Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1855-03-15
From the Sidney (O) Empire.
The Execution OF Alfred Artis.

IL is said th hst truth is stranger than felton,,
and 1t is eSempllfed in the trial aud execution
OF this murderer. On the Pain day OF Febru-
ofy, 1854, he was committed to jail charged
with the murder of his daughter. Shortly az.
terwardS he employed three very competent
aLtornies for his defense. AT the April term
nS5ll Of the Court Of Common Pleas, he was
indicted by the Grand Juiy. At the July term
he was tried, without any attornies TO defend
him, he having discharged those he had pre-
viously employed, and obstinatey refusing to
have any person to attend to his case. He
was dogeedly Indifferent during the whole
course of the trial. to everything passing
around hun, appeared 10 pay but little atten
ton to what the witnesses were LeSlifying, and
in no case would he ask them any questions.
The Jury at that term could not agree, eleven
being in favor Of conviction Of murder in the
first degree, and one for murder in the second
degree. ...
At the November term he was again tried;
still refusing to employ counsel and to be de-
Tended by those who volunteered to conduct
his defense. Particular attention was given
by Judge Metcafto the case, and the rights
of the prisoner carefully guarded, that he
might have fair and impartial tTia.
The evidence in the case was clear and nm
questionable, and the jury after a short ab-
Sence from the box returned ,erdict Of "guii:y
OF murder in the frst degree" During the
Ial he preserved a StOlld indifference to all
that was passing around him, and when the
sentence OF death was passed upon him, he
scarcely moved muscle of his counlenance,
and appeared not to be in the least alIrcled
From thd. time until his execution he was
repeatedly visited by ministers of the gospel
aud other pious persons, who desired TO pray
with him and converse on The subject of re-
liglon and his preparation for his approaching
death. But he ObStlnately rejected their kind
offers and replied TO them with not only f.ivo-
louS but vulgar and blssphemOus remarks.
J he morning OF the execution, Derved as he
was by desperation and rage, it required half
dozen me n TO drJe him from his cell, although
he was hand-culied and chained. When in
the hall OF The jail, he paced backward and
iorw I'd the length of his chain, like some
wild animal, making coarse and indecent re-
marks to the by-sianders.
Although appealed 10 by ministers and 9th
ers, who were present, to nave prayers offered
up in his behalf, he ObStinately refused and
| remarked that che wanted no praying done
about him, and he would not converse on
serious subjects. The expression OF his coun.
ienance and the glare OF his eye, were that Of
| q devil in human shape, aud the chain and
handouts were, as be remarked HIMSELF all
that prevented him from clearing out by force
all who were in the Jail.
| At times, when pacing back and forward in
the hall he trembed as if he were struck with
palsy, but remarked that he was not cold, nor
| h,,. ~. =. A. l.
which he had es6ty 'Gsy. X ~
| He looked upon the ScaffOld with perfect
composure, made jeStipg remarks about i. and
the rope, saying lie would break the rope the
| first kick.
He made no confessions and when spoken
10 about his child, said he had done no worse
than other men. From remarks which he
made, il appeared that he expected that the
irGnS wou!d be taken of and his clothes
changed before he was hung and then he
again would make the effort 10 kill the sheriff
and his atteGdsnts.
Although snail man, he was very active
and muscular, Snd il required several ordina-
| ny men 10 handle him.
| He walked upon the scafold without any
assistance. When appealed 10 there to know
whether he had anything 20 say, he remarked
thst If they W uld let him out he would get a
lawyer and have a trial He contended that
he had no tfial in court and said he was not
La 4 tried before the justice.
After the rope was placed around his neck,
aud the cap dawn over his face, he made a
desperate effort TO resist, and it required sew.
sral men to keep him on the scano'd.
At half past eleven O'Clock he was swung
off. A shudder passed over his frame, his
flesh quivered for moment, and the death
struggle was over.
He was so hardened in sin, so Indifferent Ia
bis fate, 20 blsSphemnrs and indecent in his
conversation 10 the very last, that but little
sympathy was excited IN his favor and all who
were present appeared to look on calmly and
unmoved.