The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-08-31
Execution M George PharOah for tho MUIR
der OF Rachel sharPless.

EXeCuvIOn kn0rOQn
der or Rachel sharpless.
From the Philadelphia Ledger, August 30l
Yesterday was the day selected by the Executive Of
our State for nhctng the dread penalty Of the law
upon George Phsroah for the murder Of Rachel sharp
less committed II 18th OF September last The crime
~ al our prSosoy was pespssSted Dy
unlocking the scboohous door at West Goshen Ches-
ter county she being the teacher there PharLah was
suspected Of the crime from having been in the
vicinity with his gun, and this suspi zion rendered
certainty by finding that the waddng used the
which was found in his possession when arrested
He was committed prison at West Chester and after
ar was found guilty and sentenced to death on
the 18th OF February last An application was made to
the Executive for postponement on the ground that
there was an nformay in the record Of the trial. but
The copdem ned has throughout hisimprisonment,
been treated in the kndest the Sheriff and the
officers of the prison During the past he had
spiritual consolation administered by the Rev Alfred
Patton pastor OF Baptist ChuI CHI ~ Haddonfed N j.,
and the Rev VIM Moore, of the Presbyterian Church
OF West Chester. The Rev MIR Patton located at
West Chester Mt the time of Phsroahs arrest for tue
murder and having then become acquainted, the
demned man earnestly requested his presence during
the last r. days of his earthly The effect of the
religious teachings that he received in his al
tered manner and the earnestDess with which he
desired to make mis- peace with heaven In
tons with him. he confessed the object of his crime
be the possession Of the gold watch which he told
she carried When asked what he would have done with
the watch, be said he designed concesng it and selling
it after while. The watch it will be IN bered
not taken by him. the noise of the school
~-'-~~ 49,
On Saturday last Pharosh was visited by Mr. sharp-
less the father OF the Dung lady he niurtered lie
swered the questions Of the father with regard to his
motive for committing the awful deed by repeating his
assertions that it was for the watch alone Pharoah
then begged his forgiveness which the father accorded
though much agitated by the interview The father
mother and most Of the brothers and sisters of
demned visited him on Sunday. He beseeched them
most earnestly 10 turn from the of their ways
lead and better life To his father he expressed
himself thus:-"father you know you have not acted
good part towards me; yeu have never afforded me
good example to follow and permitted me to grow up in
Ignorance nd vice. Seeing his fs her greatly aeit,ted
at this accusation he said do this Kindness so tn
you be Induced to do your duty towards those
remain" He alluded to the other children, five in
Der.
Pharaoh finely proportional man, being six feet
high and at the time Of his weighing hundred
and eighty pounds In age he was about twenty, aud
the expression Of his face with light eyes aud Drown
hair, gave indications Of predispostion crime
He had been bound to farmer previous to this
bur having quarreed with his
home and refused follow the advice OF his mother
who DESTROYS he should stay out his time,
have some employment by which to make his living.
The mother OF Pharoah the sister Of Jabez Boyd
who, in 1875 murdered lad named Wesley Patton near
West Cheiter and expatcd his crime the 2st Of No
yeber ls45 and yesterday the mel hew following in the
footsteps of the uncle launched into eternity
the same scsfold the same rope having been used
AT the Sheriff, his jury and deputies, with the
prison inspectors and other officials. authorized To be
present at the execution assembled at the Court House,
and forming into procession, marched to the prison
The gaows, consisting simply OF two uprighs with
beam across, and platform on hinges, which sup.
ported by prop, erected In narrow court yard
close up against the prison wall, which completely
ned the view from the outside Ii ont
in the same spot rs when Jabez Boyd was executed
building used dye house having since been built in
the corner in which 1t then stsod Upon the roof Of
house directly opposite the Jail wall there about
twenty gathered with the object of seeing the
unfortunate ma leave the building and walk towards
the scafIod
the CONDEMNED man maintained a firm demsanor
throughout the morning. and ferventy joined 10 the
applications ade for Divine help aud by the
Rev. Messrs Patton and Moore, and the Rev George
Kirk, of the Episcopal Church, from Downingtown
George had committed to memory the 5lst and sd
psams. ntenoing TO read them himself upon the scat
fold. The attiriDg him in the shroud black cap and
placing the fatal cord around his neck him
that he forced TO give up the self imposed task
At enc O'Clock he lett the cell In which his uncle had
been confined previous to his execution, and attended
by the Sheriff and clergymen already mentioned, he
walked to his doom He assembled the scaod With but
cergymen the last sad religious ceremonies
The Rev Mr. Kirk read the two psalms that the prisoner
bad selected portion OF VIII ch repeated after him
by the condemned The Rev. Mr. Moore followed IN an
mpre ssive prayer ard Mr. Patton also fervently sd
dressed the throne If grace.
