, 1860-07-11

iFrom tbs N. 7 E1ps~sa-l
On Friday The unfortunate young culpfit,
Rev. Jacob 3. Harden, Of whose crime tho put
lie must know esything. suffered the extreme
penalty Of the law, at Belvidsre, warren eoun-
II, New jersey. lie was convicted oi the &C.
lherate murder ola young and lovely we. VINO
had centered all Of woninn's pure aheeuoo9 up
on him, by administering to her poison, ana Tue
caae was 20 clearly proven that no one ~
moment doubted his Guilt. The chlei talnR
that gave importance 10 his case was the TACT
that he had for some months ohiciatsd as min
lister fthe gospel, and By his Parltoloners W1a
looked upon u i most exemplary young man.
Rnd one for whom bright future was IN pros
pect. He ras the son Of highly esteemed pa
rents, whose hope in great degree s2s'ea ;.Is Up
much sympathy. Ths whole community. uo'
only Of Warren County, but ofths entire NORTH
Western part Of New Jersey, have been mnch
exercised in relation to lis case.
TIE REV. JACOB 8. HARpEs.
Was born in the year 1887, at Blairstown, n.
j., and WIS consequently, bnt little oSer ~
years of ngc at the tius Of his death. A. N
early age, he exhibited fond ness for atoay and
research, which impressed big parents that he
YVES marked ont for some calling Of high and
lofty character. When twelve years Of age, be
was we'll progressed in study, and !ew years
Afterwards was deemed to be sutficient]yin
ed to take charge ofa village school IN warren
County. In his new avocation Of sehoolfeach-
er, Mr.. Harden might have been successful, but
lie had an unfortunate habit, 30 it is said, Of ta~
king liberties with his female scholars, whicn,
becoming known, led to his removal. It il more
than probable that here he commenced
that career Of sin, which for ono 80
60 young, was very long one The truth
about the unfortunate mans life, will neEer be
many families ofthe highest responsibility, it
is best that it should remain buried IN the bos-
| ous Of his yictiins, and OF the few WHO haze
been made aware oft. But to proceed.
After Nr. Harden had been removed from his
position as school teacher, he made show Of
the good opinion Of the religious portion Of the
community. He joined the Methodist Church,
/ and being fluent talKer, made successful ex-
horter at camp meetings. 1t is also said, that
whilst 4. these religious assembiages he made
many Gcquaintances with the weaker SCI, which,
about twenty, Mr. Harden became circuit
| preacher. and travelled through the Northern
| part of his native State, az such. While acting
| in this capacity, he is reported to have in1u-
enced many reviFals, and secured numerous
converts, aud therefore it is not to be wondered
Lebanon Church, lie WAS called to preside over
tbs Methodist congregation Of that town. At
first he refused to 80, saying that he could sue
coed better in circuit preaching; but, after
sone persuasion, his consent was obtained, aud
iu short lime a dourishing congregation
| grew up about him. This was in the latter part
Of 1858.
| 1t was not long after be had been stationed
at Mount Lebanon that some very singular sto-
ries began to be circulated regarding IN init.
macy between himself and q pretty young lass
Of Anderson, named Catharine Dorland. This
girl was IN old schoolmate, about three years
younger than Harden, and the plain truth Of
the natter il, that the young beginner in crime
lad led her from the paths Of virtue, under
| Promise OF marriage. When he began to pre:ch
ut the Mount Lebanon Church, she and her pa
rents entreated him to keep bis word and sase
her reputation; but he turned deaf ear to their
pleadiugs, merely responding in a letter, IN
which hs coolly stated that Miss Dor!and was
not possessed Of sufficient education to be the
wife Of minister, and that she must give up
all hope Of ever becoming attached to him for
life. But this did not satisfy The girl. She felt
that her honor depend,d upon her marriage to
Harden, and finally induced him to pledge him
self in writing that he would oct the manl5 part
at certain time. When the time came hs de-
MED eyer having written such pecge, and
again refused to make the only amends in bis
power for the injury be he'd done. Finally,
however, the scandal became known to the pub
lie, and q threa. to bring it betorc the Methodist
aud pleadines, and the result was the marriage
Of Harden TO his victim. Miss Dorland, it IL
believed, truly loved her husband, und when
they we're married she sought to make his home
happy and contentcd one Bat while engaged
in this work of affection he, with all the u1alig-
nifty Of his wicked nature, began to plot her
death, and in six shost months her murdered
body Was enslrouded in the llahifimcnts of
death. Mrs. Harden died On the 9th Of april,
1889.
Few thought, ut the time, that the young min
isler had done this terrible deed. No eye had
| seen but the One above, and the murderer felt
safe. The day for burial came, when thought
struck the minds Of the young wife'a parents,
and they..tiemanded q post-tnortem examination.
| Harden objected. It was not his desire TO aee
the dead body Of his vile mutilated, and bis
consent would never be granted But the par.
ents were firm, and the post ,snrtem took place.
The necessary portion Of the body was sent to
New York, 81 that chemical analysis might be
made, and, in the ntnntime, the funeral seryi,
ces came oil. Harden was the most concerned
OF all who attended it, aud but few were ungen.
erous enough to suppose, at that time, that bis
tears did not come from the heart. But the
next day he Was found missing, and the author
lilies at once concluded that lie was q guilty
msn. The rest is well known. The murderer
was pursued to Virginia. captured, and after
two postponements. he WAS tried, couslcteJ
and sentenced to be hanged Gu the 18th o1
June. Ills counsel carried the case to the tour
of Pa1dons, where, after argument, new trial
aud pardon were refused. The Governor then
ut the request Of Hardeu's friends, extended
the time Of execution until Friday, when il
came off at Belvidere.
THE CONFESSION.
H., =, III I'D