The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-08-20
EXECUTION OF THE MURDERERS OF
THE COSDEN FAMILY.

VIM. Shelton, Abm. Taylor and Nicho-
las Murphey were executeaat Chestertewn
Md, on last Friday. for the murder of vii
liam, Mary Ann, apd Amanda Goshen,
and Catharine Webster. a sister ofMrs.
Cosden, for the sake Of money.
The prisoners protested their innocence
to the last Muphey had a wife and six
children; he was aged 40. Taylor was
aged 81, and had a wife and five children
Shelton was 25 years old, and relative
of Murphy. Over 5000 witnessed the ex-
ecution, but not white lady near.
Taylor. on the scaffold, said to the pub
lie he was innocent, and had not seen
Muphy for five years before his arrest, and
never knew Shelton until they met in Jail
He was selfpossessed. Shelton would moi
say anything, and has all along been cold
distant and mistrustfu Of every one.
Murphy then advanced. Taylor resum-
ing his seat, and addressed the crowd
He said, 81 was not within nine miles Of
Cosden's house on the night Of the murder
did not know that there was such man.
or family as Cosden's in the world. was
in bed at eight O'Clock on that night with
my wife. | am innocent Of the murder,
and (turning to the Sheriff. you can pro-
ceed to murder me as quick as you please.
Al, OF you hear this in mind, that am not
u murderer"
fhe Sheriff then arranged their caps,
placed them on the trap, and the trigger
was sprung.
The knot of Murphy's rope slipped loose,
Che fall being from six to seven feet, he
was precipitated to the ground, to uni.
versal thrill of horror! He lay on the
ground and rolled over, cried in the most
piteous manner, his neck being severely
lacerated by the rope. Taylor and Shell
ion died easy; Taylor scarcely moving his
limbs.
1t was necessary to let Taylor and Shell.
ton hang till dead, before the scaffold
could be again fixed for Murphy's execu.
ton.
He was conducted TO a chair and sal
down, protested that he was not guilty, and
begged they would spare his life. "Oh,'
said he, .for an innocent man to be hung
half dozen times! Oh! my poor, deal
wife! Oh, to think that was hung once
and am to be hung again-an innocent
man this day."
Rev. Mr.. Valiant urged him to confess
:, all he knew-that he would certainly bt
hung again, and nothing could save hun
Murphy said he had already told all ht
knew, and that was nothing; that if he hat
known anything he would have confessed
it long ago. "Oh, my God" he continu
ed, ..to think have to be hung over again
Oh, my God, to murder an innocent mar
this way!" He asked for drink of waite
and it was procured for him. but the inlur.
to his throat prevented him from swallow
ing it. =.
Shelton and Taylor having hung 2
minutes, were pronounced dead by th
surgeons in attendance, and were takeI
down. The knots OF both ropes had slip
ped 10 the back parts of the neck. Tay
ior's neck was cut on one side very deeI
by the rope. and the bone was dislocated
Shelton's neck was not cut or dislocated
The bodies were placed in plain pine col
fins, painted black, and removed from un
der the scaffold
The scaffold and rope having been re
adjusted, Murphy was again assisted OF
the trap, and the moose being fixed to hi
neck, in minute of time he was danglln
in the air' Before the trigger was pule
he said, 9" am innocent. gentlemen; neV
er knew Cosden do not know whethe
TAYLOR had anything to do with the mur
der, but Shelton know was not there o.
that night. ! am an innocent man, goln
home to my God! Oh, gentlemen, 40 nc
kill mel"
The drop fell the second time and III
body having hung some 80 minutes, wa
taken down and placed in coffin.
TEMPERANCE AND ANTI-SLAyERY Con
~ENrIoNs-CINcINNATl, Aug. l2.-Th
temperance. people Of this county hav
held a convention, and resolved to hold
State Convention at Columbus early i
September, 10 nominate candidates 10
Judges, the Legislature, and other offices
irrespective OF party. who will carry ou
the temperance provisions OF the new con
stitution.
The Liberty party Of this county ais
have called convention to appoint dele
gates to a general convention at Colum
bus. TO nominate candidates for the ap
preaching election.
A MAN Over THE FALLs.-A dispatc|
to the Buffalo papers from Niagara Falls
Aug. 9Th, halfpast o'clock P. NJ. says:
man has just gone over the Falls! II
came down in small boat. and aPpeare
10 he asleep. The people shouted to hin
c.,, ,io shore and woke him uD. but