Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1860-07-14

clSus ia attendance pronounced Hie "a
tiuc,, and al about twelve minutes OF ;wo
o clork all pulsaIion had ceised. The
body hung about thiriy-twc minutes and
the coffin, of walnut, trimmed with silver
embroidery, and bearing simple plate
with the inscription Jacob s. Harden"
as brought beneath the gallows. and the
corpse was detached from the rope and
carried into the cell. The neck OF the
corpse was but slightly discoloIed, and The
face exhibited no traces Of agony or suf-
fering. The body was bandaged 10 Pre-
vent an effusion of blood. and was imme-
dlately placed in lis coffin and carried
through files OF soldiery 10 The open i'esrse
which awaited it outside of The Jail, and
which Immediately started for the resi-
dence of Harden's parents, about eighteen
miles distant. The crowd seemed 10 have
lost all sense of reverence, and with shout
ing and laughter, eagerly pressed towards
( the hearse.
THE FUNERAL.
! The funeral OF Harden was to take
place al four P. M. on Saturday. from the
residence of his lsiher, near Blairstown,
and conducted as privately as possible.
The residents about Blairstown had sign.
ed petition asking that Harden's remains
might not be inferred in the cemetery oI
the Blairstown church, as il a murderer's
dus, shared murderer's guilt, and would
contaminate the earth. Harden would,
therefore, be buried upon the farm owned
bv his father. Harden's family have al
ways been respected in the neghbOrhood,
and greatly feel this exclusion.
THE CONFESSION.
After his father had gone on Friday
Il arden sent for bis brother end gave him
his confession, TO take 10 his father, and
who is TO do with il as seems best 10 hun
and his friends. Il is long, full and en-
tire confession. Ii enters into the details
of his early life, revealing transactions
deiied with impurity and stepped in lnl-
Iquity. Names are given, and dates and
places specified, SO that people now un-
suspected of crime or taini, were il pub
ished, would find themselves soon the
sharers Of his noiorieiy, as well as of bis
passion. His father is fine, respectable
old justice of the peace, and i, is not prob
able that he will permit il TO 60 before the
public. He has confessed in detail TO his
counsel and spiritual advisers, all OF whom
say they will never make il public.
Hsrden's father is pour. What little
means he had he freely gave for The bene.
fit OF his wayward boy, ard it is estims-
ted that he spent something like $1,000
since his sons arrest. To recompense
his father, Harden wrote the above con
fession and placed it in his hands. A
Philadelphia publisher offered 81 500 for
the copyright of it. but j. is understood
that old Mr.. Harden is unwilling 10 part
with the paper. If fanything is done with
it, names, places, dates, &c., will be
stricken out.
NO REMoRsE.
Daring the long fifteen months Of his
confinement no remarks escaped his lips
which gave the least indication of remorse
of conscience, OF realization ofhis danger,
unlil after his conviction and sentence.
1t was only in the few days previous 10
his execution that he gave any indications
of that remorse of conscience. deep con.
triton and penience which his heart iru.
ly aroused, must have manifested, though
he was frequently in a melting mood and
wept freely. correspondent says /:
HE seemed TO have no heart, no any J.
thing, which belongs 10 humanity, except
the gift of CAB, and that he possessed il a
remarkable degree. His ministerial friends
his counsel, the sheriff, all who ever
knew him, agree that he was cool. clear
headed, hearlless fellow, whose love Of
notoriety would sustain him even al such
time as this. His counsel remarked
that nothing would please Harden more.
aud he would be in his very element, If
his friends would allow him 10 address
the immense throng Of people who had
gathered to witness bis execution"
Harden once expressively remarked
that he had talked himself TO death.
FORMER HISTORY.
The principal facts in the history OF
Harden are known already 10 The public.
He was born in 1897. At school he
evnced unusual precociry as pupil. and
won mucIi favor for his proficiency. A
few years he became a school teacher.
and afterwards colporter, and in 1857
he was called to preach al Mount Lebs.
non, where he attracted much attention BY
his powers. lie was spI in ingrsiiaIing
himself into the esteem OF those whom he
became acquainted.
During the pasiorate he became sc-
quainied with Miss DorIing. 10 whom he
promised marriage. He afterwards 81.
tempted 10 obtain release from this en-