Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1860-07-14
Execution of Harden, the Wife Murder


er.
I'm Immtnse Crowd-His CoolaeSs,
etc.-The town of BeIvidere, n. j.. was
crowded last Friday, on the occasion of
the execution of Jacob S. Harden, Tor The
murder of his wife by poisoning. The
people came in on foot and in all manner
of vehicles from the country round, inclu-
ding many women. They were disap-
pointed in the sight seeing, however. as
The execution took place inside the jail
yard, whereal there was some popular IN
dignation. To their credit be it said, none
of the women of the village were TO be
seen. Many drunken men were about
the streets. A guard of soldiers were
marched in front Of the courthouse door,
and about the cell windows and yard.
The sheriff refused over two thousand
applications for permits, as the execution
could not be seen from The outside Of the
prison. Not over three hundred persons
were admitted inside. The gallows was
placed in view of Hafden's window in
the Jail al his own request. He went out
early in the morning and coolly examined
it in every particular, and expressed his
satisfaction with the arrangements.
The Rev. Mr.. Day. oI the Methodist.
and Rev. Mr.. Kirk, of the Presbyterian
church were with The prisoner. He said
he felt that God had forgiven him, and
he was prepared to die. He made no
speech from the gallows, as had been ex-
pected.
THE LAST FAREWELL.
His brother, young man, was with
him the most of Thursday; they sang and
prayed together, and took leave OF each
other. His mother had no, seen him
since The trial, when she was here TO les-
tify. She is fine old lady, and will not
probably survive the stroke long. His
father took leave of him sometime ago.
He bid his friends goodbye with warm
expressions of gratitude and friendship,
giving each his card, containing simply
"Good. bye. j. S. Harden" written in
clear, steady hand.
THE ASCENT OF THE sCAFFoLD.
AT just hali-psst one o'clock the solemn,
silent procession of the sheriff, Harden
with his arms pinioned and the halter
about his neck, and the clergy and the
physicians came forth from the cell and
ascended the scalfold. Harden seemed
as calm and composed as during his trial.
He was dressed in the clothes he wore
during his confinement. All knelt, the
spectators removing their hats; and Har.
den, dropping upon one knee, his face
turned upwards. uttered in low murmur
an ejaculatory prayer. beseeching God TO
forgive hin and TO be with him, and cal.
ling upon Jesus Christ 10 save him in
Heaven. The silence which prevailed
was sudden and painfully intense. The
prayer occupied but two or three mo.
menls, and then, rising, Harden stood ia
cling the sheriff upon the fatal drop, and
The moose was uncoled from his neck and
attached 10 the iron hook pendant from
The rope connecting with the pulley.
Standing in lhe centre Of the drop, be
gave directions TO the sheriff, that upon a
precohcerted signal the rope should be
cut; and then, turning half round. he
shook hands with his weeping friends, land
calling each one by name said, very dis
linclly. but in low tones, Goodbye"
A black glazed cap was then drawn
over his face, the handkerchief with
which the signal was 10 be given was
placed in his right hand, and the knot ad-
justed under his left ear. Thus pinioned
and masked, he stood perfectly erect and
without the slightest perceptible iremor,
said Goodbye" TO the sheriff, and ad-
ded, 81 thank you for the many kindness
es you have shown ME, my friend" The
sheriff then descended the steps of the
scaffold and took his station by the pull
ley, and for moment there was all agent
zing pause. Harden stood unhnchingly
erect, mu;tering "God have mercy upon
me Lord Jesus save me iI Heaven ~
Then for an instant he looked firmly and
silently into the dark face of deaih-ihc
white handkerchief Autiered like wound
ed bird, 10 the ground-ihe drop fell with
thud--lhe spectators recoiled and closed
their eyes as from The effect of heavy
blow, and the unfortunate man hung sus-
pended by the neck. For moment he
hung perfectly still, with limbs separated
and extended, then drew himself up with
a strong contraction of the muscles, his
pinioned hand sirove 10 reach the cord
which was choking out his life. his limbs
we're slowly bent and as slowly relaxed
seven or eight times; his body swsye6
backwards and forwards. and. without
moan or single murmur, his spirit pas
sed 10 God. who gave il. AS if his death
had been ,elegraphed mysieriously 10 the
crowd outside. the dead silence was bro
1 ON ht, lnnd cries f.lafs nonai C