The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1853-07-12
ExFcu rroN OF AuTHUR SPRING.

ExECUTr0 OF AUTHUR SPRING. 80
The Philadelphia Ledger contains fuii
report of the events which transpired during
the last hours of Arthur Spring.
His manner seems to have been unchanged,
and he maintained, up to the period OF ms
death, general Indifference to his rate: his
in his cell with his spiritual advi-
sers, according to the published reports, con-
sist of series of declarations and elaculations'
with little coherency, and nothing to induce
the slightest confidence i'm his sincerity with
regard TO ANYTHING ho said. The only altera-
tions seem to have been, from raving and ir-
reverent exclamations, in the name OF Jesus,
to uncouth and revolving jest respecting his
condition and approaching fate.
The statements of events from near mid
night Of Thursday up TO the hour OF execution
arc mainly included in the following sketch;
PRISONERS CELL, NEAR MIDNIGHT.
Thursday night, June 9.--after religious
services, by the Rev. Messrs. Street and Ken
sill. Spring was asked how he felt? He au-
sw cred 81 never felt better in my lie. L
never murdered any person and expect to
die a Christian [ believe in the Lord Jesus
Christ--and that he alone can forgive my sins
and wash my soul in his blood, and that he a
lone can save me. and never did believe in
anything else. also believe in tho resurrec-
tion of the body, and in judgment to come,
and life everlasting after death; and that eye-
ry man must give an account of every action
Of his life, whether it be good or evil, and in
place of misery for the wicked
To question put to him, with the open
Bible in his hand)-Do you feel that God, for
Christs cake, accepts you and forgives your
he answered, 81 trust he does, and death does
not trouble me-" To question put to him
"Do you, in the fear of God, before whom you
will appear in few hours forgive every one
who has in any way or manner injured you!
he answsred-"I do, and trust He will for
give me as forgive them.'
His last statements was--"Although the boy
brought home the money, he never told me
that he murdered tho women: neither do
| believe he knew anything about the murder,
| for if he had he would have told me. Neither
do believe he had any hand in it. These arc
| TO be considered as my dying words"
lie had previous gone into detail ESQ often
told) about his sons visit to Mrs. Shaw and
Lynch after midnight, and bringing home tho
money. He then, in positive terms, declared
he was i'm bed OH tho night of the murder: and
thought the son Wrought home the money and
put it in his pocket-book, yet he declared that
he believed his son had no hand in the murder
of the women, and that he is entirely clear.
After having got through his statements, he
commenced to joke and laugh. although re-
minded of the necessity of being solemn. He
said, 81 have got a long journey to take in the
morning, but don't think they will get me off
until after dinner, as want to lay in a stock
of provisions" And then he went on to relate
an anccdote in relation TO two men SWIM
ming raco. That one of them took week s
provision on his back, ard when the other saw
this he gave up the bet.
| The prisoner then laughed heartily until re-
minded of his condition. To this he remarked
that ho could not help It, as he was so glad to
| get off. In answer to a remark that every
person in the community believed him guilty.
and that we, his spiritual advisors, believed it
also. he said "you must think am greek,
and thus he went on until we left him, about
midnight, to take his last sleep previously to
awakening in eternity.
After the departure of the Rov Mcssrs
Street and Kensil the chaplain; the Rev. Mr.
Alexander, took their place, and the prisoner,
after some conversation with him, slept for sew.
eral hours. He awoke about fonr o'clock, and
joined in prayer for tho welfare of his son,
and asked Mr.. Alexander to join him in
prayer for his dear Arthur. The religious SER
vices were continued up to o'clock, with oc-
casional intermissions, during which time
Spring asseverated his innocence, and his be-
lief that his son was also clear of the guilt of
blood.
Attorney General Rev. received letter
from Governor Bigler this morning, i'm reply
to question rs tn whether there was any hope
of a reepite The Governor states in the
most emphatic terms, that the condemned
nust give up that hope. that he had deter
inih~l not to exercise any clemency towards
| him.
Inc letter 1'>.n the Governor was read to
him by MIR. Reed, Dr. it failed to produce the
least effect upon him, ana 10 asseverated his
own innocence
| PREPARATION FOR THE EXECUTION.
Tho spectators within the prison numbered
at least four hundred. Without tho walls
there were about two hundred scattered a
round, including largo body Of police.
The preparations for proceeding 10 the pris-
on yard were completed within few minutes
of III o'clock, and tho various official bodies
formed in limo, and awaited the coming of the
prisoner in the courtyard, within tho northern
cato At ii o'clock the prisoner entered the
yard, and the procession commenced its solemn
march.
| THE EXECUTION
| The condemned man was scen to tremblo
when he gazod on tho largo number assembled,
and on catching the first glimpse of tho gal.
lows a nervous trembling was apparent but
still he walked firmly and ascended the steps
boldly.
The reverend gentlemen, and tho Sheriff,
n N - III n. n