Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-02-10
ARRIVAL oFTHE PRoMETHEUs.

The steamer Prometheus arrived to-day from
San Juan. She leh there on the 18th, and left
the U. s. Steamer Saranac and Sloop of War
Albany in that port, and the English steamer
Arrogant and Brig Express. She brings three
hundred passengers, and 100000 gold dust on
freight, and 100000 in hands of passengers.
BUFFALO, Jan. 80.
The execution of Hiram Knickerbocker, for
the murder of Karl Hackner, on the Goth Of
January 1851, took place in the jail yard in this
city to-day. He was visited at an early hour
by Rev. DR.. Thompson, Rev. Dr.. Chester, Rev.
Dr. Roby and several other ministers. His
mind appeared easy, he entered with energy in
the religious exercises, and seemed to give
much attention to his spiritual advisers. About
IL o'clock about 100 hundred persons had as
sembed in the Jail yard to witness the execu-
ton. The scaffold was erected in corner of
the yard, opposite the Jail; it was rough frame
Of timbers, with u flooring about ten feet from
the ground. He assembled by fight of wood
en- steps. The trap door or drop was opposite
the jail 1t was kept up by a rope drawn tight
ly through the block and made fast to the bot
tom of one of the poles of the scaffoding.
The drop fell upon the cutting Of the rope
1t was covered by an awning which extended
over the entire end of the yard.
An immense concourse Of people had assem-
bled outside of the walls to the number Of
two thousand.
The District Attorney, Williams, arrived at
twenty minutes to twelve and delivered to the
Sheriff the certificate of the Governor, for the
carrying out of the sentence of the law. At
three minutes past twelve the procession moved
from the prison to the scaffold. The prisoner
walked with firm step between Sheriff Farm
ham and Deputy Sheriff Hurlbert.
He was clad in white shroud over his ordi-
nary suit Of black clothes, with boots, and rub
bers over them, and a white cap on the head
His hair was carefully combed, and his counte-
nance very pale and wan. His eye had at first
q calm look. He assembled the steps without
assistance, and with quiet step, accompanied
by the Rev. DIR. Chester and Sheriff, and Deputy
Sheriff, and Mr.. l.. Pierce.
After speaking for few seconds with DR..
Chester, he faced the crowd beneath him, and
spoke nearly as follows;
"Inever killed Harkner; am innocent; you
are hanging a man unjustly. If the Governor
knew what know myself, he would not have
hesitated to commute my sentence, if not
have pardoned me. | cannot account for the
murder, except that lost my presence of mind.
| am about TO suffer unjustly."
Here Knickerbocker turned to those by his
side, and said
I" / feel it is so, this is truth"
He then continued addressing the people.
GOD will judge between me and my accu-
sers. am thankful for the knowledge have
received from Mr.. Clarke, the Jaor, and the
Rev. Mr.. Chester, and the officers"
He spoke few minutes longer, when the
District Attorney, in front of the scaffold, read
the warrant for the execution in clear voice
Towards the last his countenance changed. His
lips were very white.
He was frightened at the noise Of the mob
outside, and visibly affected.
His last look upon the world WAS then taken
and the cap drawn over his eyes. His neck
was then encrcled with the fatal rope, and al
~ minutes past IL the cord was cut, the drop
fell, and as the body fell his neck appeared to
be instantly broken. The muscles were con.
traced.
After hanging the usual time, the body was
cut down and placed in a coffin, and delivered tc
| his friends.