The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-06-22
Arthur Spring and his Son.

- - INV A'sotaCt VI NliSs oHAW w anu
LYNCH, in Philadelphia. Last Friday. in
due course OF law, SPRING was killed in
cold blood by the State OF Pennsylvania,
that is to say hung by the neck until he
died. The destruction of his life was at
tended with as many circumstances ofhor-
ror as that Of the two poor hapless women
whom he murdered. So far he and the
bloody code are even. The entertaining
particulars of his death have already been
given in our paper. Some five hundred
people oil various ages, sexes and condi-
tons were allowed to crafty their heart
less curiosity by witnessing the delectable
show, at SPRING s execution. The follow
ing is an account of several interviews be.
tween SPRING and his son. shortly previous
10 his being choked to death with rope
by order OF court:
The telegraph has already acquainted
US with the fact that Spring, the murderer,
(Philadelphia) has withdrawn his horrible
accusation against his on-namely, that
bis son, and not himself, murdered the two
women for which crime he is sentenced to
be hanged. The following particulars OF
the interview, from the Philadelphia Led.
ger, will be read with interest:
The scene, which occupied three or four
hours. was the most affecting that ever oc.
Cured within the walls of the prison, and
almost defies any attempt 10 give an ade.
quxte description.
The following dialogue between them
contains some OF the most affecting por-
tions OF the conversation, in which the son
vainly endeavored 10 induce his father to
clear him from the imputation Of guilt in the
murder. He said
my father! say father oh, have pity
upon me! oh have pity, and tell the
truth Do. O do say am innocent! Oh,
you know | am My dear, my dear faith
er. you know am innocent!
The father, thus appe aled to, groaned a.
loud, and strained him TO his bosom, with
the most intense affection, answering.
my son, my darling. ! will tell the
truth /"
Eagerly seizing on the expression, the
son followed up his weeping request.
"Oh my father have pity upon me oh,
do say am innocent You know had
nothing to do with the murder Of the wo-
men -
Still that man Of iron nerve, although
conyulsed with agony, answered cautious.
ly and in general terms.
..Aly dear, dear boy. will do whatever
lean for you. will die for you ~
Another gush OF grief relieved the swell
ing bosom OF the weeping youth, and a.
gain. in the most affecting manner, he
szid.
"Oh, my father, dear father. you know
] love you. Oh tha, could die in your
stead. For what is life TO me now! Ny
course Of misery is already begun. The
gloomy future grows darker every day
You are soon to die; few brief. painful
hours will close your earthly sufferlngs !;
but mine, oh, my father. my sufferings.
where are they to termina ate? | am al.
ready pointed at and avoided Where
shall hide my head. il you die without
clearing me from the dreadful crime9 Oh,
how can boar 10 live?''
Then. in an agony Of grief, he tenderly
upbraided him.
"Oh, my father, my father, you have ro
pity. you have no pity. You see me bow
ed down with grief. and you viii make it
deeper and darker, by Withholding the
truth. oh. tell the truth, and die happy !!
Now. while clasp you in my arms. lei me
bring you to God aud ask forgiveness, and
die in peace Oh. how can you die with
out telling the truth 90
To all these touching appeals, the deep
ly agitated father returned indirect or eva
sive answers, as il in the storm Of grief, he
took counsel in his gloomy soul, SO as 10
answer as not to grieve his son, nor TO
commit himself. Their excited feelings
becoming somewhat calm. they could
speak with more composure. The father
gently upbraided the son, as being the in.
strumental cause ofhis conviction This
brought on, passion OF grief, and he con-
yulsively sobbed out:
s.Oh my father, what could do, when
compelled to testify had TO speak the
truth. Oh forgive me, forgive me, dear
father; my heart was with you. while my
lips spoke the painful truth. Oh forgive
mo -
II do forgive you, my darling, but mol
Burns nor Raglan"
30 yes. lhy dear father, all: Oh forgive
oil, and make your peace with Ileaven!"
The gentlemen present knelt in solemn
prayer. for the weeping parent and ago.
nized child. Afterwards they proposed TO
leave them alone for little while, thus ad.
dressing the father:
s.Arihur, the world has condemned you
as no longer 1T TO live. 1, has been re.
portsd that you said that If you could get
hold Of. your sons you would kill him
We ahall now give you an opportunity to
show the world that you are not the heart
|e. . man you are reported TO be-"
With q lace suffused with tears, he
claspsd him 10 his bosom. exclaiming. "my
darling. my darling. would not injure
hair OF your head"
They remained alone an hour, during
which the most tender manifestations Of
affection were interchanged; the son new
or relaxing his arm from his fathers neck.
The gentleman rs.entered the cell, and
found them calm, the son apparently hav-
Jog exhausted all his means to bring about
the much desired confession n-the father
soothingly promising to do everything that
lay in his power to crafty his unhappy boy.
Their parting was still more affecting.
The father clasping his son to his breast.
k;ssad him repeatedly upon his lips, telling