The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1865-09-28
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COLUNDus Septambar G

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COLUMBUS, Septembar G.
The execution Of Hiram Oliver and
John Wesley Hartup, the murderers
OF J NJ Cook, Provost Marshal Of the
Seventh District of Ohio. took place
at Camp Chase today, under orders
from Major General Ord. 1t appears
that rhe men were quietly removed
from Cambridge t0the same prison
on the Both Of August, the sentence Of
the court being kept secret from tho
public. The men evidently had no
idea Of their approaching doom. On
Tuesday the specifications and SEN
tencc Of the court with tho indorse-
ment of the department and district
commanders, was received at Camp
Chase. Colonel Woodward, the post
commander, being absent in Cincin-
natl, was informed By telegraph ofthe
| duty before him, and he returned i'm
mediatcly 10 make the necessary ar
engagements. Tho prisoners were in
formed of the findings of the court, and
the orders for their speedy execution.
Oliver received % he.dread intelli-
gencc calmly, remarking that twas
rough, bat subsequently being per-
miltcd to see his wife and children, he
gave way 10 the most violent demon
tstraIions Of grief Hartup was much
affected, but his weakness was that of
a coward AT twelve o'clock, to-day,
Colonel Cox, OF General Cox's staff, ac-
cornranied by Col. Maxwell, Of the
Goverpors staff, Col. Wilcox, Provost
Marshal General, and the representa-
tives Of the press, took their departure
for the camp. 1f
Upon their arrival the prisoners
were led out from their place of con-
fnemcnUsto the gaIlows, accompanied
by their spiritual advisers, and closely
guarded BY detachment Of the 22d
Veteran Reserve Corps. Everything
was in perfect order, so that there was
nOdeiay.s Prayer was offered up, af-
ter which Oliver stepped firmly for
ward and addressed those present, in
substance, as follows s
"Gentlemen, bid you take this as q
warning, and prepare for the service of
God. This is an awful hour, but am
happy to tell you that God has forgiv-
en- my sins. Within a few hours, l
have made full confessions, and hope
to be forgiven. and that we shall be
received in Heaven. There is no.
thing Ike grace. II is but few min
utes since | expereced religion; and
4 hope you all here will meet me in
heaven
Hartup attempted speech also, but
he trembled SO violently that little of
what he said could be understood
lie succeeded in saying that God had
blessed his soal in his conversion.
While speaking, the men stood on
the fatal trap, The nooscs were ad-
justed by soldiers detailed for the pur-
pose, and alter an earnest prayer by
Rev G. A. Van Anda, of the Town
Street Methodist Episcopal Church,
the caps were drawn down over their
faces and the cords cut, which launch
ed them into eternity. Apparently,
both died easy.
These men, who were brothers-in-
law, were hardened villains before
they entered the army. Oliver was o
bold, sharp man, decisive and energet-
ic-the very opposite Of Hartup, who
evidently was the dupe of the other
Oliver won upon the symptthies of
those present, while scarcely anything
but contempt for Hartup was evin-
ced.
The execution was witnessed by less
than fifty persons. most Of them being
officials and reporters. Everything
was conducted quietly and orderly.
The confession which Oliver allu-
dcd to in hisrcmarks was made 10 Cap
tain Wilkinson, and was in reply to a
question whether or not he committed
the deed for which he had been con-
victed. He said: "Yes l did it. Har-
tup did not do it. Why [ did it was
because / thought that he (Cook)
would come to Illinois and arrest me,
and if he did, l knew | would kill him
OIL he would kill me. Yes, 1 am the
one. o, may God forgive mel Yes,
[ feel that He has. l had determined
hui a few minutes before not to confess.
| had promised Mary not to do it.
did it, did it, did it" With earnest
ness and apparent contrition he added:
Il had understood that Cook knew
where we lived 10 Illinois, and expect
cd that he was coming on after me-