The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-06-10
John Ii. Harden, the Murderer and
Highway RObber.

On Friday last John B. Harden and Jack, IA
save,) his accompiice in the murder of Samuel
Smith, were hung at Milton, in Santa Rosa county.
Their death in this ignominious form was resolved
on by the unanimous decision of two hund red and
seventy'seven citizens of Santa Rosa county.
Upon invitation, these citizens assembled, and after
adopting series of resolutions expressive of their
horror for the many MURDERS robberes and other
crimes committed by Harden in The States of Geor-
ga, Mississippi and Florida and of their full con.
vlction of the inability of our laws to reach the
offender, for want of testimony beyond the process
OF our courts, and of the insecurity Of every cit-
Z;n OF this country in reference to both life and
property, at home on the highway, by day and
by night, while so bold desperado as Harden
lived they concluded that the law of self preser-
walton imperiously demanded the immediate exc
cution OF Harden and his accomplice in crime. 1t
appears that during the last fourteen years, no less
than sixteen murders have been charged upon Har.
den That he has within that time married sixteen
wives, all of whom are now living and that
within that lapse of time he has mysteriously es-
capsd from twelve different prisons. Shortly be-
fore the murder of Smith, for slight provocation
he approached (under the dark mantle of nigh)
the dwelling of Gardner Hardy, ESQ, worthy
citizen OF Santa Rosa, and with his rifle shot him
| as he sat at supper, the ball striking the temple
corner of the right eye, glanced and passed through
| the cheek, carrying away the roof of his mouth
| and destroying the right eve. He also, short
time since, robbed John r. Chapman, E q of
$3.50, as he lay asleep at the house of Mr.. Welch,
| sacola from Geneva. There remains no doubt on
| the public mind, that there are many others who
| were associated with Harden in his schemes of
| crime.
| Although we are no advocate for "lynch law"
yet we feel conscentiously assured that if case
ever occurred to justify aresort to it, this was the
| case. The hand of this man was thicker than
" itself in brothers blood y by him innocence,
youth and beauty, were decoyed, degraded and
despoiled, the sighs and tears Of widows and
orphans hourly ascended to heaven for vengeance
on his guilty head. The unbending rules Of law,
designed for the protection of innocence, were but
means OF escape to so artful man as Harden. No
bolts or bars could confne him. The traveller on
the highway was iu constant apprehension, as
well as the citizen at his peaceful freside, so long
as 1t was known that Harden was in the vicinity
In snort, (save the interposition of Proyidence)
there was no security against the attack of such a
man. while he moved upon the earth.
"
Painful and unpleasant as this deed of self nro
tection was, never was solemn and serions ,
matter conducted with more calmness and del;b.r.
alton. No bolsterous excitement no taunts or in
suits were offered to the unfortunate criminais
Their bodily wants were carefully attended 10
Tree access was given for spiritual counsel and con
ISOLATION. On the fatal gallows, prayers were fer
yentiy and eioquently offered up, at the request Q
Harden. And he, unfortunate man, requested /,
be prayed for, while life was in him. He repeat
ediy asserted that he deserved to die, and that h,
believed that if permitted to live, he could not re
fcrm When this t,agedy was over, the citizen
quietly returned to their homes, and engaged witt
calmness and serenity in their accustomed avoca
tons, eylncing BY their department that what hat