Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1853-06-14
MISCELLANEOUS.
AFFECTING SCENE IN PRISON.


AFFECTING SCENE IN PRISON.
ilsrpeo be.rssn arthur Spring. the Murderer and his
Son-The Son Eronerated- Touching Incidents
The telegraph already acquainted us with the ac mat
s,og the murderer Phiadephia) has Withdrawn his hor
fibe accusation against his namely that his son. ana
not himself murdered the for which crime he Is
sentenced 10 be hanged The following particulars of the
interview from The Philadelphia Ledger will be read with
interest:
The scene which occupied three four hours, the
most affecting occurred within the walls oi the
prison. and almost dcfes any attempt t" give an adequate
description
The following dialogue between them contains some Of
The mos, affecting portions OF the conversation in which The
son yainy endeavored 10 induce the taher 10 clear him
from the mputaiion of guilt in the murder He said-
"My father! say, father! oh. have pity upon me On
have pity and tell the truth Do o do say am innocent
Oh YOU know am Ny dear my dear father, you know
! am innocenl!'
The father thus appealed TO- groaned aloud and strained
him to his BOSOM with The most intense affection answering
any son. my darling, will tell The truth !"
Eagerly Selling on The expression the followed up
his weeping request,
"Oh nv father have pity upon mN: OH do am limo
cent You know had nothing do with the murder OF the
womenl
agony, answered cautiously and il general terms,
AMY dear dear boy will do whatever can for you
viii die for you"
weeping youth and again in the most aectlonate manner
he said, -,
that could die In your stead For what is life 10 me now
Wv course of misery is already begun The gloomy future
grows darker every day You soon TO de few orei
oairfu hours will close yon earth Y suerngs; but mine
on my father my sufengs, where they TO terminate
am already pointed al and avoided Where shall hide my
head If you die without clearing me from tie dreadful crme'
Oh, how can bear 10 live Fl"
Then In an agony OF grief he tendery uphraided him
"Oh my father my father you have PITY you have no
pity. You see bowed down with grief, and you will
make II deeper and darker, by Withholding the truth Oh,
tell truth, and die happy Now, while clasp you in
my let me bring you 10 God and ash forgiveness ana
die 10 peace Oh, how you die without telling the
TRUTH"
To all these touching appeals the deeply agitaed father
returned Indirect eyasve as In the storm Of
grief he took counsel in his gloomy SOUL as to answer
not grleve his son, 10 commit himself Their excited
feelings becoming somewhat can' they could speak with
more aomposure The father gently uporalded the son. as
being the instrumental cause oi his convic,lon This
brought passion Of grief and he eonvusvey sobbed
outs
oh my father wha. could do, when compelled TO ,est
fy; had 10 speak the truth forgive me, forgive me- dear
father my hear. with while my lips spoke the pain
full truth forgive mt"
II do forgive you my darling but Burns Raglan"
10 yes my dear father all; forgive ALL and make your
peace with Heaven"
weeping parent hgonzed child Afterwards they
posed leave them alone Tor te while, thus addressing
the father
"Arhur the world has condemned you longer fiji 10
live. has been reported that you ead, that if could
get hold Of your son, you would kill him. We shall now
give you opportunity show the world that not
the hearess you reported 10 be-
Win face suHused with tears casped him his DO
som, excaming, my darling, my daring would not In
lure hair Of your head
They remained alone M hour during which the
der manifestations of affection interchange; the son
never relaxing from his faners neck The gentle
men re the cell and found them cam the son appa
renty having exhausted all his means 10 bring about the
much desired confession Tue father soothng promising
do everything that lay in his power to crafty his unhappy
boy
Their parting was still affecting. The father clasp
ing his breast kissed him repeatedly his lips
telling him transfer them HE daughcrs when next he
saw them and 6nay giving him fond kiss for himself
Their eyes were streaming eas and sobs Of be-
tokened The pain mutually felt at that awful OF
separation TO meet this slide the grave ne son re.
peatedy left his and alter reaching the door OF the
cell would rush back again 10 his fathers arms TO take
another embrace The poor boy was completely overpow
by strength OF his emotions and the groans of
push that from his surcharged BOSOM painful 10
listen and continued for along time after the interview
had closed
The con has obtained order from Mr. Reed for the re-
mains of his father after execution and he has undertaken
their inermen In accordance with his expressed wishes
Young Arthur lief, the city Monday night Uithou,
having obtained from his father the wished for acknowledge
mso Of Innocence hoaqh having well founded convc-
1ion evnced by his parent that 10 his last
moments he would do him Jasce he carried with him a
lock of his fathers hair of during the first Interview
desiring that should be divided among his three daughters
at the Washington Orphan Asylum.
The Rev. Messrs Street and kcnsil had another long in
teview with him. yesterday They talked with him and
deavored to cheer him. bu, mpoed for another interview
with his son. On finding this impossible he wrung his
hands in agony IL then that be appealed 10 again
Confess and al last his heart melted within hmhe did
confess and admitted ha his entirely guiesS Of
xhs foul murders of Mrs Shan and Mrs. Lynch
The scaod will probably erected to-day upon the spot
usually appropriated 10 it, at the of The southern wing
OF tn County Prison The execution will take place about
aoon On Friday The admission of vsers condemn
ed man hss been positively prohibited and he
.he attendance of his religious advisers and officers Of
the prison.
pH1lApslrHA June 9-Arhur Spring, who is be exc
cuted Tomorrow In the most dreadful of mind.
Yesterday retracted all that he had said and signed the
previous exonerane HE and today he has oken
ano.her and rea1bfms N" ene nncrnce Of his sop
No confession of his crimes has yet been obeIned op! the
Rev essrs. Street and Kensi will pass the night with him.
and he has promised 10 confess erythne 10 them
EXECUTION OF ARTHUR SPRING
PHILADELPHIA, JUNE l0.-Arthur Spring was executed
to-day. He died protesting his innocence
mode of ventilation was yesterday tried on the
Naugatuck rail- road with decided The plan that
OF essrs Atwood Watebury-the latter an ofucer OF
1he Road ts general outline is his The passenger cars
OF train are all thrown into long saloon by means OF
flexible cloth or rubber PLATFORM and the windows being
kept closed and the train opened The strong current
of air received just over the engine through pipe or bag as
wide The ran and twelve inches Deep when
passes top Of the from, along through all
the cars and the passenger assures that
ness and freshness delightful while the perfect facility and
safety of passing end end Of the sensiby
Glanced The pleasure of the journey.-[N. Y. Tribune.
NEW YORK, June l0.-Ihe British Commissioners to
the Worlds Fair, including Earl Esmore, arrived here
day.
Cossoap NJ H. June ga DILL he's been introduced into
the Legislature of New Hampshire 10 prevent the nanu!ac
fure vi intoxicating liquors.