Sharp also. Tine latter agreed to declare the whole truth if they would release him. He sad that John Burnett killed Selba with hatchet that he was along, and that old Mir. Bur nett and his wife urged them to go, and es- peciallv the latter. The old woman was im- mediatelv arrested, and both she and her hus- band were committed to prison 10 await ther trial. \ company was sent to Texas 10 seek fer John Burnett, and danotherto Missouri,a as 1t was not known where he had gone. He was caughtin Missouri, and has been brought back and committed to the Fayetteville jail, slAce the trial the old people
 At the late special term, Crawford Burnett and hjs wife were put upon trial, and alter patient hearing, they were both found guilty, and sentenced, by Judge Sneed, to be hung on the 8lh of this month. Saturday last be- ing the time appointed, some 380O or 4900 persons assembled at Fayetteville. About one o'clock in the evening, the prisoners were brought out, under a guard of one hun dred men under the command of Genl. Wood, there being also one hundred men at the gal lows, previously. under the command ol Gen. Newton Ii is certainly due 10 the officers and men, to say that every thing was conduct ed win perfect order and decofum. The scene was grand, imposing and awful. No one doubted the guilt of the prisoners, al- though they denied any knowledge of the murder to the last breath. The old woman embraced the Roman Catholic faith, and died, believing, as she said, that she would be sa- Yel The old man remained stubborn 10 the ast, saying that He was as good as any man.
 At half past two o'clock, they were led up- oil the scadol1 by Sherif. 0 O'Brian, assisted by Genl Wood The ropes were adjusted, and their caps drawn down over their faces. The Sheriff cut the rope, the drop fell, and the two poor, miserable and guilty victims hung between heaven and earth as it for nei- ther This is the first legal execution which ever took place in Washington county. John Burnett is yet in jail awaiting his trial, which will take place at the ensuing term of the Washington Circuit Court.
 The following is the sentence passed by Judge SygrD on LaViaa Burnett having pre- Yiously pronounced substantially the same on her husband.
 "Larina BuasH; You stand charged Wi.h one of the vilcat crimes taat have eyer stain ed the character of a human being. ! ou have been indicted fer being accessory to the maF der of Jonathan Selba, your neighbof, az an- offending man, and good citizen. jury of your own county, selected by yourself, at- ter maturedclberation, have pronounced Yoa guilty. Such are the circumstances conuec- ted with your case, and such has been the evidence given iA before this colrt, concern ing t, that no enc, who has been ia a'tca!- ance. caA eatetzain, for one moment, yaaon- al doubt of your guih. I ou not only con sented that your victim should die for the sake of few dollars, but you urged Eour own child-the offspring of your own body, to commit the foul deed, and to dip bis hands in human gore. You have therefore forfeit ed your own life il the view of the law of the land, and the painful duty now devolves on this court to pass upon you the sentence of death
 Miserable woman! You have not only hurried your fellow being, Selba, into the spirit-world, but you nave ruined your hus- band, your son, and yourself, and plunged your whole family into the diyest calamity and distress. \ mothers love for her off spring has ever been pfoverbial; but you have forgotten every tender lIe, crushed every ennobling principle, and desecrated every high and holy trust. But this court desires not to magnify guilt, nor to awaken the vengeance of all incensed community against you. That hour is past, and you are now only an object of commisseralion and pity. Every latitude which tine most li5ela con- struction of the law and facts. would allow, has been afforded you; and you have beeu defended by able and ingenious counsel, whose efforts in your behalf, though una yaiIng, call for your unbounded gratitude.-
 To die when one is prepared, is by no means a calamity; but to perish on the scaf- fold as felon, and to be driven into the pre- sence of the Judge of all the earth, all stained with foul crime, is the direst calamity that can beial one of our race You have bat a few days to live! Let me enreat you. not to entertain single hope of Executive cle- mency, nor to squander away single mo- ment of your precious time, Set about that preparation for death, which should have been the great business and grand aim of your whole life. Although your way to the grave, must lead you through pain and disgrace, yet there IS one Source from whence you, per adventure, may yet find mercy: there Is one Being who yet regards you with infinite com passion. Go to h'm. He has power on earth 10 forgive sins. TAe ministers of the gospel will wait on you in your gloomy prison, and point you to the only source whence you may obtain succor
 You are to be taken to the jail whence you l came and there rpnla1r in ciosp nnp6nno,nnt