The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-06-09
- From the HAIadelphis bulletin; Jaas I -
Interview between Arthur Spring and hts

- From the HAIadelphis bulletin; Juas I
Interview between Arthur Spring and hts
Son.
On Saturday we furnished our readers with the
details OF an interview we had on Friday with
Arthur Spring The condemned man told US at
that time that although his son was HE murderer,
he would freelyf rgve him, but that he wou d not
see him. The authorities decming il proper that
an interview should take place between the boy
ano nis wretched par emit, telegraphed TO Washing
Gait and yesterday morning presented himseif at
.ne prison The lad was introduced into the cell
O :, ."e Goolheo man in company with Rev John
Street, rev Mr. Kensil, and Mr. Alexander the
moral instructor of the prison ,Fbe coun,enance
oi young Arhur betokened the mental agony be
was suHerlhg. Upon entering the cell he looked al
Dis wrstcheo parent for moment and then threw
himself upon his breast and sobbed cenyulsively
'My father! my dear father.''
+ The criminal was also much moved; he eu.
braced his son fondly, and kissing him bestowed
upon him the most affectionate and endeating
terms. Both the father and son wept copiouslv
The latter appealed tenderly TO his father 10 tell
the truth concerning the murder, and say that
he-the eon-was innocent Tbs boy was moot
earnest in his appeals, and the determined will of
the condemned man seemed 10 give way TO the
promptings of natural affection for his offspring.
He groaned, and pressing his TO his breast,
said, "My darling, sciH tell the truth
The son eeized eagerly upon this declaration,
and with his voice broken with sobs continued to
beseech the father to savc his reputation. "You
know" continued he, 81 had nothing 10 do with
the murder OF the women; do have pity opoh me
do say am innocent
Those who were present seconded the efforts of
the boy to induce the father TO tell the truth, but
Spring answered them obstnately that he knew
nothing about the murder. TO the boy he made
no admissions, nor yet did he plainly refuse 10
his reputation from the dreadful stigma be had
cast upon it. The criminal answered with extreme
caution, and assured the con that he would do
what he could for him-that be was willing TO die
for him.
Refer nee was made 10 the money which had
been taken from the trunk Of Mrs. Lynch. Spring
said he had never seen it until the son gave ii TO
him. The latter demonstrated with his father for
telling such fasehood.
The boy continued to implJre his parent to con-
fess the truth, and preserve him from the misery
that must be the lot of the former in after life if
this load of imputed crime 10 rest upon him.
After many affecting appeals on the part Of the
son, and tervent protestations OF affection from the
father. without, however, having the desired effect
OF eliciting confession, the persons present
deemed it best to retire and leave the unhappy
pair together; before leaving the cell the reverend
gentlemen knelt in prayer for the wretched crimi-
nal and his agonized son. When the persons W no
were present were about going, they said: car
thur, the world has condemned you no longer
fit to live. It has been reported that you said that
if you could get hold of your son you would kill
him. We shall now give you opportunity to show
that you not the heartless man you reported
to be.'' Spring embraced his son, and in terms of
endearment protested he would not iniure hair
of his head.
The father and son were left alone for an hour;
when the party returned, both were calm; the pa
rent soothing the anxious boy by promising to do
all that lay in his power to crafty him. At the
close of the interview the condemned man re-
quested the TO cut off lock of his hairto carry
to his more than orphaned daughters. This
done by the poor youth, who was almost blinded
by his tears.
1t was designed that the meeting which had
taken place should be the last on earth between
the two, but circumstances brought about another
interview in the afternoon. Spring had received
some intimation that his body was TO be handed
to the physicians for dissection after his
ton. This disposition of his remains seems 10
have caused him much trouble. The son, before
going to the prison, made application TO the au.
thorties to have the body given into his banda
after all was over. This request granted 1t
is believed that during the interview yesterday
morning the father told the boy mis- fears concern
ing the disposition Of the remains and the latter
determined not TO leave the city without some fur
Their assurance that the promise made him would
be fulfilled. Accordingly after leaving the prison
with the Rev. Mr.. Street. he called upon District
Attorney Reed and received written authority TO
demand the body after the execution.
With this document in his possession, young
Arthur again visited the prison in the afternoon,
and spent two three hours alone with his father.
Ii is said that the most kindly and af1ectionate
spirit exhibited by Spring at the second inter
view; and from the fact that the said, after
believed that the murderer has promised to confess
all.
Young Arthur returned to Washington last
night 1t is arranged for him to come back to this
city Friday, in time to take charge Of the body
of his miserable parent.
Spring, the elder, has since signed paper ex-
onerating his son from guilt in the murder of Mrs.
Shaw and Mrs. Lynch, as far as he knows, and
stating that be does not believe his son had any
knowledge of the murder
The following is the document which the wretch
ed man signed, generating his son:
"MoyAMENsINe PRIsoN, June z, 1853.
81, Arthur Spring. do most soemnly, in the fear
of God, before whom soon to appear and in
the presence of the Rev. John Street, and the Rev.
Mr.. Kensil, declare that my son, Arthur Spring,
ir., as far as know, had no hand in the murder Of
Mrs. Shaw and Mrs Lynch. Neither do believe
that he had any knowledge of these persons being
murdered. Witness my hand,
"ARTHUR SPRING.
witnesses present, J. Street and R. T. Kensil,''
phic despatch in another column ex-
hibts the murderer in still another phase.