New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-01-09
EXECUTION OF FREDERICK MILLER
At CUMBERLAND, MD.
From The Baltimore Sun.

~ October near Cumberland paid the penalty of his
crime at that place Friday last between II and
o'clock Below will be found account Of his de-
neanor durng the day and night previous TO this finale
OF the terrible tragedy of which he was the author
In accordance with promise previously made oy
him ~ his spiritual adviser the Rev. Mr.. Maer, that
during the last three days of bis life he would make
conf Sson all was excitement throughout thursday
among the citizens in reference to this matter, anu
MANY vague reports circulated; but at an cary
hour in the morning he was VISITED by hat gentleman
IN receive the confession when he declared with much
feeling that he was a martyr and had no confession OF
| guilt to make Throughout the day he was visited by
| a number of gentlemen, who vanly endeayored 20
uerSuade him to confess what al believed TO De true,
and TO give the particulars attending the two murders.
In the evening, through the courtesy of the Sheriff
DR.. John Everett, were permitted TO De present az
a final interview between him and the doomed man, IN
reference to the mounful duty devoying upon him the
following dav he having determined alone TO otciate
directly in the hanging. The interview was conducted
through Mr.. Wesel as interpreter Muller conVerslnS
| entirely in German.
| he had any requests to make in connection with the
execution be replied that he desired TO be early at the
on lows and also desired to address the spectators
lie was also urgent that his body should be properly
Inferred and hoped the Sheriff would not permit the
physcians to obtain possession OF it for dissection To
all these requests the Sheriff assured him he would pay
strict attention and have them duly observed This
assurance seemed TO make him perfectly easy IN his
mind, a. be then entered INTO Cheerful conversation
| with the translator. ,
Quilt and in response he continued emphatically 10
assert his innocence. He said he had read the pamph-
let purpoting to be- his confession and IN reference
thereto he exhibited much passion, declaring It to be,
for part, incorrect. great portion OF 1t ne had
| erased with pencil, and the balance he stated
was only in part conect-admttng the portion rela-
tive to the robbery of the office of Dr. Hade but de-
/ nvng all relative TO the two murders.
He stated that he had requested the Rev. Dr. Maier
hiz spiritual adviser, to administer the sacrament to
him on W ednesday last but that he declined doing 80,
stating 10 him that under the circumstances, he would
not feel justified in doing he fully believed him
! guilty. and could not, therefore, grant the request
! except subsequent to a confession on his part lie
exhibited rather hostile feelings TO the reverend gentle
| man for DENYING this requeS, and declared that he
would take il himself unaided, if they would furnish
| him the necessary materials
| During the day he had been freely conversng with
| Mr. John Calan the Deputy Sheriff, and Mr.. VIM.
McGtigan. the Jaor, and in repyto an nterrogatory
| Of the former to whether there was any favor he
could grant him previous to the fatal hour replied that
there was in particular though in quite jOcose
manner SAID that " they would permit 1t he would
| like to amu-e hmselfat the galOws by snow-baling
| the spectators.
| He has al times shown some signs of cOntrition
though for the most part he has talked in the above
| ocular manner in connection with the execution. Dur
| ing n conversation to-day with the above-named gen.
tlemen he stated that if he did not deserve the
punishment awaiting him for the crime charged he
| had previously committed sufficient crimes to render
| the punishment n lust In fact, be has in sub
| stance several times admitted his guilt
| T.
with him this forenoon appealed to him confess hs
guilt urging that il would be a satisfaction to the
Court and Jury who convicted him, as well as to the
Sheriff, who was compelled to execute him. To this
be replied that upon the scafod he would answer, if
| the question was put by either himself Sheriff Ey-
erett but that be would insult any other party who
should attempt to interogate him. and also that he
| had not yet determined how he should answer the
| question.
He appeared perfectly calm up to the close of this
interim, o'clock, and during the time smoked with
| much gustO, talked freely and fuently, and was
apparently us cheerful though arranging for tour
| of anticipated pleasure.
He requested the jaer to furnish him with writing
materials stating that he desired to write something
during the night, and the hope INDUCED that he
would have written out full confession of the terrible
| tragedy of which all here believe him the author
At ~ O'Clock on Thursday night every hotel m the
place filed while each arriving train from either
direction added to the vast cOncourse Throughout the
whole night citizens of the surrounding country were
constantly arriving, i'll seghs, horseback and every
possible means of conveyance, the excitement prevail
ing in reference TO the anticipated terrible of the
succeeding day being greater than attended II
similar affair III that section.
FRIDAY MORNING.
With a bright and piercing northeast wind
the day ushered in, and at an early hour the
streets were lined with the citizens, those who had
arrived during the previous day and night, well
those constantly arriving there being about o'clock
a long procession of country sleds, each containing
whole family, driven into town, while seighs innume-
rabe dashed through the already-crowded thorough
fares. Repairing to the Jail at o'clock this morning.
foond the prisoner washing and dressing himself,
with perfectly stOlcal calmne>s upon his features.
From the officers We learned that up TO clock the pre-
vOus night be had talked necessarily, when in accord
ance with their suggestions, he fixed himself upon his
couch for sleep, but very restless from that time
until daylight sleeping but little. He then and
requested that bis breakfast might BE- prepared, and
Of which be patOOk usual. During the night he had
called for bread and water, and upon it, being fur
n-hed him read the sacramental service of the Luz
thean Church, partakng of these embems with much
apparent feryor. He also wrote note aud handed it
TO the ailor, which. however, nothing than
reateration of bis innocence.
His spiritual adviser, the Rev. Mr.. Maier accom-
panied by the Rev. Mr.. GLENN, entered his cell be-
tween and clock, when the former again appealed
to him O confess hls crimes, and prepare himself for
the awful doom awaiting him. When told by him that
all believed hin. guilty, and attributed his denial only
TO stubhonneSs and hardened feelings, he became
what excited and Denounced the Jurors and wit
:, charging them with perjury. They could not,
he said, destroy his soul, and that when they were
called hence, they would learn the injuries they had
done lin, be felt assured he would be received by
his Mnkerin heaven, while they would find an mpass-
able gulf between them, they would all be doomed
TO everlasting punishment for the injustice they
had done him. In this strain he continued for some
time until his adviser discovered end to all hopes of
confession, when he engaged in fervent prayer in
behalf Of the doomed man, durng which be Miller
showed that bis feelings had been somewhat wrought
upon az IL close be delivered lengthy aud fervent
appeal 10 tie Throne OF Grace during which be PRAYED
earnestly for the bereaved widow and children of one
hi, victims, asserting that when they met him in the
Text word they would do him the Justice 20 acquit him.
a. they would then learn who the murderer ofheir
dearest friend.
In reply 70 a question put by relative Of Dr.
H., through the Rev. Mr. Maier, as to any know
ledge Of the murder, he declared be possessed none
that he did rob his office but that his hands
were free from bis hlood and TIA, h.. b,d ,r,,-aJ