Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1856-11-27
Execution of John Michael Kan1m.

Execution Of John Michael Kanm.
.Eohn Michael Kamm, who was tried and con-
Ected for the murder of J0hn George Ieitdn-
gruber, at the February term of our Court, and
sentenced by Judge WILMoT at May term last,
was executed in the jail yard of this county,
on Friday, the l4th instant H.. "a. .f..-
Till within a few days of the time appoint
ed for his execution, he appeared to be quite
unconcerned, and entertained strong hope of
being pardoned or escaping in some way the
execution to which he was doomed. lie be-
ing unable to speak much English, it was hard
to ascertain the real foundation upon which he
based mis- hopes However. he did entertain
the hope, and it was not till the workmen COM
menced erecting the temporary enclosure and
gallows, that he seemed to realize his true con-
diton - ...
On Thursday, the day before he was execut-
ed, Rev. Mr.. ERLA, German Minister, visit
ed him in his CELL He has visited him several
times before since he has been confined, but
whether heretofore he (kAMM) made any pre-
tensions to Faith, we are not informed. Mr.
ERLA labored earnestly With him during the
day and portion of the night, and on Thurs
day afternoon the Sacrament was administer
ed to him, in the presence of several citizens,
he having declared that he had received full
pardon of his sins, and was not afraid to die.
Mr.. ERLA tried at various times to have him
make confession, but he persisted in his in
nocence, and vehemently declared that he kill
ed Icitangrw5sr in self defence Mr. EEGA
asked him at one time why he did not consider
what the consequences would be before he did
the deed 4? He exclaimed 40, my GoD how
could consider when closely pursued by
man with large knife p He said be had told
the truth but people would not believe him.
but he forgave all freely who had taken part
against him, but thought their conclusions were
wrong-he said he had made his peace with
God, and was prepared and willing to die
He asserted his innocence to the last, and died
without making any further confession
During the forenoon on Friday, his cell was
thronged with idle spectators who gazed upon
him apparently merely to crafty an idle curl
osity In all that crowd that surrounded him.
there was not one friend or relative to drop
sympathizing tear, or to speak word of con-
ISOLATION to the unfortunate man. He was in
strange land among strangers-the subject
| of idle curiosity to curious crowd There
was none beside the Minister, save two or three
who exhibited the least sympathy for him, and
they were comparatively strangers to him.
1t was "a heartsickening scene. An old grey
haired man, who could have but few years
more at the longest to live, weighed down with
shackles, and who, in few brief hours was
doomed to die an Infamous death upon the gal
lows. 1t was scene which would arouse SYM
pathy in the most stony heart, and any man
possessed of spark of feeling for suffering hu-
manity, could not look upon that old man
(even though he be guilty of foul murder
weeping scalding tears, his strong breast con-
yulsed with emotion, and sobs and groans es-
Gaping his lips without being moved with com
passion, and pitying the condition of the un-
fortunate being who had thus strayed from the
path of rectitude and virtue-snned against
the laws Of God and man, and was now about
to forfeit his own life for the highest offense
known to our law-that of taking the life of
a fellow-being
As we said before he was friendIess. He
had no friends in America, except one little
daughter whs is about eleven years of age, who
visited him in his cell for the last time on Thurs
day. Their last parting can be far better i'm
agined than described 1t was of the most af.
fecting character-a and the agony of this scene
was such as parent only can imagine
nv " CiOCh tHc SHcTiU QiSDcrSe0
the crowd in the Court House, and prepara
tons for the execution were made. At two
o'clock P NJ. he entered the cell of the unfortu-
nate man, and informed him that bis time had
come. He became considerably agitated, but
soon became calm and seemed reconciled to his
sad fate. He was led to the galows and a,
ten minutes past two the rope was placed
around his neck the Sheriff then informed
him that he had but ffte en- minutes to live.
when he exclaimed, " Too long, Too long
Too long then dropped upon his knees and
uttered fervent prayer to Heaven. When
he arose he exclaimed "Oh (! Veitaugruber
Oh Veitangrnber ! if you had only stayed
in bed on that fatal morning, | would not be
here | may have committed an error, bat
pray to be forgiven and that men will not be-
lieve me willful murderer"
He was Informed of his time till the last
minute, and when that expired the connecting
link between time and eternity was severed
and John Michael Kamm was suspended between
Heaven and earth cold and lifeless thing
There was not struggle-for moment the
body writhed, then the muscles relaxed, and
all was still
ln thirty minutes he was pronounced dead
by the physicians present-he was then cut
down and placed in coffin, and in the even
ing was inferred in the edge of the woods east
of tnwn Trnly az tho Uav Of &bo tron..-,...