Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-07-13
Execution ofHardip.

Rev. Jacob S. Hardin, who was recently
tried and convicted Of the murder of his wife
was hung on Friday last, at Belvidere, N
}. We make room for the following par
ticulars Of the occasion:
At just half-past one o'clock the solemn
silent procession of the sheriff, Harden will
his arms pinioned and the halter about hi
neck, the clergy and the physicians cam
forth from the cell and assembled the scafold
Harden seemed as calm and composed a
during his trial. Ee was dressed in tn
clothes he wore during bis confinement. -
All kuelt, the spectators removing thel
hats and Harden. dropping upon one kne
his face turned upwards, uttered in lo'
murmur an ejaculatory prayer, beseechinl
God TO forgive him and to be with him, an
calling upon Jesus Christ to save him il
Heaven. The silence which prevailed wa
sudden and painfully intense. The praye
occupied but two or three moments, an
then, rising, Harden stood facing the sher
if upon the fatal drop, and the moose wa
uncoiled from his neck and attached to tn
iron hook pendant from the rope connecting
with the pulley Standing in the centre o o
the drop. he gave directions to the sherlH
that upon prcconcerted signal the roge
should be cut and then, turning bali round
he shook hands with his weeping friends
and calling each one by name said, very cis-
tinctly. but in low tones, Good bye. -
A black glazed cap was then drawn over
h;s face the handkerchief with which the
signal was to be given was placed in his
right hand and the knot adjusted under his
left ear. Thus pinioned and masked, be
stood perfectly erect and without the slight
est peceptible tremor, said "Good-bye" to
the sheriff, and added, q thank you for the
many kindnesses you have shown NE, my
friend" The sheriff then descended the
steps of the scaffold and took his station by
the pulley, and for a moment there was an
aconizing pause. Harden stood unflnch-
ingy erect, muttering "God have mercy
upon me! Lord Jesus save me in Heaven !!
Then for an instant he locked firmly and ST.
lentiy into the dark face of death -the white
handkerchief futtered. ike wounded bird,
to the ground-the drop fell with a dull thnd
tho spectators recoilei and closed their
eyes as from the effect OF a heavy blow, and
the unfortunate man hung suspended by the
neck. For moment he hung perfectly
still, with limbs separated and extended
then drew himself up with a strong contrac-
tion of the muscles, his pinioned hand strove
to reach the cord which was choking cut his
life, his limbs were slowly bent and as slow
ly relaxed seven or eight times; his body
swayed backwards and forwards, and, with
cut moan or single murmur, his spirit
passed to God, who gaveit. AS if his deatf
had been teleeraphed mysteriously to the
crowd outside, the dead silence was broken
by loud cries of Hes gone "Good bye,
Harden" and these were the last bounds
which broke the dreadful ringing in the suf-
ferer's ears Amid the most perfect still
ness in the yard. strangely relieved against
the murmu.s outside the body hung rerfects
ly still, the head dropped upon the shoulder
and almost touching the SPECTATORS, the
corpse. stiff and stark, swayed noiselessly to
and fro. The drop fell at precisely twenty
FIVE minutes Of TWO, and in three minutes
all struggles ceased. In about five minutes
the physicians in attendance pronounced life
extinct. and at about twelve minutes Of two
O'Clock all pnlsation had ceased. The body
hung about thirty-twc minutes, and the coffin
of walnut, trimmed with silver embroidery,
and bearing simple plate with the itsc ip-
ton jacob s. Harden" was brought be-
meath the gallows, and the corpse was de-
tachcd from tie rope and carried into the
cell. The neck Of the corpse was but slight
ly discolored, and the face exhibited no ira
ces Of agony or suffering The body was
bandaged to prevent an efusion of blood,
and was Immediately placed in its coffin and
carried through files of soldiery to the open
hcarse which awaited 1t outside of the jail,
and which immediately started for the resi-
dence of Harden's parents, about eighteen
miles distant. The crowd seemed to have
lost all sense of reverence. and with shout.
ing and laughter, eagerly pressed toward;
the hearsa
The principal facts in the history Of far.
den are known already to the public. He
was born in 1887. At school he esinced
unusual precocity as pupil, and won much
favor for his proficiency. A few years later
he became school teacher, and afterwards
a colporter, and in 1857 he was called to
preach at Mouht Lebanon, where he attract
ed much attention by his powers. He was
apt in ingratiating himself into the esteem
of those with whom he became acquainted.
During the pastorate he became acquain-
ted with Miss Dorling, to whom he promis-
ed marriage: He afterwards attempted to
6btait d release from this engagement. .hay-
ing preference for Miss Smith, young
woman, Of whom Mrs. Harden was .ubse
qnently very Jealous.
Five mouths after the marriage HRS.
Harden died Suddenly. and corof1er's in
quest was held, which revealed the fact that
she had been poisoned. Her husband had
acted strangely during her sickness, and
suspicion was directed towards him. He
had now absconded, and Governor Newell
offered reward of $500 for his arrest. He
was found at Fairmount, Virginia, where
he was at work as daguerrean, under the
assumed name Of Austin. He was brought
back to New Jersey, tried and convicted.
During the Conventions at Baltimore, the
hotcls-Barnum' the Gilmore, the Eutaw,