Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-07-09
Execution of Harden, the New Jersey Wife
pots0uer.

Pois0ner.
AT half past one O'Clock on Friday last the Rev
Jacob 5. Harden, who has been fifteen months in
prison, was executed In the yard attached to the
Jail at Belvidere, Warren county, ]. The
crime for which this man doomed to death
has occupied so prominent place In the public
journals Of late that Ii Is needless to repeat the de-
tails of the murder at this time. Suffice Ii to
say that after a long and ably conducted trial he
was found guilty OF having administered to his
wife quantity Of arsenic which resulted In her
death. He then fed TO Virginia, was suspected,
sent for and arrested, and on being brought back
was placed upon trial to answer for her murder
He was found guilty, sentenced to be hung on the
18th day of June From that day he was respited to
July 6, and on that day the sentence was duly
executed.
The scaffold on which Harden was executed
was an entirely new one, erected under his own
supervision, and IN full view Of the grated win
dow Of his cell. IL occupied the northwest corner
of the yard, and took up nearly one-fifth Of the
space inclosed within the fifteen foot brick wal.
1t consisted of two uprghts, the full hight of the
wall, with a cross piece at the top. flight of
steps led to platform erected about midway of
the scaffold. A few inches below the platform
was placed the fatal drop, he having expressed a
preference for that mode Of death, the usual
custom being to raise the body suddenly by heavy
weights. Supporting this drop was a swinging
arm, so arranged that the dropping Of fourteen
pound weig ht ierked the arm away, allowing the
drop to fall aside, thus leaving the body suspended
in the air. This scaffold was erected at Harden s
him previous TO his execution
Up to the last moment the condemned man pre-
served calm and composed exterior, talking
freely with all who were permitted to see him
His father took last farewell Of him on Friday
the 2Sth of June, the interview being represented
as very affecting. Last Thursday mig ht was spent
In prayer and relig conversation with the Rev
Mr. Kirk, Presbyterian clergyman, and the Rev
Mr.. Day, of the Methodist persuasion. He slept
but little till after daylight on Friday mornin1.
and, on awakening, had another interview with
the clergyman. One of his brothers also saw him
on Thursday, since which tine none of his rela-
tves have seen him. He has written small book
of admoniton to the young full of useful precepts
and showing the manner in which he was led
into crime. Notwithstanding the confident asser-
tons OF the citizens of Bslvidere that Harden has
made full and detailed confession of his MANY
crimes, his counsel assert that they know nothing
OF IL, and do not believe in Its existence The
only confession they know of is that contained in
the little pamphlet mentioned.
His mother has not been to see him at all since
his trial, in consequence of sickness, nor has
either OF his sisters visited him. Ii was Only
within the past two three DAYS that he realized
the enormity Of his crime and appreciated his
true position more fully. Then he admitted the
impartiality of his trial. and the fairness of the
Judge and the jury, and said that he felt that bis
sentence was just one. He thought that he was
prepared to die, and that he could walk with
hrmneRs to the scaffold, but could not be posi-
tive. He admitted also having seduced several
young girls, and having had Illicit intercourse
with married women with whom be became
acquainted during his ministerial career He
stated that he had Tepented of his sin, and had
full faith in the forgiveness of God Harden
talked freely, clearly, and plausibly and that IL
was by means Of his good conversational powers
that he was able to prosecute his villainies so
successfully The impression left upon a person
who conversed with him was that he was a mosi
plausible villain-one who had been so lony a
living lie to all the world that he was now Iln
able to believe himself-that he was Iaborinp
h4rd tn rtEaao
and striving to do what was right but that
knowing himself SO well, he was doubtful of his
own thong hts well as words
Al l2H O'Clock the Sheriff went into Harden, Is
cell and told him that the hour was fast approac b.
ing, and that he must prepare for Immediate
death. He requested the Rev. Mr. Day TO pray
with him for the last time, and for full half an
hour they were so occupied. At ] 25 he ap-
peared In the prison yard his arms tied behind
him, walking by the side of sheriff sweeney,
ana followed by the two clergymen who had
attended him, his counsel, and a physician They
mounted the scaffold, when Harden glanced
around at the crowd beneath him He was !,
good looking young man, having a clear sharn
eye, and good complexion, wearing dark wbis-
kers. Tie stood about five feet seven inches HIGH
and was very athletic, and weighed about one
dark blue coat partly buttoned over his chest
black pants, dark velvet vest, white shirt with a
turn over collar, and light summer crayat. He
appeared like man who was vain of his broad
shoulders and well-developed frame Having
reached the centre of the platform he knelt down
with bis friends, and prayed. His LANGUAGE was
not audible to those on the ground, the last SEN
sence, Loru Jesus nave mercy on my soul, and
support me In this trying hour" being the only
words heard
lie then stepped upon the drop, In company
with the Sheriff aud gave some directions about
the signal, which he desired 10 give himself He
next took leave of all his friends near him shaking
them by the hand, and thanked Sheriff Sweeny
ior MS Kindness to him. AS the black cap was
drawn over his head, a PercePtibleshudder passed
over him and low groan escaped his lips He
stood up firmly, however. The Sheriff placed A
white handkerchief in his right hand, and then
descended TO the end Of the scaffold where the
weight was fastened. But moment elapsed be-
fore Harden dropped the handkerch ief as the sig
nal that be was ready. Instantly the Sheriff cut
the little cord which held the weight and at RI
the weight dropped, the drop fell and Harden
was suspended In the air, having fallen with a
sudden jerk about three feet and u half His dy-
Ing struggles were very hard and long continued
The legs were frequently drawn up to the BODY.
the hands and legs twitched convulsively and
his EFFORTS to catch his breath could be heard all
over the prison yard. After hanging about ten
minutes, the attending physician felt his pulse,
ana found that the heart was still beating At As
he was pronounced quite dead
At the end of half an hour the BODY was cut
down, and after the usual examination and YER
dict by the Coroners jury, was placed in cotin
and delivered TO his relatives. The coffin was of
mahogany, silver mounted, bearing OH a silver
PiuSO - JACOB -. Harden -
Among the crowd who witnessed the execution
Were several of the witnesses who testified against
him at the trial There were also several women
among the spectators in the prison ward while
many Others were exceedingly indig nant because
they were not admitted The father and brother
OF Mrs. Harden were also in the crowd and
anxious to see her murdeer pay the penalty Of his
crime. After the execution, MANY Of those who
were inside the Jail fastened to pay visit to e
cell formerly occupied by him. The cell had been
comfortably arranged, and contained bed table
small stand, two or three chairs etc His table
was well supplied with religious books bearing
evident marks Of constant reading The walls Of
bis cell We're entirely covered with the various
illustrated papers, all of which had been pasted
up by himself His conduct during his imprison-
ment was always gentlemanly and courteous and
ne had won the esteem Of the Sheriff and keepers
TO that degree that 1t seemed to tten like losing
an old friend when they hung him Very little
sympathy was expressed by the people of that
vicinity Tor him, except by few Of that class of
females who delighted to sing psalms beneath his
windows. All about him EXPIRE ssed the great, st
horror of his crime, and many who would be
unwilling to see the execution Of another man
offered considerable sums Of money for tickets
OF admission 10 witness his death
The funeral Of Harden was to take place AT
p m oE Saturday, from the residence Of bis father
near Blairstown, and condu cted as privately a.
possible. The residents about Blairstown had
signed petition asking that Harden,s remains
might not be inferred I'm the cemetery of the
Blairstown church, as If a murderers dust shared