Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1858-07-22
Execution of John Chapman.

Last Friday was the day appointed Tor
the execution of John Chapman, of Boone
county. At IL o'clock, M, he was hung
and we are sorry 10 say some two thousand
nersons. male and female, turned out TO wit
nesr the sad and revolving sight. Chapman
was tried and convicted OF the msrder OF
John C. Denham, his brother-in-law, and
neipbbor. The murder was committed In
1855. in Boone county. Chapman fled The
State, and was absent some eighteen
months. Upon his return he was arrested
took a change of venue, and vas tried at
the June Term of the Howard Circuit
Court. The evidence upon which he was
convicted was entirely circumstantial; yet
SO clear, that conviction Of his guilt was
universal.
We were at Fayette the day of the exc
cution and have to thank Sheriff McCrary
for an opportunity to report the remarks oil
Chapman, upon the scaffold.
On the way TO the gallOws, the prisoner
was accompanied by Rev'ds N. Flood and
T. Dimes, relative, and the Sheriff. Upon
emerging from the Jail, he looked calm, and
took his seat in the wagon with composure.
On the way TO The gallOws, he conversed
with his relative, in low, but earnest tone,
arrived there, he babe him good bye, and
mounted the scaffold with steady step
Upon being asked if he desired to make
any remarks, he arose and spoke, in sub
stance, es follows:
al feel it duty 10 say few last words.
bear no malice toward any human being.
have found il hard 10 forgive my enemies,
but thank God, He has enabled me 10 do it.
NV poor voice cannot tell the suffering my
enemies have caused me, but all is forgiven.
have soul TO be saved or lost, but thank
God have hope. bright hope, that all is
well. | never felt il till last night: l then
roreave all, and trust | was forgiven.
came 10 this State alone, and settled in
Boone county; God knows ought not TO
have an enemy in Boone. All has been
said and done b one or two enemies
Chairman had done this and Chapman had
done that, and false reports had been spread
abroad, while everything favorable had
been suppressed. False reports, black as
night, prosecutions beyond mortal concep-
lion, have been heaped upon me. | stand
before YOU and speak in view of judgment;
no use, dear friends, 10 dissemble now.
have been in Jail sixteen months. and suf-
fered much, but God has spoken peace 10 my
soul. My life was threatened by bitter Ell
emies, and they are about TO get it, for no
cause. Hundreds of you have heard and
believed false reports, and you only have
the voice of poor old man against them.
/ leave these false reports and enemies all
behind. | thank God the report, were
false, and forgive my enemies. l have a
dear little son, who is near 10 my heart, but
| have not been permitted 10 see him, al
though l understand he was within four
miles Of town. l hope my son will be
raised up in truth and honesty, and be a
useful man, and that / shall hereafter meet
( him in heaven, where | trust in God am
going. | was snatched away from my vile
and poor little child, and have not been
permitted to see them: this was the work Of
my enemies, but / forgive them all, and
hope 10 meet them in heaven. am poor
old man, about 10 die on false reports, and
( this ought 10 be warning TO all men. Did
| think would ever come 10 this. | set
tied among men who have sworn my lie
away-snatched me from my wife and poor
little son; they swore TO have my lite, and
they are about 10 succeed, but only nv
poor voice says this. This world is a
world of wickedness and trouble, and it is
about time for God 10 make change"
He commenced in low, firm tone Of
voice, but when he came TO speak Of hi.
child, evinced considerable emotion, and
continued in rapid, Disconnected manner
After he had spoken, Rev. Dimes offer.
ed feeling and appropriate prayer, kneel
ing with the prisoner, who gave frequent
audible responses. Mr.. Dimes then asked
him if he had anything further 10 say, oil
desired anything said. He replied in thu
negative; and TO further remarks, expressed
entire confidence in God, and resignation
TO his fate.
Mr.. Flood asked if he still declared him
self innocent? He responded, Yes. HI
also inquired if he felt prepared for his fate
He replied he did; that God was all power
full; he trusted in Him; had forgiven hi
enemies, and hoped to meet them all il
Heaven.
All but the Sheriff having retired from
the scaffold, he announced to the prisone
that the time had arrived and he must exc
cute the law. The prisoner shook hand
with him, and desired to meet him in Hea
ven. After the ropes were adjusted, ant
the cap pulled over his face, he said, "Lort
be Nth me IN This last trial." and wa
launched into eternity.
Throughout the entire time, he evincc'
No visible eoitation excppt when he re