The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-07-09
Airhmnnh Qispatrh.
MONDAY MORNING. ...., JULY 9. 1866
EXECUTION OF REV. J. 5. HARDEN.
The Confession Of the Prisoner-Scenes at
the Gallows-Coolness OF the Condemn
ed Man, Ge., sc. -ka

the G1llnws-t0OiuSsb VI tuc Soauchhns
ed Man, &e., sc.
The Rev Jacob S..Harden, whose trial and
conviction for the murder Of his wife has at
tracted public attention for several months
past. was executed at Belvidere, N. j., on
Friday last. He had been married but five
months when the crime was committed. AT
ter the deed, he fled to Fairmont, Marion
county, Va, where he opened a daguerrean
saloon, under the name OF Austin, and was
there discovered and taken back to Belvidere.
The murderer was an active stump speaker
for Fremonts election in 1856, and was one of
the three thousand clergymen who signed the
"remonstrance against the Kansas "out-
RACES" He did not lack for friends on his
trial, and the most powerful efforts were
made for his acquittal, and then for COM
mutation of his sentence. A letter, speakin G
of the prisoner before the execution, gives the
following account OF this remarkable crimi-
nal: asf
Harden was an Intelligent looking, prepos-
sessing young man, about five feet four inches
in height, stout and muscularly built. and
weighing about one hundred and thirty
pounds. His chronological traits indicated
strong sensual passions, good ia tents and a
large command of language. His face was
remarkable only for an unusually large de-
velopment about the lower jaw He was born
in 1887, and was, consequently, abou twenty
three years old. He had common school
education, was proficient pupil, became n
school teacher, and afterwards Methodist
colpcrteur. In 1857 he was called to preach
at Mount Lebanon, New Jersey, and dis
played unus ual ratorical ability. Many con :
verts were added TO his church, and a revival
Of religion soon took place. His effor Is were
aided by his fine tenor voice, which he used
with great effect, both in speaking and sing
ing At Mount Lebanon he became acq u ain ted
with Miss Dorland, the daughter Of an honest
German miller, and he renewed an attach
ment began in his schoolboy days. He Sc
duced Miss Dorland, married her to save his
reputation, and soon conceived passion for
a Miss Smith, who lived at his boarding
place. Five months after marriage, Mrs. Har-
den suddenly died. In his confession, he ad-
mits having given her arsenic and laudanum
at eleven different times. Suspicious were
aroused at Mrs. Harden's sudden death, and
a Coroner's jury was empanneled. This jury
were about TO return verdict of "No evil
dence OF guilt" when Hardens flight sealed
his fate He says that he "talked himself to
death" He says he had no adequate idea OF
| the crime he was committing. and he did not
| fully realize it until he heard the speeches OF
| counsel at his trial The intense sufferings OF
his wife did not at all affect him. On Monday
he handed to the Sheriff Il letter, written in a
fine bold style, returning thanks to him for his
kind treatment during his incarceration, and
telling him he would like to give him some
subs bstantial token of his regard, and regret
ting his inability, on account of his poverty
to do so. He also admonished the Sheriff TO
take good care of his growing children, 10
keep them out of the paths Of vice and i'm.
morality, so that they might not, like him, be-
come disgrace to their parents and their
country.
THE PRISONER S LAST NIGHT.
During the whole OF Thursday, Harden
maintained a bold and undaunted front. He
ate heartily and said that he felt better pre-.
pared than ever before, TO meet the fate which
he so we'll deserved. When night came or
| the Rev. Mr.. Kirk, of the Presb terian Church
| and the Rev. Mr. Day, of the Methodist per-
| suasion went to his cell TO pray and watch
| with him. He greeted them pleasantly, and bid
ding them be seated, INDUCED for some time in
ordinary conversation. The ministers then
ioined in prayer, and were followed by the
| culprit, who earnestly appealed TO Heaven tC
pardon his sins, and admit him to the sacred
| precincts of Heaven. At daybreak he was lef
| alone. and after indulgiDg in few hours
| sleep, ate a hearty breakfast. At no time was
! there a tremor, or an expression of regret foI
| his untimely end.
