The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1860-07-18

sketch nj hlS Life--HiS career u
Crime.
On Friday The unfortunate young culpri
Rev. Jacob s. Hardin, OF whose crime the pub
lic must know everything, suffered the extrem
penalty of the law, at Belvidere, Warren coun
. ty, New Jersey. He was convicted Of the de
liberate murder of a young and lovely wife
who had centered all OF woman's pure affections
upon him. by administering to her poison, ant
the case was so clearly proven that no one for
moment doubted his guilt.
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
Jacob s. Hardin was born at Blairstown, n
J., of very respectable parents, both of whom
are still living. He has two brothers and two
sisters, all of whom are still residing in the
immediate neighborhood. Jacob, at the time
of his execution, was little less than twenty
three years of age. He commenced life as 6
school teacher, but in consequence Of the liber.
ties he was in the habit Of taking with his fe-
male pupils, incurred the displeasure Of their
parents, and was at length obliged to relinquish
that calling
! H1s HYPOCRISY.
After Mr. Hardin had been removed from
his position as school teacher, he made a show
of reformation, and soon ingratiated himself IN
to the good opinion OF the religious portion Of
the community. He Joined the Methodist
Church, and being fluent talker, made a sue
cessful exhorter at Camp Meetings. 1t is also
said, that while at these religious assemblages
he made many acquaintances with the weaker
sex, whicn, for them, resulted disastrously.-
At the age Of about twenty, Mr.. Hardin be-
came circuit preacher and travelled through
the northern part of his native State as such
While acting in this capacity, he is reported
to have influenced many revivals, and secured
numerous converts and there fore, it is not to
be wondered at, that when vacancy occurred
in the Mount Lebanon Church, he was called
to precde over the Methodist congregation OF
that town. At first he refused to go, saying
that he could succeed better in circuit preach
| ing; but after some persuasion, his consent was
obtained, and in short time fourishing con =
gregation grew up about him. This was in the
latter part Of 1858.
SEDUCTION AND MARRIAGE.
| 1t was not long after he had been stationed
at Mount Lebanon that some very singular sto-
res began to be circulated regarding an intima-
cy between himselfand pretty young lass ma
med Catharine Dorland. This girl was an old
schoolmate, about three years younger than
Hardin, and the plain truth Of the matter is,
that the young beginner in crime had led her
from the paths of virtue, under promise OF
marriage. When he began to preach at the
Mount Lebanon church, she and her parents
entreated him to keep his word and save her
reputation; but he turned deaf ear to their
pleadings, merely responding in letter, in
letter, in which he cody stated that Miss
Dorland was not possessed of sufficient educa
ton to be the wife of a minister; and that she
must give up all hope Of ever becoming attach
ed to him for life. But this did not satisfy the
girl. She felt that her honor depended upon
her marriage to Hardin, and finally induced
him to pledge himself in writing that he would
act the manly part at certain time. When
the time came he denied ever having written
such pledge, and again refused to make the
only amends in his power for the injury he had
DONE Finally, however the scandal became
known to the public, and threat to bring it
before the Methodist Conference proved more
effectual than tears and pleadings, and the re-
suit was the marriage of Hardin to his victim.
HE PoIsoNs HIS WIFE.
| What the immediate trouble between Hardin
and his wife was has never been definitely as
certained, but it would seem that, after his
marriage, as before, he paid great attention to
other ladies, paying them frequent visits, ma
king and receiving presents, and preferrng their
society to that of his wife. Miss Dorland, it is
believed, truly loved her husband and when
they were married, she sought to make his
home happy and contented one. But while
engaged in this work of affection. he, with all
the malignity of his wicked nature, began to
plot her death, and in six short months her
murdered body was shrouded in the habili.
men,s of death. Mrs. Hardin died on the 9th
of April, 1853.
| HIS FLIGHT.
| A post mortem examination was demanded
by the friends OF the deceased, which Hardin
strenuously opposed. alleging that he would
never consent to have his wife's remains mutt
lated! The post mortem was made, and the
f,ct that she had died by poison, was establish
ed. Public opinion was now strong agains
Hsriin, but he still sought to schreen his afro
cious crime oy lying and deception. He asked
the privilege of stating what he knew abou,
as she stated to him-about six o'clock in the
morning-giving as reason the difference be-
tween her mother and him, which circumstance
he was not to reveal, except to save his owr
| life. This statement impressed all present tha
he was guilty of the act himself, and his bes
| friends told him that he had cut his own throat
upon which he Immediately made arrangements
to make his escape, and got a person to tax,
him that night to the railroad, putting on sui
81 drab clothes and an oil cloth cap, which this
person purchased for him.
HIS ARREST, TRIAL AND SENTENCE.
The murderer was pursued to Virginia, cap
tured, and after two adjournments, he wal
tried, convicted and sentenced to be hung OF
the 28th OF June. His counsel carried the cas-,
to the Court Of Pardons, where, after argumen
new trial and pardon were refused The Gov
srnor then, at the request of Hardin's counsel