The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1866-06-14
EXECUTION OF PROBsT.
Els Last Moments g. Lefters--
He Dies Protesting COufpifiOn.

PHILADELPHIA June S.-Probst, the
perpctrator of the horrid butchery and
murder of the Deering family, was exc
cuted to day. Very few were admitted
to witness the execution. although there
was large and excited outside interest
manifested.
AS the day approached no change
whatever was perceptible in Probst--
He ate as heartily and conyersed as un-
concernedly as when first received into
the prison.
The preliminaries were proceeded
WITH, and having been concluded, the
prisoner, dressed in white vest and
striped pantaloons, was led from his
cell, supported by the Rev. Messrs.
Grunder aud Carbon. He had cruci-
fix is his hand, which he repeatedly
kissed on hrs way to the gallows. On
reaching the scafiold Probst assembled
with much firmness After engaging
in prayer with the attending priests the
sheriff haadcuifcd him, and the moose
rope being adjusted, the white cap was
drawn over his head. At precisely IF
teen minutes before eleven o'clock Sher-
i'll Howell drew the fatal cord and Probst
paid the penalty Of his crimes, The
body fell about three feet, and after a
spasmodic jerking of the legs aud hands,
which lasted two or three minutes, death
resulted.
Yesterday Probst wrote the following
farewell letter to his parents in Germany.
PHILADELPHIA, Jupe 9TH, 1906
Dear Pdrcais, Brofhers anil .Sistcrs:-I
do not know whether or not you rcceiy-
cd my last letter, in which sent you
the sad intelligence Of my fate. ! desire
TO write TO you once again, to inform you
how | have spent my time here in the
prison. / have now spent eight weeks
in this cell, and have endoayorcd to pre-
pare for my death as well AZ ! possibly
could. The clergyman has visited me
every day. aud has instructed me well.
| have several times confessed aud re-
cciyed holy communion; besides this,
many prayers are offered up for me
throughout the entire city, aud there
/ fore am now so cheerful and consolcd
that can gladly offer my life as an
atoucmcDt for my fearful crime. trust
that you also will be consolcd and cheer.
I ful. as am.
The clcrgymcn win send YOU al the
particulars Of my lcath only cntreat
/ you all to pray for me Have the holy
sacrifice Of thr mass offered up frequent
! Is for the roppse OF my poor soul 10.
scph Waorh,cr has also visited me sew.
cral times during my imprisonment -
he viii send you my picture sal lock
( Of ms hair. The Sih Of June has been
appointed a. the day Of my dnth, and
I tomorrow will be- the Sch Of June. on
. which / avn ready to offer up my life
/ with greatest joy tor NY sins ! trust
to meet sou al in eternity, 10 u happier
and better place, aud this hope makes
me rejoice with ms whole heart vii
now close my letter With many ii4ofr'nd
( greetings to all of son | scud a most
heartfelt farewell May wc meet again
+ IN a better world.
"ANroN Pgousr. .
Joseph Wacoh,cr, who is alledci /,
10 the above lctlur, il the oaly person
/ known 10 bo connected with probst' )
/ family 10 America His sister is mar,
/ ricd To brother Of Probst 10 Germany
The letter to which Probst refers was
written 10 his parents on the 18th Of
April. soon after his arrest. He ac-
I knowlcdgcd in this letter that he had
! murdered an entire: family aud asks his
/ parents to forgive him, aud to pray for
him. sud then adds;
When only think how good and
Kind sou always were 70 nc, aud how
happy and comfortable always WAS
while was with you aud now | have
sunk 80 low here in the years of my
youth that I must die on the gallows
would desire but onomOrc hour TO spend
with yon, then | would willingly die. ~
/ When think 81 goa ut home, father,
=