| On Friday morning, at an early hour, gen.
tleman of the press had an interview with
Harden in his cell. The prisoner received him
| kindly, and invited him to take IA seat After
| some ordinary conversation, he said:
| My only regrets for my poor parents
| brothers and sis teIs-for myself have none
They may be pointed at on my account, anC
| thus suffer many papgs. This l regret. My
death, disgraceful as it is considered, amount:
1 to but little. In 1t Will All De over
| and shall he in another world. l restundel
no apprehens ons, and believe that l sha]
| walk to the scaffold firmly, and die manfully
| Still may not, for no one can tell at this mo
| ment how he will feel at the next. hope TO
| the BEST however, and trust that all may pas
off well. Don't hurry, sir. There is, to be sure
| but little time left me, and shall depart fol
| another and a better world. Still, to commune
| with my fellow men at this late hour is plea
| SAINT. Good bye, goodbye.
The two then shook hands and parted, Har.
| den exhibiting no particular emotion during
| the entire interview. He wrote, however
several cards, with "goOd-by and his name
upon them, for his acqualntan
HEEXECUTION.
At nine O'Clock, Harden accompanied by
| the Sheriff, left his cell, which opens aim os
| directly upon the ail-yard, walked to the gal
| lows, assembled the scaffold, deliberately in
| spected all the arrangements, said he was per
| fectly satisfied with the manner in which the
| gallows was constructed, made few unim
| portant remarks in regard to surrounding OBJ
| jects with which he was familiar, and then
| without a tremor, or the slightest show O.
| emotion, walked unassisted back to his cell.
The jail-yard, at u O'Clock, was about two
| thirds full, not more than one hundred peo
pie being present. The windows of The Court
| house were filled, however, and counting
| those looking upon the scene from them the
| total number could not have been less than
one hundred and fifty. Among those at the
windows was Mrs. Ramsay, middle aged
| lady, who was the principal witness agains
Harden on his trial. Besides her, there was
another lady looking on, but these were the
only two females whose tas te led them to seek
a view of the sickening scene.
Much noise prevailed outside from noon
until after the execution was over. At one
time large limb of a cherry tree broke down
carrying with it about two dozen men and
boys. One was SO badly hurt that his recovery
is considered doubtful. A shed also gave way
and the crash of tImbers, and shouts of the
eager multitude made it all very unpleasant
for those inside, who felt disposed to regard
the occasion as a proper time for solemnity
and respect
gave the order to 'fall back" the heavy door
of the Jail swung open, and Harden appeared
with arms closely pinioned to his sides, and
the fatal moose artistically coiled about his
neck, and walked by the side of the Sheriff up
the steps OF the gallows. Harden seemed as
calm and composed as during his trial, and
walked along with his head slightly bowed
| downward and his eyes directed straight be.
| fore him. He was dressed in the clothes he
wore during his eonfinement-an old, shabby
| blue dress coat, a pair of black cloth pants
aud shoes OF patent leather. The Rev. Messrs
kIrk, Day and Matthews, and three friends
accompanied him upon the scaffold. All knelt
the spectators removing their hats; and Har-
| den, dropping upon one knee. his face turned
| upwards, uttered in a low murmu ur an eiacu
latory prayer, beseeching God TO forgive him
and to be with him, and calling upon Jesus
Christ to save him in Heaven. The silence
which prevailed was sudden and painfully
intense and the condemned mans choked and
hurried murmurs could be indistinetIy heard
in the renotest corner of the yard The
PRAYER was uttered ia a low, tremuieus voice
and but few heard IL. When the prisoner rose
from his knees large tears trickled down his
cheeks and the struggle, 1t was quite evident,