Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1851-08-16
THE TRIPLE EXECUTION AT CHESTER
TOWN, MD.
DETAILED ACCOUNT.

Cosden family, at Chestertown, on Fri
day:
Three steamboats,, the "Portsmou,h,"
"Port Deposit and "Dupont," brcugh,
large numbers of persons from along the
line of their river routes, whilst crowds
came from every other direction
A troop of horse, from Queen Anne's, also
came TO town, which, with two companies
of troops of this county, and three hundred
armed citizens on foot, made an imposing
acquisition 10 the population of this quiet
town.
The prisoners each had some of their
male relatives visiting them last night, for
the purpose of taking final leave, and receiv
ing such directions as they desired 10 give
in reference 10 the disposition of their cloth
ing, &c. The clergy then counseled and
prayed with them, and some OF the legal
gentlemen concerned in their trial were
with them till late hour Each adhered
TO his fotmer oft-repeated declaration oil IN
nDcence.
visited the Jail early this morning, and
ascertained that they had rested quiet and
well during the night. Murphy, indeed,
slept soundIy.
found Abraham Taylor, Nicholas Mur-
phy, and William Shelton, awa'ing their
doom with the most astonishing apparent
Indifference /; Shelton, perhaps, being rather
more depressed than usual. The clergy
was early in attendance but though MuI-
ply and Taylor professed hopes of the lu-
lure. Shelton preserved his usual cold and
callous appearance.
Rev Mr.. Majors, of Delaware, eloquently
appealed TO their religious feelings to-day
Shelton remained cold. Murphy shouted
"Praise 10 Almighty God" and prayed for
his wife and children and Taylor declared
confidence that the Almighty would take
care of him, but wppt al the idea OF leaving
his wife and children.
The officers undertaking TO array. the
prisoners for the execution, when the white
robe was placed on Murphy, he remarked,
81 suppose that is my last dress, but some
one else ought to wear il )" and the black
cap being placed on his head, he said, with
quite a sneer, "Wel, suppose am dressed
now.n
They were properly robed, and with
hands tied and elbows pnioned, were march
ed 10 an open passage way, Shelton in ad'
vance. Upon Tayor's approaching him,
Taylor mplored him to tell what he knew
Of the matter, and to state conversation
that is supposed TO have taken place be-
tween Shelton and Drummond, some time
previous TO the arrest but Shelton positive
ly adhered TO his Oft repeated declaration
that he knew nothing 70 say, and that he
was innocent
The prisoners were then walked ont o
Jail and placed upon chairs in an open wa
gon. The clergy were Immediately in thel
rear, with some of the counsel and severa
representatives of the press. hoIlo"
square guard OF three hundred footmen sur
rounded them in the order of procession
with troops Of horsemen in the front an'
rear.
The crowd was dense all along the lint
of march, but no interruption occurred.
At ten minutes to 10 o'clock, the conLem
ned were seated upon the scafold, surroun
ded by the ministers of the law, the clerg
and the representatives of The press.
Mr.. Wm. Cosden, father of the person
who, with his family, were murdered, an
for which three men were about 10 be exc
cuted, came upon the scaiIold to take leav
of them. The old gentleman wept mo;
bitterly, and said 10 them, you know m
son never did you any harm ; whilst tn
culprits protested their innocence and al
nounced that they forgave him and a
others for the part taken in their conyic
ton.
Rev. DR.. Johns then offered a solem
prayer to Heaven in behalf of the Gu
pris.
Rev. Mr. Vallent admonished them {
caution, III leaving This world without
clear conscience, and was followed by III
Rev. Messrs. Petit and Majors, also in II
gard to their souls eternal interests. Til
clergy then retired. Mr.. Richards the
asked the condemned if they had anythir
10 say.
Abm, Taylor promptly rose and steppi'
TO the other side of the scahold from whe
he had been seated, briefly addressed Il
multitude, saying that in view of the te
minutes now only between him aud eternl
he felt compelled sill to aver his innocenc
that his life had been sworn away by /
man Shaw, who turned States witness.
declared that he had not seen Murphy
about five years previous to the arrest, a
that he never knew or saw Shelton until
met him in Jail after the arrest, and he
pressed his hope of going 10 place OF n
in the future. lie spoke without any a
pearance of embarrassment and with mu
physical and mental self-possession
Nicholas Murphy next stepped forwa
and ayerring his innocence, said he was
within nine miles of Cosden's house I
night Of lhe murder ; the distance viii
Murphy lived from where Cosden did, bel
nine miles thai he had never soon Cosd