Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1860-07-12

! EHEcuTfn& OF I!AEDN.-Ihc execution Of
the Rev. Jacob Harden, for tie murder Of his
wife took place at Belyi,}cre. N. J.. on Friday.
He met Lis fate with caln>nes&, but only died
after a terrible struggle
At just half-past ono o'clock tie solemn. 81
lent procession Of the sheriff, Harden with his
arms pilaiomcd and the halter about his neck.
the clergy and the physicians came forth from
the cell and assembled the scafo l. Harden
seemed ~ calm and mposcl as during his trial
He was dressed in the clothes he wore during
his confinement I'll knct. the spectators re-
moving their hats and Harden, dropping upon
one knee, his face turned upwards, uttered ina
low murmur an cjacuatory prayer, bpScecIiiug
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. The prayer occupied but
two or three moments, and then, rising Harden
stood facing the sheriff upon the fatal drop, and
the moose was uncoiIcd from his neck and at
tachcl to the iron hook pendant from the rope
connecting with the pulley. Standing in the
centre of the drop, he gave directions to the
sheriff, that upon a preconccrtcd signal the rope
should be cut and then turning half around he
shook hands with his weeping friends, and call
ing each one by name said, very distinctly, but
in low tones, Good bye He dropped his
handkerchief as the signal Of death-the sheriff,
with trembling finger, opened his knife and cut
the rope loosed the catch. and the trap fell with
a dull thud; the spectators recoiled, and closed
their eyes as from the effect of a heavy blow,
and the unfortunate man hung suspended by
by the neck, in the clear sunlight, between earth
and heaven. For moment he hung perfectly
still, with limbs separated and extended, then
wifi q ptj IF
the muscles his pinioned hands strove to reach
the cord which was choking out his life his
limbs were slowly bent, and as slowly relaxed
seven or eight times; his body swayed back
wards and forwards, and without moan or a
single murmur, his spirit passed to God, who
gave it.
The priMipal facts in the history of Harden
are known already to the public. He was born
in 1887. At school he evnced unusual preco-
city as pupil, and won much favor for his
proficiency. a few years later he became a
school teacher, and afterwards coporter, and
in 1857 he was called to preach at Mount Leba
non, where he attracted much attention by his
powers. He was apt in migrating himself into
the esteem Of those with whom he became &C
quaintcd.
During the pastorate he became acquainted
with Miss Dorlng, to whom he promised mar
i'aS0' liz oit0i "ilUH dItCuhPted W ootdih q It.
lease from this engagement, having preference
for a Miss Smith, young woman, of whom
Mrs. Harden was subsequently very jealous.
Five months after the marriage Mrs. Harden
died suddenly, and coroner's inquest was held,
which revealed the fact that she had been poison
ed. Her husband had acted strangely during
her sickness, and suspicion was directed towards
him. He now absconded, and Governor Newell
offered a reward of $500 for his arrest. He was
found at Fairmount, Virginia, where he was at
work as daguerrean under the assumed name
of Austin. He was brought back to New Jer
sey, tried and convicted.