Smyrna times., 1866-06-13
Execution of PrOhst.

Anton Probst, the murderer of the Deer
ing family, was hung at the Moyamensing Pris-
on, Philadelphia, on Friday last About 10
minutes OF ! / O'Clock the Sheriff proceeded to
the cell of Anton Probst and informed him
that he was about to fulfill that duty which the
law had imposed upon him. and that he had
been informed by his confessor that he was
ready. Probst looked at the Sheriff in q very
unconcerned manner, and replied, That IS
So: Immediately he was conducted from his
cell into the corridor and his march TO the
scaffold began. AS he passed from his cell
MIR. Clayton, one of the keepers, said to him,
"GOOd-bye, PrObst, and PrObst turning tow
ards him, with his eyes suifused with tears.
said I" Goodbye"
Thursday night he slept well and undisturb-
Ell. During his entire confinement, PrObst re-
peatedly stated that he was not only willing,
but anxious, to deliver up his life upon the gal
lows as sacrifice to outraged law. lie expect
ed no pardon, he desired none On Thursday
afternoon, while IN converse with Father Grund-
ner, his spiritual adviser, he said Father, |
wish that | could suffer as nv Saviour did upon
the cross. L have been such a great sinner
that wish to suffer all | can for nv crime
lie wrote Il letter to his parents, in Gcrma-
N.Y.. on Thursday, telling them that he was TO
anxious to die for his great sin The letter
closes thus:
trust to meet you all in eternity, in hap
pier and better place, and this hope makes me
rejoice with my whole heart
will now close my letter with many thous-
and greetings to all of you
send most heartfelt farewell May we
meet again, in better world
As they approached the scaffold, the priests
endeavorlng to cheer the condemned in his last
moments. Father Grundner, in solemn
voice, says, Jesus Mary and Joseph. Jesus,
my saviour, have mercy on me !" Probst,
noddlng his head and fervently kissing the cru
clhX, replies IN tremulous voice, Amen"
The scatfold Is now reached, and the specta-
tors silently gather around it, while the Shcr-
III, Probst and his spiritual advisers, and Supcr-
lntendent Perkins, ascend the steps. Pr1Lst
is firm and determined. A dead silence now
preyadeS the assembly, and the criminal. fur
lively gazing upon the spectators says, in a
tremulous and almost inaudibc voice. :" For .
give me- as hope that God will forgive me
am sorry Tor what | have done; thank YOU
0ihcers OF the prison, and friends. for all the
kindness you have shown to me.
At the conclusion of this speech. Probst and
his spiritual advisers knclt down, and the
priests repeated to him the Acts of Faith.
Hope, Charity, aud Contrition, to which he
responded Amen At this time I'robst
seemed wholly absorbed in his religious devo-
tons. Only once did he take his eyes off of :
the crucltix and gaze into the blue sky above
him, as If taking his last look Of all that was
lovely and beautiful in this world His lips
twltched violently at times andit was apparent
that he was endeavoring by strong effort of
the will to keep down his emotion
Father Grunder, turning to him, said, "Je-
sus, III Thee live, in Thee | die ; | am Thine
in lite and death" Probst, in a clear and dis :
tinct voice repeated these words and then. with
great devotion, kissed the crucilix three times,
his eyes being suffuSed with tears. The cruci
TX was then taken from him as he kissed it for
he last time, and the priests bade him good
)ye; lie kissed the hands of both priests. and =,
Is they retired to the steps of the galows. the ,
Sheriff stepped forward to adjust the rope ,
he moose this hands having been hand-cutfed t,
behind his back was placed quickly over his ,
leck. The Sheriff placed the knot under the {
eft year, and having adjusted cotton cap :
wei, his face, left the criminal. The priest !;
lowly said, Jesus, Mary and ,Joscph-thc :
rap tell with sullen bound, and at fourteen :
minutes Of II o clock, Anton Probst hung =
he body was conveyed to the Jefferson Medi !"
al College, where experiments will be made
pOn it.