New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-08-22
THE EXECUTION OF McKIM.
Itch 10 The PHILADELPHIA Bulletin.

Special Dispatch to The Philadelphia Bulletin.
HoILIDAYsBURGH, Friday, Aug. 81, 1857.
This is the day set apart by the Executive for tho
execution of David Strnger McKm, convicted May
last of the murder Of Samuel T. Norcross Last night
peope from distance came into the town, and
great was the rush that beds could not be procured at
the hotels and many compelled to lie upon aocrs,
tables and chairs.
This morning a stream of humanity commenced
pouring into the town at very early hour, and moth
ing was talked about thought of but the condemned
and his approaching end. Business is almost entirely
suspended here.
The Sheriff was beset yesterday and this morning
by persons who were anxious to get within the prison
walls to witness the last dread scene but very few
out of the immense thropg gratfed in their wish
TO be allowed 10 enter the nc0sure, and the dsap-
pointed multitude had to rest contened with gazing at
the prison walls or in picking up such scraps of ntcr'
nation from witbin-doOrs were retailed outside.
All sorts Of rumors were in circulation during the
morning and those who went out Of the prison dson
during the forenoon were eagerly questioned by the
crow d 10 know what the condemned was saying snd
doing. and above all, to ascertain whether DO had
made any confession.
night. At O'Clock this morning. he attempted 70
commit suicide by opening vein in his wrist with
niece of glass The blood flowed freely for whie
Int Il was discovered in time ~ prevent serious re-
snlts and the wound Immediately bound up.
close watch was then sci over the condemned wrena
TO prevent second attempt OF the same kind.
Neither the awful position OF the condemned, his a.
tmpted suicide nor his being oiIed in the attempt 10
destroy himself, affected his appetite, for hs ate
hearty breakfast.
Great calculations were made on the manuscript
tate which the condemned had prepared Tor tho
purpose Of reading under the gallows, and maay
thought that in it would be found admission a his
guilt but this expectation was disappointed ths nom.
Ing when it was announced that McKim had destroyed
the paper he had prepared Ii seems that in q BIT d
rage he tore the Statement to pieces.
The report of the attempted suicide of the urderes,
and Of his having torn the much talked OF paper 70
pieces created immense sensation out Of doors, and
the excitement went up to fever heat.
At l04 o'clock the condemned man was led out Of
the prison to the gallows After mounting the scat
and he spoke for one hour and five minutes. lie de-
MED his guilt most vehemently and said that he Dc.
cared before God and with his last breath that he Died
McKim said that he had never either committed
murder stolen money or anything else. De sbo
said that Atcks Feck and another witness had swors
away his life on his trial.
AZ 10 IS o'clock, Sheriff Fort pulled the drop, ssd
the wretched CRIMINAL was launches into eternity,
declaring his innocence until the last moment.
There were three military companies on duty around
the jail. and notwithstanding ne immense crowds b
the town, everything passed Of quietly.
After the body is cut down, it will be handed over
to the relatives of the malefactor who have had pro-
pared q handsome coffin for its reception.
1t will be remembered that the crime for which Nc
Kim has suffered the extreme penalty of the law, was
the murder, in January last Of young man names
Samuel T.. Norcross, formerly of East Lexngos,
Massachusetts,. Norcross had gone from his home
TO 1.-The West in the capacity Of a music teachef'
After residing there time he ret armed 10 Messs-
cbusets and borrowed 81 0O0 from bis sisters. Ihs
money be returned with to the West, and inveser
In lands in Dubuque, Iowa, and Dunleith, Hlinon'
property rose 30 rapidly in value that he c0mmenc
sfuIy of medicine with DR. BuYrhQld reiyB
upon the interest of his money to support NM.
the mean time, abscess formed IN his en s,ae' w
became painful, and be determined 10 aY.un Man,
McKim whose acquaI lance he had formed, vo1 ni
t.ered 10 accompany him. Norcross o6ta,oed hn
money in McKims presence-the TWO started 10 con-
many on the iourneJ-McKim treated Norcross win
great kindness until he had won his klnchess ana ~
sten and finally killed and robbed hin on the NOM
mo Of the 10th Of January last on the Pennsyvans
Railroad track, three miles west OF Altoona, wheN
the victim was found in dying condition by some a.
borers On the morning, probably Two Dours s0
the commission OF the deed. -,
Tbc murderer napae ed 10 evade the officers OF tho
law for several weeks after the commission oi tns
crime, and be was finally captured A. wa" W ,ou"
His trial commenced at Holldaysburg the last q
April. and. although the commission OF the hendN
crime was not directly proven, poweriui cham o. M
| cumstantial evidence wa lipked toeetuer Iae ~
monwealth proved conclusIvely the departure
MoKim from Dunleth with Horcroes, apparenW
bavirg charge OF him at the Eagle Tavern, m rJE
burph and the story he told the landlord abeuf MOI
cross insanity; the departure from the bosel 10 cS%
papy: the testimony of railroad employee 70 se re-
Two men get off the tron at Altoona, and 90 ~
track The morning u the marcier; the
ance Of McKim in Philadelphia to claim es o.sses
his subsequent appearance in PottsyHe WIZ "a ssh
women his reckless squaDaefpg Ct money sro, "a.
stquent disappearance when susRsioh va, =, sces.
and number Of o.Ser very suspicious Nv .snse
\ Against all these tremendous soeus tn ,iaoor.
offered no testimony, except some entirely saarc.
tant negative evidence, and the rosa. 81, sooyc-
ton Of murder in the fret degree. Aver 100 by
ton, ne made al unsuccessful atemp. !. s.rrr A