Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1855-01-11
Murder.

Alfred Arts was found guilty of the murder
of his own daughter, aged about twelve years
at the late term of the Common Pleas co urt,
in Shelby county, Ju dge Metcalf presiding. -
The testimony is reported in full in the Shelby
Democrat, Mr.. Hollabaugh editor, and shows
the most horrid and fendish treatment on the
part of Arts, which resulted in the death Of
Emma Arts, bis daughter. Arts refused any
counsel for himself, and would not have any
cross examination of witnesses. He showed
the mos iobstinate and sullen determination to
meet the final account rendered Tor his awful
deeds heedlessly and recklessly refusing any
aid for an investigation further than elected on
the part Of the prosecution. After a carefd
and touching charge to the jury in the able
and decisive language of Judge Metcalf, the
Jury retired, and after due deliberation return
ed verdict OF guilty of murder in the first
degree. The Judge then proceeded to pro-
nounce the sentence in language not only SOL
emnly beautiful, but burninglv impressive snd
eloquent, which must have stirred heart of
stone, though crimsoned with the blood Of a
thousand victims. The sentence reads as fol-
lows.
Convicted, as you have been. Of the high
est crime known to the laws of Ohio, the pen
atty of that crime must be exacted and how
ever revolving it may be to the finer feelings Of
our humanity. the painful duty of pronOunc-
ing the sentence of the law must be performed.
And as that penalty is death, it becomes you
to reflect upon the enormity of your crime, in
order that your guilty soul may be startled by
the bloody spectre. and may be driven to plead
for that mercy which seasons justice at the bar
of Him whois able to save to the uttermoss all
that call upon Him.
| In the economy Of infinite wisdom children
are committed to their parents in order thai
they may receive that tender sare and culture,
which develope the inherent wealth of tie
immortal spirit, and give to the character in
formation, new beauties and new virtues. The
parent to whom is committed this precious pOr,
ton of Gods heritage, is but his instrument
for the accomplishment of that object
But you have disturbed and thwarted the
economy Of nature you have cut the thread
of life before it was half spun out; you have
crushed the flower Of being in the bud you
have betrayed the trust reposed in you yoV
have broken the golden bowl Of life at thu
fountain you have marred the image OF thu
Almighty in the person of fyour child; you hav
sent to final account an immortal soul, com
mitted to your keeping that it might be reare
and fitted for its Masters use; you have prove
traitor to God, and monster to your own hes
and blood. Here you can only give up you
life to the law in expiation of your great crime
How fearful--how terrible your responsibilit
in tn at life which is to come | admonis
YOU to prepare for the dread summons whic
Is to hurry you into the presence Of the Al
: mighty.
Be not for one moment luled 10 sleep, nc
blinded to your eternal interests. bV any hop
of mercy here. As ycu have killed withor
mercy, so without mercy must you die, a
your stony hear yielded not to the plead
ings of your child. so the fountains OF hums
pity are to you dried up forever. at the be