Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1858-10-02
Tng Exrcur,ov OF W :. CLARK.

THE EXECUTION OF W :. CLARK.
The announcement that the execution Of
Wm }. Clark, WAS TO take place to day
brought quite an unusual crowd of strangers
to town. Early in the morning the excite
mGBI began and continued throughout the day.
The gloomy aspect OF the weather, had q de-
ciled effect on the community. Everybody
looked sad and felt SAD. The ushering of a
human beug into eternity, upon the gaiiows,
Deipg OF rsach q rare occurrence, (the first in
this county,) every one felt anxious to get Il
sight of the criminal. About 9 o'clock, We
repaired to the jail yard, which we found
crowded with men, women and children, all
curiously, examining the gailows on which
was to be executed the unfortunate criminal
AT hals.past o'clock the Sheriff had the Jail
yard cleared, and only admitted the clergy,
physicians, jurors, deputy sherins, and repor-
ters.
The street in front Of tie jail was literally
crowded With human beings. AT the request
Of the prisoner, the hymn Tho day Of judg-
Eaent,' vas sung by some two or three per-
sons present. in q very impressive manner,
after which the Rev. Mr.. Harden, read the
5ist Psalm, Ind made very affecting prayer.
All this DOrning he was constantly under
the spiritual advice Of Rev.'s Yeomsus, Har-
den, Stover Hall, and Oppenheim, OF this
place. lie remained very stole, occasionally
giving assurances that he was ready to meet
his final judge. Rev. j. w. Yeomans, then
engaged in most affecting prayer, commen-
ding the criminal to the tender mercy OF u sln-
pnrdocng God. All, all failed to AFFECT him.
His well stuGied stoicism caused him to re-
main steady and unwayeripg. About Ii
o'clock he was conducted to the place Of ex-
ecutiou, dressed in black suit OF clothes, at
tended by the sheriff, DIR. Simonton, and his
spiritual advisers, Not a tear escaped bis
eyes-hardly muscle moved his frame at
times completely composed, and mostly maln-
tanning stolt Indifference
He assembled the steps Of the gallows with
q lirm unwayeriug tread. After getting conf
posed, he read, his dying declarations, in
which be charged some Of the witnesses with
false testimony and merely re.assertlng his
innocence Of the dreadful crime Of which he
stood charged. A. for Mrs. Twiggs he be.
lieyed her innocent of the crime Of murder
That she had an opportunity to DO SO, be ac-
knowledged but he could not conceive the
motive she would have FOR such an act. The
following were some Of his last words: 81
never purchased poison, TO the best Of ny
knowledge. In my death i 60 where my
heaven will be more glorious" 81 ain iuno
cent, Glory be to Cod" i am going TO en-
Joy LHS Sbhlip!l VI ii1 4sb4St N44-tI Is TAT Dtl
ter" After he had concluded, the Rev. NJ
j. Sloyer, read chapter from the book 0
job, after which the Rev. Mr. Hail, deiiveIe,
an. affecting and solemn prayer and at wllicl
time he showed the Grst signs of penItence.
At the request OF the criminal, the hymn
commencing Rock OF Ages was sung il
which he himself, joued. The Sheriff the
fastened his arms with strap, adjusted hi
cap, aud placing the rope about his uect
took his GOal leave Of the prisoner. III
Sheriff descended. and after proposing ia
question, "Wm. j. CLARK, DO you still live
the prisoner responded in firm voice,
live y and Immediately the dNop fell and h
was launched into eternity. In seven mir
utes from the time the drop fell, heceased
live.
Thus died VIM. John CLARK, with, as thl
community generally believes, talse-hoo
upon his lps.-DanriHe AielEgencer.