The clergyman then prepare to leave the platform,
frat ldiiDe the condemned final farewell lie grasped
them separately by The hand thanking them for their
kDdDess to him. and hoped TO meet them all heaven
To Mr. Patton ne gsvea Bible (Which had been given
him by that gentiean present TO his dear brother
Jchp and Testament TO be given TO his mother They
then left the platform and the Sheriff about
ence the final arrangements, when George desired to
sgair speak 10 Mr. Patton That gen lemtl returned
said, and the unhappy rising to his feet addressed
the crowd Of spectators by saying &c ntlemsn
Jury acknowledge the justice OF the Law, aud that IL is
right thoud be put to death am perfectly willing to
meet my fate -
The sheriff then adjusted the rope, which had pre-
viouly been cobcesled beneath the cape the black
cap which he had upon his b. ad The
ed and iastered to the beam above him lie, at this
ucnt ain expressed es ire to s.s Mr. Patton: hut he
In Moment snd, Never mind I'll tell YOU and made
whispered communication to the sheriff That officer
bsde him iartw' H. and he his hest wishes 10 him
and Mr. Darlington the deputy sheriff The last words
he said before his face hid from view by the cap
were, "God be merciful TO me, sinner.n
Everythirg being now prepared, the platform
cleared and the unfortunate condemre ed stood alone
the very brink of eternity At quarter after o'clock
the Sheriff pulled the prop from beneath the platform
and the victim Of offended justice hung suspended b..
tween Garth and heaven Though the fall scarcely
two feet Jet IL evidently docated the neck there b.ing
only the slightest noYt ment of the body AMI mb and
after about four minutes this ceased After hang
ing half an our his body taken down AMI placed In
neat walnut coffin IL was subsequently removed from
the prison end given to his parents Tor nte-rnent
Tie words whispered by the uufo tunate man 10 the
Sheriff were TO the effect that he had time mind
to hnl Elizabeth stiIk married woman living la the
negl borhoCd Of lis fathers house. ut West Goshen
ON Thursdsy. the Rev Mr. Patton wrote the following
letter at Georges dctation which he desired should
sent to his mother:-
CHEsrra CotNrY pPrsos Aug o. 1851
NV DrAR Normal feel very sorry that did MOI.
take your good ADVICE. which you gave the 18th
o lat ttember to go back to my place stay my
time out a. you wished me to do. started the 2, h
OF September with the thought In my mind Of taking
Rachel Shafpess lie tor the sake OF god watch This
vas What did It fer for nothing else Now my dear
mother, feel very sorry for the trouble have thrown
you into by my had conduct, but feel and know that
the Lord has forgiven for what have done re-
member when you were here. Of having some CONVEX
sstion with you about trying 20 meet me in a better
world, and your promise that you would try TO
meet me 10 glory these your words. remember
giving you my likeness, TO remember by when you
we're done with IL you to give It 90 my sister Ella
beth Tlen gave you tract, the Dairymans Dsugh-
ter for yoursef another for Elizabeth the History
Of little Jane ~ another for sister ebecca the History
Of the Lost Son !" then gave my brother john
A Dialogue on the Ten Ccmmandmcnts;D and gave
my father enc, the title Of which 1 now forget. One
tract fer each q and hope you will read them,
try to lead better life through the world than you did
when was with you. My dear mother, ieel very
thankful to you for your Kindness to me- since have
been In prison for the murder have very thought
o. you all since have been in prison Many tear have
l thed thinking should home again but
was so soon 10 be launched into eternity. My dear
mother, en- the 9th Of this month. that IL. last
sunday, my brother John came to early in the
morning Ter the last time that expected TO him, IN
this world and had conversation with him ab out
Aaron sharpless-tbat he had come 10 see the day
before lie came In, aud spoke 10 him about the
DER he ssked me what did II for told him my