Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1857-09-05

Daring the delivery Of this last speech, the
eceDe was terrible. The voice Of the prisoner
was fearfully loud and mpbatic-absolutely
passionate. 1t could be- heard for long
distance. The spectators shuddered. Mckim
now and then would grasp the rope conbning
his arms and clutch IL frantically. The stamps
of his foot were almost sufficient to bring
down the platform.
"But forgive all. am on this place as
an innocent man, and don't care what the
world says Of me, for l tell you that am not
guilty. tell you, as q true American citi.
zen, that never murdered Samuel Norcross
This is a disgraceful death to die, / well
know, but care not for man.
"lf all the blood was caught in one pool,
Of those who have been legally murdered, as
| am about to be, for crimes which they never
committed, it would be enough to drown oil
those who have sworn falsely against me in
yonder court house. God Almighty bless
them now, although they have been the
means Of getting the rope about my neck.
They are murderers, and not me--tbats so.
Again the voice of the speaker was fear
fully loud.
"Auother witness has said that he took
breakfast with me n Fcks house ut Altoona.
This was proven false in court, and l never
set foot in his house-no, sir, never took
breakfast that morning with gentleman who
lives on the side OF the railroal--an Irishman,
but don't know his name. The house was
painted white. May God bless that witness
too. lie can't be saved unless he repents.
81 am an American citizen, and i won't
haul down my colors am an innocent man.
and ! fear not death. Let me tell you l
never will surrender TO that which is wrong
must either go to heaven or HE'LL have an
idea that | attn going to heaven--l am no
murderer, no According to the evidence l
don't blame you for thinking that ! am the
murderer.
81 am a true American citizen, born in
Chester county, and have lived in q house
on the Philadelphia and Lancaster turnpike,
near the forty-eight mile stone. l do not
stand in the eye Of God as murderer. /
have fought for my country and was wounded.
| have faced the cannon's mouth, and have
carried the American flag and planted it
there. have been dragoon in the United
States service, and have now come to dis
honorable death. Ask the Department at
Washington, and you will find out about me-
l was st one time private-was promoted
was with Gen. Scott, Gen. Taylor, Gen. Jen-
kins, and Col. Harney. aud they all know me,
and know that | am not deserving OF this
death"
The prisoner continued to reterate his in
nocence, and said But let the world blame
me and hang me. | am ready, but mark my
words, you will find the real murderer Of
Norcross yet. My friend, MIR. Hammond,
District Attorney hope you will yet find
out that nm innocent"
He then thanked his counsel for their la
bors. lie said that the jury, according TO
the evidence, were right in convcting him
neither did he blame the judge. The Sheriff
announced that % minutes yet remained, and
Mckim continued. He acknowledged his
kind treatment at the hands Of the Sheriff.,
Deputy Sheriff and Mr. Hammond, and said
he believed that the ministers had saved his
soul from hell. lie touched upon the news
papers, and said that he had been charged
by them with MUST crimes-with the murder
, Of two more men. Neither had he stolen
horses-"never in his life" The devil, he
asserted, got hold of him this morning, and
) tried to make him commit suicide, but he had
, done it without thought. lie was glad now
S that he had not succeeded for he believed IL
p the Bible, which denounced suicides
THE RELIGIOUS SERVICES.
The Reverend gentlemen then spoke, ant
declared that they were not responsible fol
the sentiments Of the prisoner, and that he
: had acted against their advice. Rev. DIR
: Junkn then read the 5th chapter of Paul:
ibpiS'ieS W tHc leouiuuo, ubu u ny "u oebhi
:; ming, "Prepare me, gracious God. to stnnC
d before thy face" The hymn was then sung
y by the culprt and the ministers.
}, Prayer was then offered by Rev. DR.. Jun
kin, the culprit kneelng beside him.
The minister then asked FOR the last time
o "k moving that you are about 10 die, do yol
:. still assert your innocence ?"
81 am innocent"
I The culprit shook hands with the ministers
a the Sheriff adjusted the rope and left tn
i scaiod-the hands were pinoned-.he par
d ties, with the exception Of McKim, all lei
e the scafiold, and the cap was drawn over hi
I face.
h For an instant he stood alone.
" "llave you anything further to sayf' asket
O the Sheriff.
!. With the rope around my neck, say tha
# | am innocent Of the murder of Samuel Nor
II cross. May God bless my wife ard child
and in his care l leave them. Now, MI
j. Sheriff, AIN ready-go ahead"
:. The time was 81 minutes past noon. y
few upheavings OF the chest and all wa
O over. After hanging twenty minutes tn
S physicians pronounced him dead, and he wa
c lowered into his coffin. His body was take
"A MnrcuS IJnoL in ho train on Er;,),y n; oh