Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-06-05
JACOB s. HARDEN, THE MURDERER
Visit to the Cell of the Condemned

'isit 70 the tell Oh the condemned.
Jacob S. Harden, the young man now under
sentence OF death for the murder Of his wife,
Hannah Louisa Harden, on the 9th day Of
March, 1859, near the village of Anderson, is
at the present time incarcerated within the
jail Of the county town, at Belyidere, N. J.
The condemned is son Of John Harden, a
worthy farmer, having small com potency, and
residing near Blsirstown, in Warren county,
N. j. At the age Of fourteen he made pro-
fsssiOn of religion, joining the Methodist Epis-
copal church. He finally entered upon the
duties Of colporteur, travelling through the
lower counties Of New Jersey, and derived a
livelihood from his sales of religious books.
His wsnderings brought him to Mount Leba-
non, part OF the Schooly mountains where
the u. E. Church was without pastor After
some little persuasion on the part Of the inhab-
itants, Harden being pretty well known, he
reiinquished his former occupation, and COM
neneed his duties as a preacher, under the
presiding elder of the district. By degrees he
became quite favorite, and was locally a man
Ofmark. He was fluent and fervent, officiating
net only with his own congregation, but with
all whom he became acquainted
Living near the family of Mr.. Samuel Dor
land. who had been formerly friend and ac-
quaintance, he naturally sought him out He
here renewed the acquaintance Of Miss Dor
land, who, in the meantime, had grown to be
pretty and amiable lady. By degrees their
aequsintence ripened into an engagement,
which was shortly consummated in marriage
They lived together about FIVE months Her
death took place by poison. which, as has been
shown IN testimony, was administered by Har-
den.
At the time of her death the news caussd
Srest excitement in the neighborhood Har-
den Immediately left for parts unknown, but
was subsequently, arrested in Fairmount, Va.
where be was learning the daguerrean bust
ness with gentleman named Miller. He was
accordingly brought back, and incsrcerated in
tne Jail, and on the 18th day of April, 1860,
M: trial took place at Belvidere, with the in.
cldents of which the public are already
familiar
One OF our reporters called upon him few
days since, and was received in a courteous
manner. At the present time Harden ooeupies
cell on the hrst floor in the northwest corner
eI tne jan, small, uncomfortable brick build
ang situated In the middle Of the town. His
cell Is about 10 feet by IL, with small window.
which admits little light into the cell. The
wall is plastered over with Frank LesIie's and
Harpers Weeklies, done by himself, and which
present somewhat Of a peculiar appearance.
HIS bed Is large and comfortable, and the
greatest attention is shown him-so far as
security will permit
Al the time he was sentenced the Court
dlrected that he be placed in irons. since
winch time be has been heavily manacled, and
to which he cheerfully submits
He appears to manifest a cold Indifference as
70 MS fate, and Is strongly inclined to believe
tnat ms sentence viii be commuted to imprison-
ment for life.
Rev. Mr.. Dey, of the Methodist EPISCOPAL
Church, by request Of Harden, visits him fire.
quently- He says he is much annoyed by the
false statements frequently made about him ia
the newspapers. He has never intimated an
lntentlon OF making confession, nor has he
said that t'if he is hung other- would bavs 70
hang with him." The report that he had at
tempted to commit suicide is also without the
slightest foundation. In the condition in which
he Is kept, ironed by day and night, and a
watchman in his cell all the time. sncb an at
tempt would be certain to prove abortive.
1t Is understood that applications are about
being made to the Executive to secure his
pardon His case, however, will be carried
30 the Court Of Error and Appeals, which meets
the first Tuesday in June. The error assigned
the severity of the Judges charge to the
J1ry-Tim De fuiiy argued by his counsel,
Messrs Shipman Depue, who have been un-
eeasing IN their efforts to obtain an acauittal
Of the prisoner.
Harden will be executed, unless the Court
or Executive interfere, on the 18th day of June
IN the Jail yard in the town of Belvidere be-
tween the hours Of IL and 2. The gallows to
be used Is the same on which Carter and Parks
were executed in l845. II will be erected on
the westerly side Of the Jail yard, an incIosed
space which will measure about one hundred
feet square. This small area will preclude
the possibility Of large number assembling
near the scaffold
IL Is stated that the whole cost to the county
OF the trial will not fall short of $4,000, and
Ii this IS added to the sum which the prison
sf's father has paid for his defense, the net
cost OF the trial will amount to 81 600
Mr.. Harden, the father of the murderer, is
an old gentleman, sixty years Of age, and feels
sensibly the awful situation in which his oldest
son is now placed. He has done all that a
father possibly could do toward son.
A great many applications have been made
to witness the execution, the most of which
have been refused
IL Is reported that Harden will make q
lengthy address on the gallows.