The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-08-26
EXECUTION OF D, s.. NIcKIM,.
Attempted Suicide--Lopg speech made by
F-T the & uiprit. e.t ~

| Altoona, iE This Stale, several months since
was executed at 20 minutes before clock
this afternoon. He made long speech on
the scafold, occupying nearly Two hours, in
which he gave sketch of his career 'hrou Oh
life, and alluded ID the murder, and attempt.
ed 10 show that'it was not probable that he
did it. For some time past he lost lhe usual
chez rfulness that he manifested in conversa.
lion and became rather melancholy.
The prisoner slept during the greater por-
lion of the night. In the morning he opened
vein IN his wrist, but was timely discovered.
He then ale hearty breakfast. la fit of
passion he destroyed The manuscript speech
he intended making on the scaaold.
AIS O'Clock he commenced devotional SER
vices, which were continued until he was
brought out of the Jail.
Rev. Messrs Jenkin and Mclean and the
officers, accompanied him 10 the scaffold
On The scafold he spoke 70. an hour and
seven minutes, the prisoner protesting his in
nocence 10 the last His closing words were,
81 leave my poor mother, wife and child 10
the care OF heaven ~ And then turning 10 The
Sheriff, directed him TO go ahead as soon as
he pleased. Hespoke..yery loud and distinct,
and classed many of the Witnesses al the trial
as liars. But he said he forgaye ali, and
believed he was going 10 heaven and 10 Je-
sus.
The drop fell a, 80 minutes pas, IL O'Clock,
the unfortunate man dying without slrug-
gle. ....... ......... .
In addition 10 the above, the Bulletin has
despatch giving the following particulars :
Last night, people from distance came
into the town and SO great was the rush that
beds could not be procured at the hotels, and
many were compelled 10 lie upon floors, Ia
bles and chairs. ..r..r.. b..
This morning stream of humanity COM
menced pouring into town al a very early
hour, aud nothing was talked about or thought
of but the condemned and his approaching
end.
The Sheriff was besei yesterday and this
morning, by, persons who were anxious to
get within lbe prison walls TO witness the last
dread scene but very few out Of the i'm
mense throng were gratliec in their wish 10
be allowed 10 enter the enclosure, and The
disappointed multitude had 10 rest contepted
with gazing at The prison walls or in picking
up such scraps of information from within
doors as was reialed outside.
All sorts of rumors were in circulation du-
ring the .nornng, and those who went out of
the prison doors during the forenoon were
eagerly questioned by the crowd, TO know
what the condemned was saying aud doing,
and above all 10 ascertain whether he had
made any confession.
McKim slept soundly during greater por.
tion of last night. AT 6 o'clock this morning
he attempted 10 commit suicide by opening
a vein in his wrist with piece OF glass. The
blood flowed freely for while, but it was
disc overed in time to prevent serious results,
and the wound was imm edialely bound up.
A close watch was then set over the con.
demned wretch 10 prevent second attempt
of the same kind. Neither the awful position
of the condemned, his attempted suicide, nor
his being foiled in the attempt 10 destroy him.
self, affected his appetite, for he ate hearty
breakfast
Great calculations were made on The man
uscript statement which the condemned had
prepared for the purpose of reading under
The gallows, aud many thought in it would
be found an admission of his guilt, but this
expectation was disappointed this morning
when it was announced thai Mckim had de-
sroyed The paper he had prepared. 1t seems
that, in fit OF rage, he tore the "slatemsnl"
10 pieces.
The report OF The attempted suicide OF The
murderer, and of his having torn The much
talked of paper 10 pieces, created an immense
sensation out OF doors, and the excitement
went up 10 fever heat. 49, o.
AT Is minutes past 10 o'clock the con-
demed man was led out of the prison 10 the
Gallows. After mounting the scafold, Nc
Kim proceeded 10 address the assembled
crowd, and be spoke for one hour and min.
utes. He denied his guilt mos, vehementy,
ard said that he declared before God, and
with his last breath, that he died an innocent
man.
McKim said that he had never either COM
mitled murder nor stole money, or anything
else. He also SAID that Atticks Flecks and
another witness had sworn away his life OH
his trial.
AT 25 minutes before o'clock Sheriff Fort
pulled the drop, and the wreiched criminal
was launched into eternity, declaring his IN
noceioe upth the last moment "--
There were three military companies on duty
around the jail, and Notwithstanding The I'M
mense crowds in the Town, everything passed
off quietly.
After the body iscut down it will be hand
ed overto the relatives of the malefaetor, who
have had prepared handsome coffin for its
reception.
1t will be remembered that the crime for
which McKim has suffered the extreme pen.
atty of the law, was the murder, in January
last, of young man named Samuel Town .
send Norcioss, formerly of East Lexington,
Mass. Norcross had gone from his home 10
the West ia the capacity OF a music teacher