The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1853-06-16
THE EXECUTION

men sung hymn, but the prisoner made
no effort to join in.
THE EXECUTION
The jack-ketch on this occasion was
negro, as we were informed, who wore a.
grotesque mask, representing blooming
youth. He was dressed in the prison
garb, had his hands gloved, and wore
cap much like that Of Spring.
PROCESSION TO THE GALLONS.
Mr.. Anthony Freed took the right of the
procession to the gallows. He was fol-
lowed by the executioner. Next the
prisoner: with the Clergymen and sheriff.
Then followed the Marshal and police
board, wearing their badges Next the
Sherif's Jury and Special Deputies.
Then came the reporters of the press, and
after these the citizens who were invited
to witness the execution.
On the way to the gallows there was
considerable confusion and disorder a
mong those who were placed so as to fall
in at the close of the procession, but who
wanted to break the line, and be among
the first on the hanging ground The
Marshal's Police finally restored order,
but not without much effort
THE scAFFoLD.
The prisoner was the first to ascend the
scafold, followed by the clergymen, the
Sheriff and Marshal of Police. The
hangman did not go up until after relig
ious exercises were over.
The Sherift's Jury, the Police board
the Reporters, and various functionaries,
were ranged in circle round the gallows
The condemned bore himself with a good
deal of GOODNESS. The parties being all
arranged on the scafold, the proceedings
were as follows:
Rev. John Street said Arthur Spring ),
you have been convicted of the murder
of Mrs. Shaw and Mrs. Lynch. The ex-
ecution of that sentence is now to take
place. have not ceased to warn you
of the necessity of repentance, and your
making your peace with God. Are you
guilty of the murder of those women
Arthur Spring with much feeling, re-
piled, No, sir no, sir
Rev. Mr.. Street, (resuming. .)-it has
also been alleged, and the Grand Jury
have brought true bill against you in
regard to the murder of Mr.. Rink-Are
you guilty or not guilty of that murder?
Arthur SPRING. never saw the man
in my life.
Rev Mr.. Street, have but one more
question to ask you. Before God, who
sees you, and in whose presence you are
soon to stands your son, Arthur Spring
Jr., entirely clear of the murder of those
women
Arthur Spring i believe that he is, l
believe that he had nothing more to do
with it than l had.
Rev. Mr. Street.-May God have mer-
cy on your soul. 1t is all l have to say.
Mr.. r. 7 Kensil-(hose on the scat
fold knoeling down, } prayed as follows
Almighty God, the Father of our spirits,
the Redeemer of our soul, whose eyes are
now upon US, who knows the secrets of
all our hearts, we would approach the
mercy seat on this solemn occasion through
merits and righteousness of our Lord Je-
sus Christ and humbly beseech Thee to
look now upon this condemned man, who
is to pay the penalty by the forfeiture of
his life. We humbly beseech Thee, OF
Lord God, as thou art acquainted with
the secrets of his heart and as Thou well
knowest who was the murderer of those
for whose death he is now to suffer, if he |
is guilty. The condemned here shook
his head VIOLENTLY
Rev. Mr.. Kensil continuing)-to move
his heart. Do Thou, oh Lord, so move
him that he may declare, before God, his
Maker, whether he is the guilty man or
not. And, oh Lord God, we humbly be-
sech Thee compassionately to look upon
him in mercy. to forgive his sins, and re-
ceive him to Thyself. We would pray
for our Heavenly Father to extend His
mercy to that boy and those gisls, his
children And, oh may the spirit of the
Lord guide them, and may they find mer
cy among mankind, and may they find
mercy in God! We pray Thee to take
us all into Thy heavenly keeping; prepare
us for the events of Thy providence; re-
ceive this man and, finally, all this multi
tude here, in Heaven, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
Rev. Mr.. Street.-The tells us that his
son is entirely innocent of the murder
He made that statement last night at mid
night to me in his cell, and he now de-
clares before this multitude that the stain
of blood is not upon the skirts of his boy.
Arthur Spring-Gentlemen: | will go
further and say
Here he was drawn into conversation I
with those around him.
Rev. Mr.. Kensl then advanced to the {
front of the scafold and said He wish S
ed to say, Gentlemen, and [ will declare /
it for him" S
Arthur Spring approached his side, |
and in clear tone Of voice spoke to those I
before the gallows as follows ;-"Gentle- c
men, | went to bed that night about sew J
IN o'clock, and never got out of my bed /
until Twas called to my breakfast in the f
| never knew anything of the c
murder until the officers told me of it." 9
Al Al =,