Maryland free press., 1866-06-14
EXECUTION OF PRoBsT
His Last Moments and Letters-He
Dies Protesting Contritfon.

Deering family, was executed to day. Very few
were admitted TO witness the execution, although
there was large and excited outside interest
man Tested. .... ....
As the day approached no change whatever
was perccptible in Probst. He ate as heartily
and converscd as unconcernedly as when first re-
ceived into the prison.
During yesterday the Rev. A. N. Grunder,
pastor of the Church of st. Alphonsus, Was in
attendance upon the condemned man. He e1-
horted him earnestly to place his trust in his Re
deemer, and the wretched criminal appeared to
he devout and penitent. Early this morning
Rev. Mr.. G. was in attendance, together with
Rev. Peter NJ. Carbon, pastor Of Trinity Church,
Probst received the communion this morning,
having tasted for the purpose. The attending
clergymen then. engaged in prayer and exhorts-
tons with the prisoner, and continued these ex-
erciGes until the arrival of Sheriff Howell who
announced to Probst that he was about to ext
cute the sentence Of the law.
The preliminaries were proceeded with, and
having been concluded the prisoner, dressed in
a white vest and striped pantaloons, was led
from his cell, supported BY the Rev. Messrs.
Grunder and Carbon. He had o cruci6x in his
hand, which he repeatedly kissed on his way to
the gallows. On reaching the scaffold Probst as
cended with much 6rmness. After engaging in
prayer with the attending priest the sheriff hand,
cuIed him, and the moose rope. being adjusted
the white cap was drawn over his head AT pre-
cisely fifteen minutes before eleven O'Clock
Sheriff Howell drew the fatal cord, aud Probst
paid the penalty of his crimes The body fell
about three feet, and after spasmodic Jerking
of the legs and hands, which lasted two or thr,e
minutes, death resulted. ..s.t
Yesterday Probst wrote the following farewell
letter TO his parents in Germany.
PHILADELPHIA, June Ith ls66.-Dear Pqrents
BroIhers and Sisters:-l do not know whether
or not you received my last letter, In which
sent yon the sad intelligence of my fate. de-
sire TO write TO you once again to inform you how
have spent my time here in prison. have now
spent eight weeks in this cell, and have endeavor-
ed 10 prepare for my death as well us possibly
could. The clergyman has visited me every day
and has Instructed Inc WELL have several tim q
confessed and received holy communion; besides
this, many prayers are offered up for me through
out the entire city, AMI there ore am nov 90
cheerful and consolcd that I can gladly offer NV
life as an atoncment for my fearful crime.
trust that you also will be consoled and chcerft,
as / am. ... .si... ......
The clergymen will send you all the particulars
ofmy death. only entrcate you all to pray for
me- Have the holy sacrifice of the mass offered
up frequentlyi-io the repose ofmy poor soul.
Joseph Waecher has also visited me several times
during my imprisonment. He will send you my
picture and lock of my hair. The 9Th Of June
has been appointed as the day of my death, and
Tomorrow will he the sth of June, ON which
am r,aly TO offer up my life with greatest ioy for
my sins. trust to meet you all in eternity. in
happier aud better place, and this hope makss
me rejoice with my whole hears | will now
close my letter with many thousand greetIups 10
all Of you. | send most heartfnl sarew.,,
May we meet again in better work.. .,a ,., ..
"ASroS PaoBsr."
Joseph Waechter, who is alluded to in the
"ooVe letter, is the only person known 10 bs
connected with Probsts family In America MI.
sister is married to q brother of Probst in Ger .
many. .-.... r....-.
lhe letter to which Probst refers was written
to his parents on the 18th of April, soon after hi.
arrest. He acknowledged in this letter that bs
had murdered an entire family, and asks his par.
ems TO forgive him. and to pray for him, and then
| adds: ... ..s.
Nv hen / only think how good and kind rou
always were TO me, and how happy and comfort
able always was while was with you and
now have sunk SO low here in the years of nv
youth that must die on the gallows, Iwould de.
sire but one more hour to spend with you, then
would. willingly die. When l think Of YOU at
nome, father, mother, brothers and little sister
Mary, my senses almost leave me-" -sY g..
-Thad. Stevens would consign the whole
South to the "Pententiary ofHeli." This figure
OF speech, says the New York Mp.. shows tho
'gnanimity and large heartednesslof Thad-hs
would take the South to--his own bosom. ,,
Judging from the number and nastiness n;