The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-07-06
BELyIDERE JAIL, June IS, 1850.
Admit the bearer
To witness the execution Of
JACOB s. HARDEN.
VIM SWFFNY Sheriff


The apparent mistake in the date Is accounted for by
the fact that Governor Oden granted respite Harden
until 10 morrow July 9Th. Harden says that he Ia
perfectly ready TO die and could not wish 10 have the
ecuton further postponed.
HARDES's CHARACTER AND DEPoRrNENr.
Since his conviction Harden's department has been
most extraordinary. In every respect he 10 be
what his friends call mysterious man" No matter
who visits him, what distress and anguish exhibited
says that be perfectly prepared TO die, and inquiries Of
the ministers who visit him how strong their faith Is
be has been engaged in writing his .utobocraphv in
clnding confession Of the crime Of which he convict
ed His confession win probably be published in book
form. He gives full details Of his crime, and the
only he offers for II is that, although his wife
was fine woman, he did not like her. He first gave
hrd rpnkled poison upon the apple and his wife
made some remark about the gritty" taste Of the frut
ginger ginger tea The statement Of Heck the Eas-
ton apothecary in regard 70 Harden having purchased
poison there, was strictly true Harden says that
he did not 60 TO Easton 10 purchase arsenic, but
that having arrived there he bought large quantity
not only at Hecks, but also at another druggists He
also purchased vial Of audanum and all Of this poison
he gave his wife. He says he had adequate idea Of
the crime he committing and he did not fully
s s u,u ne aeafa .ne speeches ooan.
wife did not at all affect him He that he thinks there
rs something lacking IN hts organization. The truth Is
that Harndens animal sensual nature very large, and
the continued qualification Of his passions buntcd
all moral scnsibility. This process is not unna-
tural, and has ontn been remarked But Harden
had little scnsibiy at FIRST, no love for his kind no
reverence for God man, and self will which
come everything ELF Add to these pecuariies his in
tense sensualism and the effect which Indulgence
in passion has upon his moral nature, and his
calmness, coldness, apathy, want of appreciation
needless. ruinous actions af,er the crime
all easily accounted for. Harden Is no demon some
suppose, bu. young man, dtgraced and lost through
criminal indulgence Of his sensual passions. The real
motive OF his crime doubtless his desire 10 marry
Mis-. smith fwhom he says very little but still enough
to show that he loved her better than any else
earth, and ~ deeply as he could love.
Stin, he sayr, he does not know whether this
rial love, or only mere passion.
There many visiters TO Harden but only such
ciergymcn M he invites admitted. His father took
leave Of him time ago, and his brother IN praying
and singing with him write. His mother and SIT
trs-four interesting erk-have not visited him
snse the trial, and viii probably not him
again before the execution. Harden
anxious 70 know the HxArp reporter had arrived and
desired Interview with him. The execution will take
place 81 noon tc morrow. last Sunday at Hardene
guest the choirs Of the village sang 70 him, and now
After many expressions Of penitenoe, be says hat be
not ony ready, but anxious 10 die.