The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-01-21
Three Men Executed IN InAians.

From the Lafayette American, Jan. IL
Abraham Rice, Timothy Driskill and David M.
Stocking, to-day suffered death the gallows. that
being the penalty OF the law in this State for the
crime of murder. They were not partners in the
Indeed there is no evidence showing that either
directly responsible for the death of their fell
low but between accessories and principals to the
crime Of murder the law makes no distinction. To
be they have under such circumstances strong
claim for mercy; but in the case Of Rice, Driskil
and Stocking, 1t has avaled them nothing. Evils
sanctioned by community which have been instru-
mental in leading these young men astray had no
weight in expiating the dreadful doom to which they
were consigned.
We have never realized the frailty and littleness
of human nature, never telt to look with contempt
upon our fellow man as we have oday, whilst look
ing out upon the hundreds and thousands of men,
women and children who have filed streets and
lined cur sidewalks, surrounding the Court House
square, hooting, hallo0ing and making all of
disreputable demo nstratons AS we write this,
riot has justcommenced, sticks of wood, brckbats
and everything ut hand are being thrown by the
crowd on the north side, and Marshal Goldman.
within the yard. has just been knocked down and
carried off badly hurt.
At quarter past two the riot seemed to have
been pretty nearly queled. The police found it
necessary to act the aggressive, and sent part
of their force among the crowd Mayor Miller was
on hand with the outside force and after using their
clubs pretty freely for time, conquered peace"
At half-past two the prisoners were preparing for
the gallows. Being properly dressed, they repaired
under the direction Of the Sheriff to the execution
On their arrival there. each of the prisoners
took his position on the scaffold- The Sheriff told
Stocking he could address those assembled il he
chose. He said, in substance that he had not had q
fair trial. He knew nothing OF the burning OF the
warehouse and murder of Rose until Saturday fol-
lowing the affair. So far US the crime of murder
was concerned, he died an innocent man.
Rice made an extended speech. He said:-Cen-
came here in ls4O. am now going to die. ! die
for men who were towards, / was at Fahren-
baughs on the night Of the murder. I'll tell you all
about it. Longley and Clark came to me the day
shot. They said they were going to the ice mouse,
and some other fellows might be there they want
ed to be prepared. Clark went with me, and we
forwards met Longley and CLARK at Haggerty's;
asked them where they were going. They said to
the ice house, and asked me to 90 along: We met
Driskill at the swing bridge. 1t was raining and he
had an umbrella. We all went to the ice house.
The rest went in, but / was too drunk to
climb the ladder. l laid down at the cor
ner OF the house and went to sleep. They
walked me when they came down, and said they We're
going out to Wild Cat they said there were women
there; Driskil wanted to take me back home, but !
insisted on going along; when we got to the other
side of the wide water Longley proposed to change
coats, and said If would act the cripple that he
would have no difficulty getting ir; | agreed; we
went up to the house and knocked; Fahrenbaugh, l
suppose it was, gGtup and opened it, the boys forced
me in; there was low fire; sat down in chair by
~; DaQ no sooner zone so IMAM nearQ plStOl III
appeared to be behind my back next to the door; it
was all over in less than minutes started then;
] asked the boys what it all meant, but got no
swer; we parted this side OF Aliens and came
home. This, gentlemen, is the whole truth. l am
going to die; am no coward but die innocent of
either murder or robbery. forgive my enemies,
and hope that God Almighty will also forgive them;
leave my love to ALL"
had to say. He hoped that nothing would be pub
lsed about him but the truth, for the sake of the
feelings OF his friends. Much had been published
about him that was false. He. too forgave all who
had wronged him, and hoped God would forgive
them also.
Rice then inquired if the Prosecuting Attorney,
Mr.. Naylor, was present, and on being told that he
not he expressed his regret as he had something
to say to him. He said that in his trial be stood
chance. Il hate to speak it," he remarked,
"but think the Prosecutor took unfair advantage
Of me. He went around to all the other prisoners,
to get all the facts he could against me, but
he never came to me to ask me anything. /
know, too, that some of them told him was inno-
cent Why was put on my trial first, then? It's
unfair TO try man right OF. And think juryrnen
ought not to be called from the country They ought
to be men OF education. cOuntryma1 would say
to man on the street, Do you know Abe Rice
Yes, he is o bad man; he once tried to kill me;'
and he allows that to bias his mind. 1t is very hard
to get the right kind of jurymen, | know. There
an so many ignorant men,"
At the request Of Driskill he then made state
ment in regard to conduct in one OF the urymen on
Driskis trial towards his Driskill's) mother, of q
most outrageous character, which for good reasons,
we suppress publishing, but which certainly de-
serves investigation. He concluded by again bid
ding 'good bye to ALL and turning to the Sheriff
said, "Hon. Nj. Sheriff, am ready"
Duing the delivery Of the above remarks, the
speaker gave every evidence of sincerity and truth
fulness Of what he uttered. He could have no mo-
tive in disappearing facts, and we have doubt
but that his story will be generally credited. Clark
and Longley declared that Rice knew where he was
nd w when
city for the Wild Cat on the night of the murder.
Rice, as will he seen, denies this. Considering the
circumstances surrounding each at the time Of their
declarations, there will be little trouble in deciding
which to believe.
The time having arrived for the execution, the
Sheriff asked if all were ready. Rice replied, All
ready" The Sheriff then knocked away the pin and
the three culprits were ushered into eternity.