Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1856-06-07
Kamm Sentenced.

Our readers will remember that at the Feb
ruarI session of our Court John DIickGel han3m
was tried and convicted of the murder of John
Gcorgc IcjtangrUber, the jury returning a
verdict Of murder in the first degree, and on
application by his counsel for a new trial, the
Court appointed Tuesday last, the first day of
May term for them to show cause why a new
trial should be granted The very able coun-
sci for the defence, MessrS MERcUE and DIE
TRICK, argued the case with great force and
cloquence, relying chiefly on the exception I'll
ed last term, that the Court had no iursdic-
ton to try the cause, as the Act of Assembly
fixed the fourth Tuesday of February for Court
to be held but had not limited the term to
any particular length, nor specified any time
for adjournment, and the Grand Jury did not
find an Indictment till Wednesday The com-
sci failed to convince "His Honor GA this
point, and as sufficient reasons were not pre-
sented, another trial was denied him.
The Sheriff, by order from the Judge, bro't
kAMM into Court, t) receive his sentence He
appeared consi lcrably agitated, however re-
manned calm and composed during the time
occupied by his counsel in their application
for a new trial When the lawyers ceased
speaking, death-like silence pervaded the
Court 70 )m. Although the room was crow led
almost to suftocaton yet so deep was the 81
ence that pin could have been heard to drop
anywhere in the room. 1t was an anxious
moment. Judge Wuuor with a frm voice
stated to tie counsel that they had failed to
Onrinre him tia. any clr)r had occurred in
the trial or that any circumstances had oc-
CURED since the trial, to substantiate their
exc options, and he be we'd Mr.. KANM had
had fair and impartial hearing, and it now
become his painful duty to pronounce the sen
temce Of deQH upon him.
When he (KAMM) was askcd-through an
interpreter-if he had anything to say whv
the sentence of death should not be pronounc-
ed upon him he rose weeping from chair,
and asserted his innocence. He said he kill
ed |ctaagrnbcr, but it was done in self de
fence, and he called on GoD to witness what
he said. While he was speaking he was much
affected-tears rolling down his chcek-his
bosom heavcd deep agonized sobs escaped his
lips. 1t was an awful spectacle to behold
An old gray-haired man, who could have but
a few years more, at farthest, to live-stand-
lug before the scrntinzing gaze of the multi
tude, convicted of the highest crime known to
our laws Notwithstanding the evidence was
50 conclusive against him. and public opinion
so strongly preindced, yet the human heart is
not capable of resisting and remain unmoved
by sympathy for a fellow-beng in his unfortu-
nate position. When the strong man weeps.
and the broad chest hearcs with emotion, the
most stony heart must yield, and drop tear
Of sympathy for suffering humanity.
When he ceased speaking and become COM
posed, Judge WIIMor proceeded to pronounce
the dreadful sentence upon him. He stood
firm and comparatively unmoved, and heard
his awful fate
When the Judge had concluded, the Sheriff
was ordered to take him back to prison.
When he entered his dreary cell, be burst in
to passionate flood of tears, choked by groans
and sobs. The door was closed, and the hea-
w bolts replaced and the unfortunate man
was left to brood over his wretched situation
in solitude Truly q the wav Of the transerrc4-
snr j. hard '-Smhraa D,mmrai