Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-07-06
THE EXECUTION OF HARDEN

suFTcn OF HIS LtFr-rBE cRINE FOR WHICH HE sUFTERs
This Frid,y July 6thl is the day appointed for The ex
eeuton of Rev. Jacob s Harden, and the New Jersey
papers filled with reports or less authentic Of
the manner in which that wretched spends the few
remaining days of his probation, It is not easy to
round story Of coldbooded and deliberate murder with
much senmentaity would it seem possible to excite
much sympathy for man who could cloak the soul Of an
assassin under the Of religion, and feed poison for
DAYS and weeks in succession TO the wife of his bosom
while bestowng on her the of pretended aec
ton. But nothing is impossible 10 this direction, and
in the least surprised read of sanity serenades
being given 10 this monster Of crurlyof fair and love-
" hands minstegng 70 bis physical comfort in his cell
Of attentive listening TO the gracious wOrd5 that flow
from his lips ueny when he made them the panders
bis vices and of tender hearts rocng in the indications
which bis daily walk aud conversation afford of mind
peace with Heaven, aud resigned TO the sad tate which
human justice awards to crime. We have nothing say
against all this-we hope this wrecked murderer is sim
cere peniten-but prefer to leave that question: which
is interesting mainly to himself the high tribunal
which be deceive and before which he soon
appear. But we find it difficult to imagine form OF
crime more utterly unredeemed thoroughly mark.
ed by every circumstance of aggrsvation and enormy
more perfectly indicative ola black and malignant SOUL
than that for which Harden is about 70 suffer death
Hardens life has further interest than his conduct
gives it-but its leading features may be rehearsed with
profit He born at Bltirstown New Jersey In May,
1887 AT very early age be developed pecuarities OF
temperament and disposition which, properly CONTROL
ed or directed would have aided his ready talent and
possibly have handed bis name down to future genera
TONS crowned with honorable fame but which msdi.
rected have aided greatly in destroying his reputation
undermining his character and conggniog him to fe-
Ions grave. As boy, he leader amongst his fell
lows, whether IN the scho0room or on the playground
His early training seems, however to have developed his
naturally Inordnate vanity, and while his Academic
course heaped honor upon bis bead writer speaker
and student il also sent him forth into sacred calling
with craness in his heart vanity and pride in his port
and deceifu holiness upon bis tongue. BE always
successful As a school teacher in the county of Sussex
where in 1855 he abored faithfully to all outward APP
peaauce, he particularly able and efficient, and had
il not been for his weakness Of nerve and his undue
and improper ondness for the society of his female pu
pills, he might have for himself the love and admI
ration Of all intelligent and refined people. At this
time finding his vocation too chcumscribed, he be-
porteur and for two years tramped circuit
SUCH giving great isacon 10 his superors aud
those whom be visited. Indeed, so great was his
popularity at this time, successfully did he conceal
from the public eye his true character, and so CON-
petely did he hoodwnk the authorities of the church.
that while william at heart he saint in appearance
He regularly licensed that the title Rerer
end did not belong him. but in 1857 he was called to
preach TO a small congregation at Mount Lebanon His
friends urged him to accept the post which he with
summate hypocrisy, modesy declined distressing his
own fitness for the charge praying that some worther
come and be consented TO attempt the task 1t was at
this period in his history that the filthy undercurrent
his life flowed most rapidly, and subsequent events
revealed, most unblushingly. As a revvalst he has
rarely been exceed his descriptive power very fine
bis Imagination powerful and the magnetic influence
ered by him upon his eager listeners said to have been
wonderful As a consequence, his church rapidly grew
aud hourished. He became great favorte, not only
with his congregation but with young people gen.
orally, aud more particularly with the women and the
girls Of bis charge 1t during his career here that
be met woed and Miss Hannah L. Doring, daugh-
of respectable miller of that vicinity Mr.. joan H.
Doring.
What the immediate trouble between Harden and his
wife was has been definitely ascortained but il
would that after his marriage before, he paid
great attention to other ladies' paying them frequent
visits making and receiving presents, and preierrng
their society to that Of his wife. To Mrs. Harden this
naturally unpleasant she demonstrated, he replied
and from one thing to another they proceeded, until
their home life became perfect hell on EARTH Miss
Smith to have been the object Of particular atlen
ton from Harden and of consequent detesation from
his wife, aad at one time harsh words passed between the