The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1858-02-09

death. All felt tho solemnily of the hour
al would gladly have had it otherwise, if
justice could have been satisfied through
any other channel. But all felt that this
was the only resort. During tho forepart
Of the day he was visited by two clergy
men, who cndeavorcd 10 point to Him who
holds the dcstinies Of man in His keeping,
and who is free TO forgive all, oven to the
most guilty. A procession Of over 400
horses was formed with the prisoner and
clergymen in advance, when, in good or
der and silence, the procession moved to
Diamond Lake Hill. about four miles south
cast from this village.
They Prrivcd nj tho place OF execution
about o'clock. After some preliminary
arrangements, the wagon containing the
prisoner and his coffin was driven under an
oak tree from branch in which the fatal
rope dangled. He seemed calm and col
lected--indeed, he cvinced through tho
whole Of the terrible sccno the utmost
sang fold and self possession. The prepa-
ration being completed, tho prisoner rose
and addressed the crowd. Tho following
is an abstract Of his remarks, for report
of which we arc indebted to our friend, A.
D. Miller, Esq;
81 am happy to sec such crowd around
me, and hope al young men will take q
warning from me. My old father and
mother advised inc to do good have
never committed murder. They say that
/ killed man and a woman in Canada,
and that burnt man to make him tell
where his money was. 1t is false. The
first crime committed was in New York
then stole, and hurt man, which long
troubled me; but he got well. / have
stolen many times and have taken many
horses. Mr.. Braden has my confession,
which l am willing you all should sec.
am sorry TO be here, but it might as we'll
bo my lot MS anothcrs. | say to young
men, keep from houses Of ll.fame, and
instead Of playing cards, read your Bible.
The first deviation is tho worst; the pro.
gression is then to robbery, and finally to
murder No man, think, has any hard
feelings towards me, and have had feel
ings towards none. The citizens Of Lyon
ier havo treated me kindly. II is my un-
happy portion that my doom should be q
warning TO all young men, and am glad
to sec so many here. 1t is said that fear
neither God, man or the devil. do fear
God. 1t is but few years since com.
mcnced this course. broke Jail in Cana
da to release my brother. l was discover
ed, and had to flee my country, and since
hare fallen into bad ways. | was forced
by ci cumsianecs into the society Of bad
nacn and hence have pu sued bad course.
There arc quite number of people who
think the Committee is mistaken in what
they do. say they arc not. They aso
justified, and hope that they will sue
cecd in their undertaking, and root out all
tho thicving, coming, counterciting and
horse stealing. Many present nre proba.
bly, "a bad rs ms, but hope they will all
especially tho young men, take warning
10y nc. My only source is God. trust
to Him for mercy. trust in the Lord"
He then continued for q few minutes to ut
ter disiointed remarks, partly rcpcttions of
the above, and partly wild appeals TO God
to have mercy on his poor soul. After
touching prayer by Rev. Mr.. Vert, he
babe farewell to Mcssrs Wort, Braden and
to the spectators. He WAS then pinioncd,
and walked firmly on to the drop, which
consisted of plank running from the
back end Of the wagon, supported at the
oIhor end by two props, to each Of which
was attached n rope, and at given sig.
nal these props wcrc drawn from under,
and the wrctchcd man was launched into
eternity. His neck was not broken, con-
sequcntly his death was long and painful,
though he did not struggle much. After
hanging half an hour life was extinct. He
was then cut down, placed in coffin and
: carried TO Ligonicr, subject TO the disposal
of his friends. His very last words were
Little did think should ever come
10 this Let this be II warning TO all young
men. 'Tis hard, It's bard, but it may be
just trust the Lord will have mercy
npon my soul"