Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-02-17
EXECUTION OF FIFE CHARLOTTE JONES
From fhe T'1tls5urgA Chronicle.

From The I'atts5xrgl. Chronicle.
On the 18th February, Charlotte Jones and
Henry Fife paid the extreme penalty which
the law imposes for the crime of murder
The curtain has at length dropped npon the
last scene of the bloody tragedy which has for
so long time excited the horror, engaged the
interests, or moved the sympathies of all
classes of the community. ..Whoso sheddeth
mans blood, by man shall his blood be shed,'
is the scripture authority on which capital pun
ishment is based, and terrible and painful as
is the duty at times of carrying out the law
decision. yet all admit that sometimes be-
comes necessary for the sake of its appalling
example, and for the prevention of those
bloody crimes at which all mankind shuddcrs.
The crime for which Henry Fife and Charlotte
Jones paid the death penalty to day. was one
OF the most atrocious ever committed. George
Wilson. one Of the parties murdered, was an
old man whose hair had been silvered with age,
and who eked out a living by making coal
boat pins for such required them in the
neighborhood. His sister, the other victim,
was but a few years his junior. and both oc-
cupied the same house-a log cabin, situated
in the vicinity of Mckeesport. and distant
from the city some fourteen miles. On the
night Of the thirteenth OF April last, Fife and
Charlotte visited their humble abode, and,
with view of obtaining possession Of sum
of money which the latter knew the old man
had laid aside, butchered them both in the
most shocking manner. The scene on the
scaiiold was painful beyond comprehension,
and drew tears from many OF the spectators.
Charlotte and Fife were attended, the first by
the Rev. J. G. Brown, and the latter by the
Revs. Mr.. Boil and DIR. Williamson. They had
religious services in the cell till within few
minutes before their removal to the scaffold.
Shortly before two O'Clock they left their cell,
and, linking arms. procession was formed,
which entered the jail yard
FIFE's DYING DECLARATION.
GESTLEMEN-In a few short moments OF
time | shall have answered with my life for the
terrible crime l have committed. and which
have already freely confessed. 1t must not be
supposed from what las been published in the
newspapers here from time 10 time since my
arrest that | am Indifferent careless about
the awful fate | am now to suffer, nor must it
be supposed that have suffered no compunc-
tion Of conscience for the deed that has
| brought NE TO fe!on's death. Oh, no.
have already undergone more torture than a
| thousand deaths, and oh how often L have
| wished | could restore George Wilson and his
sister back to life. Vain thought. Madden
ed with thirst for gold, and stimulated by
| drink, gave them the fatal blow that robbed
| them OF life and sent their souls, without
| warning TO the bar of God. Ny fervent prayer
now is and long has becn, that they have been
made happy by my wickedness, and that their
| immortal souls are among the redeemed of
| Christ, and | pray Almighty God for his par
don, and that may be permitted 20 hope that
| in the world of spirits, | may be there, and
| then beg them TO be forgiven. During my
| confinement l have suffered more in mind J
| thousand times for the crime l have commit
ted ti-an the fear of this death that is so rap
| idly approaching. Here is the fatal rope, the
| scaflold, and the hand that is to send my soul
| into eternity but do not fear have made
my peace with all the world, and | trust in
God. And now, before these witnesses, and
| in the presence of Almighty God, before
whom in Il moment Of time expect to appear.
and with the last breath that | am permitted
| to breathe on earth, with full knowledge OF
| my awful situation and my accountability,
| solemnly protest and declare that Monroe
Stewart is entirely innocent of the murder OF
| George " Wiison and his sister. The deed was
planned and perpetrated hy myself and Char
lOtte Jones, without other human being tC
plan, aid or assist rs. For our crime he ha!
suffered u long Imprisonment, bit pray Goo
that the last words of dying man, with III
hope or motive to declare anything but tht
truth, while the just punishment OF God woull
be visited by taIsehood, will be taken and re
store him to that liberty OF which he La
been so long deprived In whatever was hon
est he was my friend, hnt partner of min
in crime. He has suffered much for my Grim
and ! beg -his forgiveness. Monroe Stewart i
innocent. May God have mercy on my soul.
ment expressing her penitence tor her crimes
and corroborhting Flies statements in ever
particular. She also protests the innocensc o
Monroe Stewart, and says her charges agans
him were induced by hatred of him inspires
by the fear that he was striving to get Fife t
leave her
Immediately after Hr. Williamson cease
reading, the Rev. Mr.. Bell read chapter from
the Bible and offered mp u prayer in whic
, the prisoners joined. Fife, during this tryint
scene, maintained the most astonishing com
poSure, and when the time came, actually ad
: justcd the rope around his neck and stampe
on the platform, as if 10 say he was prepare
to meet his fate. Charlotte, on the other han
seemed utterly broken down and bewildered
She cried bitterly, and every now and then ut
tered Incohereut sentences-now stating tia
she desired to die, and again declared that sh
WAS afraid OF death and wished to live. Fift
} seeing her agony of soul and utter prostratior
put his arm around her, and cndeavored i
every way to console and cheer her. Sue
S was the state OF mind of both, and such thei
condition, when it was announced that thei
! hour had arrived, and that they must row pre-
2 pare for execution.
G Everything was now ready for the compile
l tion OF the final act of the bloody tragedy, i
, which the conyicts had PLAYED such terribl
0 part. The ropes had been adjusted aroun
the necks of the victims, and but few me
Z mentS were to elapse ere their souls would b
! ushered into eternity. Still FIte's coolnes
forsook him not He called such around hin
as he knew on the scafioid, and shook thel
, affectionately by the hands. He then dcclal
ed that, s.with The help Of God. he would di
! | like man, and with a firm voice in whic
the slightest trcmor was not discernable. c,
| claimed ''Remember, die game.'' He the
| turned to his companion in guilt, who at th
r | time was scarcely conscious, and putting h
f arm around her, kissed her. Both then d,
| ctarp1 Sol lx- Il .Is.