Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1853-06-18
ExrcurIoN OF ARTHUR SPRING.


hours Immediately proceeding his execution,
every effort was used by the officers OF the
law, and especially by hisspiIi,ual advisers, 10
induce him to make confession oi his
crimes but all these appeals were in vain.
Up 10 the last moment OF his earthly exist.
ence he exhibited no token of contrlllon, and
refused 10 acknowledge his guilt. He lived
bold, bad, blasphemous wretch, and died
with lie upon his lips.
On Thursday the Hla,ron Of the prison Wis.
tied him in his cell lie received her in his
blandest manner. The lady, with kind ma
ternal feeling, expressed heI qualification at
his having exoneraed his poor boy from the
dreadful charge of killing the women, which
she had the pleasure of reading in the paper.
AT this his grea, power Of self-contro almost
failed him but the working of his counle
nance showed the inward struggle. As
calmly as he could, he said that was the
thing he did not do-he could not clear his
boy. The lady, with tears, exposula,ed
with him on his unwllingness 10 clear his
boy from charge 50 horrible. 40, Arthur,
as mother, ask you why you can not say
your poor stricken child did not do that muir
der. A few more hours will see you standing
before the righteous Judge, TO give account
for all-but poor child, he most remain in
this world of tears and grief; and o, Arthur,
what heavy burden he must bear il you do
not unbind it," But even a weeping woman
could not move him to spare his son, any
more than The accepting icomun who said
"sparc my iJcm
Among those who visited him during the day,
was Mrs. NJ. L. Galley, a lady who was on Wis
i, OF mercy 10 the two young men, Capie and
Emmos, aud who had on former occasion
visited him, requested TO bid him farewell.
She entered his cell, her countenance beam
ing with christian love, the law of kindness
on her lips. In few well chosen words
she bade him farewell! After she retired,
he said 20 wish that dear good woman
| had prayed with me-"
| Two gentlemen, for whom he had sent,
and who had on former occasion belriend-
ed him, also visited him and as his wish 10
see them was TO assist him again in procur-
ing, if possible, Executive clemency, they
were requested 10 assure him of the utter
hopelessness of his case. They did so, and
babe him farewell.
The Rev. John Street and Rev. Mr.. kensil
remained with him until near midnight
Shortly before their departure, after having
gone into a lengthy detail like that so often
told) about his sou going down TO Mrs
Shaw's and Mrs. Lyuch's al midnight, and
bringing home the money, he then in posi-
tive terms, declared he was in bed Oh The
night of The murder; and that although The
son broughthomc The money and put ii in thu
pocke. book, ye, he declared that he be
leves his son had no hand in the murder o
, the woman, and lha: he is entirely clear.
After having 90, through this slaemen,
he then commenced 10 joke aud laugh
Although reminded Of the necessity OF be
ing solemn, he said-"l have got long iouI
ney 10 take in the morning, but | don't thin
they will get me off until after dinner as
, want 10 lay in good stock Of provisions
|
and he then went on 10 relate an anecdoe
relation 10 two men swimming race III;
e one OF them took weeks provisions on b
v back, and when the other saw this, he gay
up the be,;" aud then he would laugh aga
until reminded OF his condition. He said |
n could worship it as he was SO glad to get o
o In answer to a remark that every person
y f, the community believed him guilty, and tn
" his spiritual adviser believed il also, he sa
- -"You must think am Greek !" and th
!. he went on from one thingIto another un
he was left TO take his last sleep previous
/ awakng in eternity.
ct The following statement in reference
y what occurred just prior TO the departure
ID Mr.. Street and Mr.. KensIl, has been iurni'
he ed for publication:
m PRIsoNER's CELL, NEAR MIDNIGHT
IL Thursday night, June 9, 1853
- After religious services, Spring was ASK
~ how he felt. He answered, "a never
w better in my life | never murdered no P
son, and expect 10 die Christian
m ieve in the Lord Jesus Christ, that He all
ar can forgive my sins, and wash my soul in
.c- blood-and that he alone can save me, an
never did believe in any thing else. Q
he believe in the Resurrection of the body, a
ion in judgment to come, and Life everlast
after death, aud that every man must Z
we an account of every action OF his lie, whe
err. er il be good or evil, and in place of mis-
not for the wicked"
;ou To question put 10 him, with The o.
G a Bible in his hand, ''Do you feel that God,
Iau, Christ's sake, accepts you and ioTglves yo'
He answered al trust he does, and de
does no, trouble me-" To "A question pu
IA" him, "Do you, in the fear of God, be-
10 whom you will appear in few hours,
u" give every one who has in any way inju
o", youY" He answered II do and trust
1e' win forgive, as forgive them"
'"o His last sentence was
VI" "Alhough the boy brought home The
H1' ney, he never told me thai he murdered
women; neither do believe he knew Q
ac- thing about the murder; for if he
heir he would have told me. Neither {
! Of believe he had any hand in it. These
anne my dying words" '
and rrs1I 1f REv. john SrREIT,
ID