The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-09-13
The Execution of Oliver and
Hartup.
AFFE CITING SCENES AND
INCIDENTS.
Hearing Of the I'risOners--Speech-
es at the ScaffOld--COnfeSsiO of


From the Ohio State Journal of Thursday,
\ -. September 7th.]
Camp Chase was yesterday for the first
time in its history, the scene of military
execution. In accordance with the find
ings and sentence of the military Com
mission so long in session at Cambridge,
approved by Major General Ord, Com
mander of this department. Hiram Oil
yer and John Wesley Hartup were yes
terday hung for the murder of j. B.
Cook, Provost Marshall of the 18th Dis
trict. The circumstances ofthis murder,
last spring. will be recollected by our
readers, as will also the evidence preduc-
ed and the facts developed during the
trial at Cambridge, full report of which
appeared in our columns. The two men
were removed to Camp Chase from Cam
bridge August 30th, their sentence not
having been made public, and they ap-
parently laboring under the impression
that the punishment was to be light.
On Tuesday the specifications and SEN
tence of the Court with the endorsement
of Department and District Commanders,
was received at Camp Chase.
The purport of these documents was
at once made known to the prisoners, and
Col. Woodward, the Post Commandant,
was telegraphed the situation of affairs.
The effect of the announcement upon the
Prisoners cannot be easily imagined,
much less described. Oliver was at first
disposed to treat the matter coolly, mere
lily remarking twas rough, but on meet
ling with his wife, who has been in camp
since Friday, he gave way to the most
violent demonstrations of grief. Hartup
was much affected, and much depressed
from the moment be heard his sentence.
a THE PRISONERS. @
| Hiram OLIVER was young man about
81 years of age, was of medium size,
shapely in form, and had rather good
face, as seen at first glance. His coun-
tenance, however lacked force, his eyes,
Especially when excited, as he was yes
terday, having meaningless expression,
la look not at the person to whom he was
talking, nor at the object about which he
was speaking, but afar off, in short an
absent look: an avoiding glance. he
wore his hair long, and when we saw him
for the first time yesterday forenoon, was
tdressed as q laboring man who had just
left his work for rest, in check shirt
land light cross barred trowsers. He was
born in Jefferson County, Ohio, and
Iresided there until about three years ago,
when he elisted in the 43d D. V. L. In
July last he claims to have been dis
charged, moved to Illinois with his fami-
ly and engaged in farming. He has a
wife and two children, rather pretty
little girl of four years of age, and a lit
tie boy aged about seven months.
Mr.. John Wesley Hartup, the brother
of Mrs. Oliver, is about the same age as
his brother in-law, was born in the same
county, belonged to the same regiment
and for some years lived with the Oil
vers. He and Oliver bought farms ad-
Joining each other in Illinois; left thai
State about the same time, for some pur-
pose not made plain, and came together
/ to Ohio. They were arrested as oul
readers know, in March last, and in june
Mrs. Oliver left her Illinois home and
came to her fathers near Bloomfield
Ohio. Hartup was firmly built man
had round, good humored face, spoiled
however, by bad eyes, and was evidently
not much of thinker. These two mel
have been associated together for years
The testimony of friends and their owl
admissions mark them as having lived
life bad in many of its features. Hart
up's father is said to be very good man
but allowed his son too many privileges
and he grew up ignorant and addicted t.
crime.
RELIGIOUS FEELING.
When informed on Tuesday that deatl
was SO near, they expressed wish tina
clergymen be sent to them. In accor
dance with this desire, Rev. G. A. Va
nanda, of this city, repaired to the camp
and spent the afternoon with the prison
ers. He found them at first not incline,
to be free in their expressions Of penitence
but manifestly feeling deeply. The,
!, were during the night in much trouble
Hartup sleeping soundly part of the time
but indulging with Oliver at times il
demonstrations of grief, each occasionall
praying fervently for pardon.
= SCENES AT THE PRISON.
We reached Camp Chase yesterda
about eleven o'clock, and furnished wit,
the necessary documents, proceeded a
once to the guard house, where it wa
|, ours to view most affecting scene-th
parting between Oliver and his family
The man, dressed as we have described
was seated in the guard-room hand -cuffed
and with ball and chain to his feet. B
his side, with babe in her arms, was hi
wife, ,half-crazed by grief and giving way t
: the most heart-rending expressions, Th
little girl, with wonder struck face, stoo
near, gazing alternately at the soldier
with bayonets and her weeping parents
Revs. Vananda, Of Columbus, and Ellison
: of Cambridge, were both in attendance
and the officers and soldiers on duty com
2 nlatad thu errnnn-I Roth xrifo and hus